Folsom City Council Meeting – May 26, 2026

The Folsom City Council held a regular meeting on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, starting at approximately 2:45 PM. The agenda included public hearings on staffing vacancies and a new Community Facilities District, old business items on the Tourism Business Improvement District and potential ballot measures for charter amendments, several new business items including park plans and infrastructure projects, and a detailed presentation of the proposed FY2026-27 operating and capital budgets. The meeting lasted into the evening, with extensive discussion on fiscal sustainability, cost recovery for parks and recreation programs, and the city's long-term financial challenges.

Consent Calendar

• The council unanimously adopted the consent calendar (5-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Sherry Richter and Peggy Plett invited the council and public to Black Bear Awareness Weekend on June 6–7, 2026, featuring zoo exhibits and demonstrations on bear-proof camping. They also promoted Honeybee Day in August.
• Donovan Rizzo and his father Hermano spoke about their sister-city exchange experience between Folsom and Pieve del Grappa, Italy. Donovan, a student from Italy, thanked the Aquino family for hosting him and highlighted the cultural exchange. Hermano encouraged strengthening ties and welcomed Folsom students to stay in Pieve del Grappa.
• Tom Asituno, former council member and charter review committee member, presented detailed campaign finance data from the 2022 and 2024 elections. He argued that the current $150 individual contribution limit is too low to help candidates compete against independent expenditure PACs, which often spend more money than candidates raise. He recommended raising the limit to $500-$750 and urged the council to include this measure on the ballot alongside other charter amendments.

Discussion Items

• AB 2561 Public Hearing (Vacancies, Recruitment, Retention) – HR Director Alison Garcia reported an average citywide vacancy rate of 6% for calendar year 2025, with Folsom Middle Management Group (FMMG) and unrepresented/confidential positions at 12%. The city filled 47 vacancies through new hires and 39 through internal promotions. Average time to hire was 100 days. Jameson Larson, FMMG president, noted improvement from 17% to 12% vacancy and emphasized the need for continued retention efforts, including non-financial incentives.
• Formation of CFD 24 – Alder Creek West – CFO Stacey Tamani presented the new Community Facilities District with four improvement areas, covering 1,424 total residential units. The special tax includes a facility component (annual 2% increase, $2,500–$5,700 per unit) and a services component (CPI-adjusted, $400–$977 per unit). After bond repayment, a transition tax would continue at 50% of facility tax plus service tax to fund long-term infrastructure replacement. The public hearing was opened and closed with no written protests. Landowner ballots were unanimously in favor (100% in each area).
• Tourism Business Improvement District (TBID) Amendment – The council considered authorizing the city manager to execute an amendment implementing a supplemental 4% assessment. Discussion centered on subcommittee appointments: Vice Mayor Rohrbaugh and Councilmember Leary were appointed as city representatives to the TBID Capital Improvement Committee, with the understanding that appointments will follow the usual process for regional boards in the future. The resolution passed 5-0.
• Potential Ballot Measures for 2026 Election – The council debated three proposed charter amendments: (1) changing city attorney appointment from city manager to city council, (2) amending Section 4.07 to clarify that all boards and commissions are advisory to the council, and (3) increasing campaign contribution limits from $150 to a higher amount. After Tom Asituno’s presentation and council discussion, a motion was made to place all three measures on the November 2026 ballot with a $500 contribution limit. The motion passed 4-1 (Councilmember Aquino voted no).
• Jackrabbit Hill Park Master Development Plan – Park Planning Manager Brad Nelson presented the plan for an 11-acre neighborhood park in the Folsom Plan Area, with a total cost estimate of $8.7 million (construction plus soft costs and contingency). Amenities include parking, restroom, playgrounds, pickleball courts, basketball court, shaded picnic areas, walking trails, and nature areas. The council approved the plan 5-0.
• Corporation Yard Site Planning & Environmental Assessment – Public Works Director Rebecca Beck presented a $335,000 agreement with Griffin Structures for planning and environmental review of a new 36-acre corporation yard south of White Rock Road. The existing yard dates to the 1960s and is at the end of its useful life. Funding is available from impact fees; construction is estimated at $50 million with a funding gap. The council approved the resolution 5-0.
• SB1 Road Repair and Accountability Act Projects List – Street Operations Manager Ryan Chance presented three projects for FY2026-27: Greenback Lane culvert replacement, bridge preventative maintenance, and Central Business District storm drain realignment. The resolution was approved 5-0.
• FY2026-27 Proposed Budget Presentation – City Manager Brian and CFO Stacey Tamani presented the proposed $124.4 million general fund budget (revenues up $4.4 million from prior year). The budget projects a $51,000 surplus and maintains a 20% reserve. Key challenges include flat sales tax growth, flattening property tax north of Highway 50, rising pension and retiree health costs, and significant deferred maintenance. Parks and Recreation Director Kelly Gonzalez and staff presented a detailed analysis of cost recovery for recreation programs, aiming to increase overall cost recovery from 64% to 70% over two years. Councilmember Aquino expressed concern about the zoo’s rising subsidy (budgeted $2.8 million in expenses, up $267,000) and said he could not support the budget without addressing that trend. Councilmember Leary and others requested additional details on contracts, liabilities, and vehicle replacement policy. No formal action was taken; the budget will be discussed further at a public hearing on June 9.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar: Adopted 5-0.
• CFD 24 – Alder Creek West: Unanimously approved all five resolutions (forming district, deeming bonded indebtedness, calling election, declaring results, and ordinance introduction) – all votes 5-0.
• TBID Amendment: Approved (5-0) with Vice Mayor Rohrbaugh and Councilmember Leary appointed to the capital improvement committee.
• Charter Amendment Ballot Measures: Motion passed (4-1) to place three measures on the November 2026 ballot: (1) city attorney appointment by council, (2) advisory boards clarification, (3) campaign contribution limit raised to $500.
• Jackrabbit Hill Park Plan: Approved (5-0).
• Corporation Yard Agreement: Approved (5-0).
• SB1 Projects List: Approved (5-0).
• Budget: No formal action; public hearing set for June 9, 2026. Council will submit questions to staff for compilation and response.

Note on Data Discrepancies

• Councilmember Aquino disputed Tom Asituno’s claim that only 26 donors gave $150 in 2022, stating he knew from personal experience it was more. Asituno stood by his data from city clerk records but acknowledged possible omission of some reports. The summary reflects both positions but does not resolve the discrepancy.