Folsom · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Folsom public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Police Leadership
Folsom has a brand new top cop in town! Matt Davis is stepping up to lead the police department after the old chief packed up for Placer County.
Landscaping and Lighting District Deficits and Prop 218 Proceedings
The neighborhood's landscape and lighting district is $276,000 underwater and needs a new Prop 218 vote, likely meaning higher assessments. Residents formed a group to push for guardrails and a say in the engineer's report.
First quarterly capital projects report
A new quarterly snapshot of 50+ projects — the Highway 50 trail undercrossing, Riley Street sidewalks, a new Folsom Plan community park, sewer and water upgrades — showing departments coordinating to avoid tearing up streets twice.
FY 2026-27 City Budget and Long-Term Liabilities
Folsom dug out of a $3.49 million projected deficit through cuts and fee hikes, ending FY 2025-26 with a surplus — but the city manager warned aging pools, parks, and pipes still need hundreds of millions in investment.
Streamlined building permits and fee reduction
Simple permits like water heaters and EV chargers can soon be approved in hours through an automated system, and cost about $20 less. One resident flagged ADA/Section 508 accessibility compliance concerns.
E-Bike Safety and Regulatory Enforcement
Teens on fast e-bikes have been harassing park users, tearing up fields, and causing injuries, prompting a new ordinance with steeper fines, speed limits, and park bans starting at Prospector and Economy parks. A second reading and further debate on which parks to ban are still ahead.
Parkway Neighborhood Crack Seal Project
The council approved a nearly $2.86 million contract to resurface residential streets in Willow Creek and Empire Ranch, adding high-visibility school crosswalks and buffered bike lanes.
Historic Folsom Station and Granite House Parking & Development
The city updated its agreement with developers to replace ground-floor parking with retail and restaurant spaces at the Historic Folsom Station, activating the public plaza while extending performance timelines.
White Rock Road Emergency Culvert Replacement
Severe pavement settlement prompted an emergency repair project on White Rock Road to replace failing 50-year-old corrugated metal culverts and address groundwater issues.
Zoning Code Update and State Housing Laws
The city is updating its ADU ordinance to comply with state law while modifying design standards, such as staircase screening, to address neighborhood privacy concerns without violating objective standard mandates.
Prairie City Road Construction and Traffic Impacts
Folsom partnered with Sacramento County through an MOU and boundary realignments to coordinate future design, construction, and maintenance of Prairie City Road.
Micro-Enterprise Home Kitchen Operations (MICO) Opt-Out Recommendation
The council debated whether to support county authorization of home-based restaurants under AB 626, weighing entrepreneurship opportunities against potential neighborhood nuisance and zoning conflicts.
Tower Tank Rehabilitation and Water Infrastructure Maintenance
The city finalized a 16-month water vision study highlighting vulnerabilities like a single raw water pipeline from Folsom Dam. Officials discussed future priorities, including pipeline redundancy, water treatment plant upgrades, and regional partnerships.
Benevento Family Park Master Development Plan
The council debated and approved the master plan for Benevento Family Park, balancing neighborhood requests for active amenities like sports courts with site grading realities and budget constraints.
Fire Department Single-Role Ambulance Transport System & Engine 39 Restoration
Fire Chief Jason Solak updated the council on planned deployment model adjustments, data compliance standards, and the need to restore browned-out fire engines as funding allows.
Automated License Plate Readers (Flock Safety Cameras) Privacy Concerns
A resident raised privacy and accuracy concerns regarding the city's use of Flock Safety automated license plate reading cameras, urging a pause and review of the program.
City Attorney Appointment
Folsom officially has a new permanent city attorney! The city council voted to give Sari Dierking the top legal job.
November 2026 Ballot Measures and Charter Amendments
The city council advanced three measures for the November ballot addressing city attorney oversight, board and commission authority, and campaign contribution limits.
Folsom City Zoo Sanctuary Support and Operations
Numerous volunteers and docents spoke passionately about the value of the Folsom City Zoo Sanctuary, urging ongoing budget support and highlighting community engagement.
Historic District Municipal Code and CEQA Re-adoption
The council reviewed and re-adopted historic district regulations to streamline staff approvals while addressing community concerns regarding environmental review.
E-Bike Safety and Public Enforcement
Residents raised significant concerns regarding reckless e-bike behavior and vandalism, prompting updates on police enforcement and community safety efforts.
Municipal Energy Efficiency and Conservation Project
The city is partnering with Schneider Electric to audit and modernize public facilities for long-term energy savings and reduced operating costs.
Community Facilities District No. 24 (Alder Creek West) Formation
The city initiated the formation of a new community facilities district to fund backbone infrastructure and ongoing public safety and maintenance services for new development.
FY 25-26 Pavement Resurfacing Project
The council approved a nearly $2.86 million contract to resurface residential streets in Willow Creek and Empire Ranch, adding high-visibility school crosswalks and buffered bike lanes.
2025 Urban Water Management Plan Adoption
The council adopted the updated water management and shortage contingency plans, confirming reliable water supplies through 2050.
Ambulance Cost Recovery Program Fee Adjustment
The council approved increasing ambulance transport fees to bridge a funding gap and match regional averages, raising the base rate to $3,071.
New Corporation Yard Site Planning & Environmental Assessment
The city is moving forward with planning and environmental review for a new 36-acre corporation yard south of White Rock Road to replace the outdated 1960s facility.
Jackrabbit Hill Park Master Development Plan
The city approved the master plan for Jackrabbit Hill Park, an 11-acre neighborhood park in the Folsom Plan Area featuring sports courts, play areas, and gathering spaces.
Campaign Contribution Limits
The committee discussed raising individual campaign contribution limits from $150 to $750 to counter the influence of outside PAC money. The council agreed to separate this issue from the charter review for further discussion.
City Council Compensation and Automatic Increases
Residents expressed strong opposition to a proposed pay raise for city council members, citing poor timing, budget challenges, and optics during service reductions. Despite pushback, the council voted 4-2 to approve the salary increase.