ANNUAL STRATEGIC
PLANNING
WORKSHOP 2026
Town of Fairfax
February 13, 2026
OUTLINE
1. Team Building Activity
2. 2025 Accomplishments
Summary
3. 5 – 10 Year Goals
4. 2026 Goals
5. Measure C
6. Summary
Friday, February 13, 2026 2
TEAM BUILDING ACTIVITY
Compassionate Communication
with Andy Peri & Stephen Sulmeyer
2025 ACCOMPLISHMENTS SUMMARY
• Funded a new Police Department position through increased UUT revenue • Expanded PD patrol reach at Wall Property with new UTV • Secured grant funding for DPW and Recreation programs • Filled critical vacancies in DPW and PD
• Funded a $1.6M Fire Station upgrade using a County loan • Boosted community understanding of housing laws through surveys and workshops • Launched online business licensing, doubling registrations and revenue • Initiated major policy initiatives: BPAC, Dark Sky, ADU and Formula Business updates • Updated Building, Fire, and WUI codes
• Transitioned the Town to a secure .gov domain
• Navigated a special recall election and managed nine legal cases Friday, February 13, 2026 4
5-10 Year Priorities from 2025
Sustainability & Climate Resilience
Infrastructure & Facility Upgrades
Innovation & Technology Integration
Government Efficiency & Fiscal Responsibility
Public Safety & Community Well-being
Friday, February 13, 2026 5
2026
GOALS
Friday, February 13, 2026 6
Measure C Sales Tax
Set election timing and confirm tax rate strategy
Economic Vitality
Discuss the Chamber of Commerce Proposal
2026 Elections
Prepare for and collaborate with the County ROV on
the 2026 municipal elections
Policy Updates
Advance updates to the Tree Ordinance, Open
Space Ordinance, and Police Taser Policy
Infrastructure Planning
Prioritize road improvements and town facility
investments
WHAT IS MEASURE C?
•Measure C is the Town of Fairfax’s Transactions and
Use Tax (TUT), commonly referred to as a “sales tax”.
•Currently set at ¾% on taxable retail sales.
•Originally approved by voters in November 2016.
•Expires March 31, 2027, unless extended by voters.
•Revenues remain local to Fairfax.
PURPOSE OF MEASURE C
•General-purpose revenue source.
•Supports the Town’s General Fund.
•Provides stable funding for core municipal
services.
•Requires annual independent audits of revenues
and expenditures.
WHAT MEASURE C FUNDS
Measure C revenues are used for:
•Police and public safety services
•Street and infrastructure maintenance
•General Town services and operations
•Capital improvements
Friday, February 13, 2026 9
MEASURE C: KEY FACTS
•Tax type: Sales Tax
•Current rate: 0.75%
•Term length: 10 years (2017–2027)
•Voter approval in 2016: 76.63% YES
•Ballot threshold in 2016: Majority vote (50%)
MEASURE C
ANNUAL
REVENUE
Represents a significant ongoing
share of General Fund revenue.
Revenues fluctuate with local
and regional economic
conditions.
Fiscal Year 17-18 18-19 19-20 20-21 21-22 22-23 23-24 24-25 25-26 26-27 Budgeted Revenue 649,000 681,000 755,465 904,156 1,090,561 1,064,620 1,044,000 1,082,820 1,078,180 1,084,000 Friday, February 13, 2026 11
RENEWAL OPTIONS
The Council must decide:
1. Type of tax (General vs. Special)
2. Tax rate (3/4% or 1%)
¼% would yield approximately $300,000
3. Election date (June 2026 or November
2026)
4. Ballot language
GENERAL VS. SPECIAL TAX
General Tax Special Tax
Use of funds Any general purpose
Restricted to specified
purposes listed on
ballot
Voter approval
needed 50% 2/3
Friday, February 13, 2026 13
JUNE 2026 BALLOT OPTION
(STATE WIDE PRIMARY ELECTION)
Election date: June 2, 2026 (Statewide Primary)
General Tax:
• Requires unanimous Council vote (5–0).
• Council must make a finding of fiscal emergency.
• Advisory Measure (A) + General Tax (B) possible.
• Funds core services.
Special Tax:
• Requires 2/3 Council vote (4 affirmative votes).
• No fiscal emergency finding required.
• Limited to uses listed on the ballot.
Deadline for Council to place on ballot: March 6, 2026
Friday, February 13, 2026 14
NOVEMBER 2026 BALLOT OPTION
(GENERAL ELECTION)
• Election date: November 3, 2026
• General Tax:
• Requires 2/3 Council vote (4 affirmative votes).
• No fiscal emergency finding required.
• Special Tax:
• Requires 2/3 Council vote (4 affirmative votes).
• No fiscal emergency finding required.
Deadline for Council to place on ballot: August 7, 2026 Friday, February 13, 2026 15
VOTER APPROVAL THRESHOLDS
Tax Structure Tax Rate Decision Voter Approval
Required
General Tax Current Rate 50%
General Tax Increased Rate 50%
Special Tax Same or increased rate 2/3
Friday, February 13, 2026 16
WITHOUT MEASURE C FUNDING
• Tax authority expires March 31, 2027.
• Loss of a major General Fund revenue source.
• Potential impacts:
• Service reductions, including Police & DPW
• Deferred maintenance
• Budget instability
Friday, February 13, 2026 17
POLICY QUESTIONS
FOR TODAY
Friday, February 13, 2026 18
Should Measure C
remain a general tax?
Maintain current rate or
consider an increase?
June 2026 vs. November
2026 timing?
Community information
priorities?
Next Steps
NEXT STEPS
WITH
COUNCIL
DIRECTION
Friday, February 13, 2026 19
Develop Develop public information timeline.
Coordinate Coordinate with County Elections.
Schedule Schedule required Council actions.
Staff Direct staff to draft ballot language.
Select Select preferred tax structure and rate.