City of Fairfield
Sales Tax Measure Tracking Survey
Results Presentation
May 2026
Opinion Research on
Elections and Public Policy
PROBOLSKY RESEARCH
100 Pine Street, Suite 1250 San Francisco CA 94111
Newport Beach
(949) 855-6400
San Francisco
(415) 870-8150
Washington DC
(202) 559-0270
City of Fairfield – Sales Tax Measure Tracking Survey
Survey Methodology*
1 Survey Details
Mode Phone (landline and mobile)
Online (email and text to web)
Language English and Spanish
Length 15 minutes
Target
Respondents
City of Fairfield likely 2026 General Election voters
Survey Fielding April 29 – May 6, 2026
Margin of Error +/-5%
Survey
Participants
400
Sample
The sample was developed from the voter files originally compiled by the Solano County Registrar of Voters. We
matched the demographics of City of Fairfield likely 2026 General Election voters.
Data Collection Explained
Interviews were conducted with live interviewers by phone (33%) and online survey methods (66%). Phone
participants were interviewed through landline (25%) and mobile (75%) calls. Online participants were invited by email (50%) and text message (50%) to access the survey by computer, tablet, or smart phone.
Respondents in all modes chose their preferred language, English (95%) and Spanish (5%).
Security measures precluded individuals from completing the survey more than once.
*Due to rounding, totals shown on charts may not add up to 100% Probolsky Research is a Latina- and woman-owned market and opinion research firm with corporate, election, government, and nonprofit clients.
Question 1: In your own words, what do you feel is the most important issue facing Fairfield today? [OPEN ENDED QUESTION]*
2 21.3%
12.0%
10.3%
8.3%
8.0%
7.8%
6.0%
5.5%
4.5%
3.8%
1.5%
1.0%
1.0%
1.0%
1.0%
0.8%
0.8%
0.5%
0.5%
3.3%
0.3%
0.5%
0.8%
Homelessness
Jobs/Economy
Public safety/Drugs/Crime
Cost of living/Inflation/Affordability
Transportation /Traffic/Roads
Housing affordability
Over population/Controlling growth/Development
Government
Spending/Budget
Lack of entertainment/Shopping/Amenities
Education/Schools/Higher education
Environmental issues
Healthcare
Moral issues
Taxes
Poverty
Police brutality/Racial injustice
Water/Drought
Immigration/Illegal immigration
Other
Nothing/None
Unsure
N/A/Refused
*Open-ended responses reflect what is top of mind for voters without prompts. Results may appear lower in percentage, but still highlight the most urgent and spontaneous concerns.
Homelessness stands out as the top-of-mind issue
mentioned in Fairfield
2026
34.5%
16.0%
8.3%
6.5%
6.0%
6.0%
5.0%
4.8%
3.0%
2.3%
1.5%
1.0%
1.0%
1.0%
2.5%
0.3%
0.5%
Homelessness
Public safety/Drugs/Crime
Over population/Controlling growth/Development
Housing affordability
Infrastructure/Transportation/Traffic/Roads
Quality of life/Community wellbeing
Government
Jobs/Economy
Inflation/High cost of living
Environmental issues
Moral issues
Education/Schools/Higher education
Poverty
Taxes
Other
Nothing/No issues
Unsure
2025
Question 2: How would you rate the overall quality of life in Fairfield? 3 50.0%
39.8%
8.5%
1.8%
Good Fair Poor Unsure
90% rate the overall quality of life in Fairfield as
good or fair
89.8%
48.0% 50.0%
41.5% 39.8%
10.3% 8.5%
0.3% 1.8%
2025 2026
Good
Fair
Poor
Unsure
Question 3: What are your top sources for news and information about Fairfield? Select all that apply. 4 44.5%
39.8%
39.5%
26.8%
23.3%
13.0%
12.8%
10.5%
5.5%
2.8%
10.8%
2.5%
2.3%
Local news channels
Friends/Family/Neighbors – word of mouth
City's social media pages
Daily Republic
City's website, www.fairfield.ca.gov
Local radio station
City newsletters
Fairfield weekly newsletter
The Reporter
Vallejo Times-Herald
Something else
Nothing
Unsure
Local news channels and word of mouth are the
top sources of information about Fairfield
Question 4: Please indicate which, if any, of these social apps and websites you use regularly. Select all that apply. 5 61.3%
42.3%
36.0%
34.0%
17.3%
14.0%
10.5%
5.8%
4.3%
2.5%
1.8%
7.5%
2.8%
Facebook
YouTube
Instagram
Nextdoor
Linkedin
X
Reddit
Threads
Snapchat
Bluesky
Other
Nothing
Unsure
Facebook is the top app/website used regularly by
voters
Question 5: In general, are you satisfied or unsatisfied with the job the City of Fairfield is doing providing services to residents? 6 58.5%
38.0%
3.5%
Satisfied Unsatisfied Unsure
59% are satisfied with the job the City is doing
providing services to residents
56.5% 58.5%
39.0% 38.0%
4.5% 3.5%
2025 2026
Satisfied
Unsatisfied
Unsure
Question 6: Are you satisfied or unsatisfied with the firefighting, medical aid, emergency preparedness, and rescue services provided by the Fairfield Fire Department? 7 81.0%
7.3%
11.8%
Satisfied Unsatisfied Unsure
81% are satisfied with the services provided by the
Fairfield Fire Department
83.3% 81.0%
8.0% 7.3%8.8% 11.8%
2025 2026
Satisfied
Unsatisfied
Unsure
Question 7: Are you satisfied or unsatisfied with the public safety services provided by the Fairfield Police Department? 8 70.3%
22.5%
7.3%
Satisfied Unsatisfied Unsure
70% are satisfied with the services provided by the
Police Department
68.5% 70.3%
25.0% 22.5%
6.5% 7.3%
2025 2026
Satisfied
Unsatisfied
Unsure
Question 8: Are you satisfied or unsatisfied with the services provided by the City of Fairfield Public Works Department, including street maintenance, street sweeping, traffic signals and streetlights, sidewalks/trees, and stormwater/drainage? 9 59.3%
38.5%
2.3%
Satisfied Unsatisfied Unsure
59% are satisfied with the services provided by the
Public Works Department
60.0% 59.3%
39.0% 38.5%
1% 2.3%
2025 2026
Satisfied
Unsatisfied
Unsure
Question 9: Are you satisfied or unsatisfied with how the City maintains parks and recreation facilities? 10 67.5%
25.0%
7.5%
Satisfied Unsatisfied Unsure
68% are satisfied with how the city maintains
parks and recreation facilities
62.0% 67.5%
28.3% 25.0%
9.8% 7.5%
2025 2026
Satisfied
Unsatisfied
Unsure
Providing effective public safety, responding to homelessness, and maintaining streets are the most important issues for voters
Question 13: Now we have a list of issues that may be relevant to residents of Fairfield. Please select all the ones that are very important to you personally. 11 65.3%
59.0%
55.5%
47.0%
42.5%
39.8%
36.3%
35.8%
33.5%
31.8%
16.0%
14.0%
8.5%
Providing effective public safety, including 911 emergency… Responding to homelessness
Maintaining streets, sidewalks, and crosswalks
Managing city finances
Keeping local taxes low
Managing growth and development
Improving traffic flow
Maintaining facilities and services for youth and seniors Maintaining parks and recreation facilities
Preparing for disasters like earthquakes, flooding, and wildfires Creating new open spaces and parks
Supporting local non-profits
Other
Question 14: Thinking of the same list of issues, please select all the ones that you are personally satisfied with. 12 44.3%
31.3%
19.3%
18.8%
18.5%
11.0%
10.0%
10.0%
8.8%
8.3%
8.0%
8.0%
1.0%
14.3%
8.0%
Providing effective public safety, including 911 emergency… Maintaining parks and recreation facilities
Maintaining streets, sidewalks, and crosswalks
Preparing for disasters like earthquakes, flooding, and wildfires Maintaining facilities and services for youth and seniors Creating new open spaces and parks
Supporting local non-profits
Improving traffic flow
Managing growth and development
Managing city finances
Responding to homelessness
Keeping local taxes low
Other
None of these
Unsure
Voters are most satisfied with public safety
services
Question 13: Now we have a list of issues that may be relevant to residents of Fairfield. Please select all the ones that are very important to you personally.
Question 14: Thinking of the same list of issues, please select all the ones that you are personally satisfied with. 13 The largest gap between importance and satisfaction
is in responding to homelessness at 65%
59.0%
47.0%
55.5%
42.5%
39.8%
36.3%
65.3%
35.8%
31.8%
16.0%
14.0%
33.5%
8.0%
8.3%
19.3%
8.0%
8.8%
10.0%
44.3%
18.5%
18.8%
11.0%
10.0%
31.3%
Responding to homelessness
Managing city finances
Maintaining streets, sidewalks, and crosswalks
Keeping local taxes low
Managing growth and development
Improving traffic flow
Providing effective public safety, including 911 emergency medical/Police/Fire response
Maintaining facilities and services for youth and seniors Preparing for disasters like earthquakes, flooding, and wildfires Creating new open spaces and parks
Supporting local non-profits
Maintaining parks and recreation facilities
Importance Satisfaction
51.0%
38.7%
36.2%
34.5%
31.0%
26.3%
21.0%
17.3%
13.0%
5.0%
4.0%
2.2%
Delta
Now please consider the following ballot measure that will come before Fairfield voters this year. Please indicate if you would vote yes, or vote no.
Question 15: To prevent cuts to Fairfield’s Fire and Police Departments, maintain rapid responses to 911 emergencies, strengthen public safety by preserving neighborhood patrols, fix potholes and repair neighborhood streets, and for general government use, shall Fairfield’s Measure P be renewed and extended, until ended by voters, and increase the rate by one cent per dollar, adding approximately twenty two million dollars annually, with strict accountability, annual audits, citizen oversight, and all funds staying in Fairfield? 14 59.8%
27.5%
12.8%
Vote yes Vote no Unsure
Initial vote: The measure has majority support
55.3% 59.8%
36.5%
27.5%
8.3%
12.8%
2025 2026
Vote yes
Vote no
Unsure
Now we have some additional information about the potential ballot measure. Please consider each message and indicate whether it makes you more likely to vote yes or more likely to vote no on the proposed sales tax increase. If it makes no difference to you, just say so.
Question 18: Every dollar generated by this sales tax measure would stay and be used in Fairfield and cannot be taken by the state or federal government. Does knowing this make you more likely to vote yes or more likely to vote no on the proposed sales tax increase? 15 58.3%
19.0%
16.0%
6.8%
More likely to vote yes
Makes no difference to me
More likely to vote no
Unsure
20.9%
39.1%
35.5%
4.5% More likely to vote yes
Makes no difference to
me
More likely to vote no
Unsure
43.1%
11.8%
13.7%
31.4%
More likely to vote yes
Makes no difference to
me
More likely to vote no
Unsure
initially vote no
initially said unsure
58% are more likely to vote yes knowing that every dollar from the sales tax would stay in Fairfield and couldn’t be taken by the state or federal government
Now we have some additional information about the potential ballot measure. Please consider each message and indicate whether it makes you more likely to vote yes or more likely to vote no on the proposed sales tax increase. If it makes no difference to you, just say so.
Question 19: This sales tax measure will require independent citizens oversight, mandatory financial audits, and yearly reports to the community to ensure the funds are spent as promised. Does knowing this make you more likely to vote yes or more likely to vote no on the proposed sales tax increase? 16 53.8%
22.0%
18.8%
5.5%
More likely to vote yes
Makes no difference to me
More likely to vote no
Unsure
17.3%
40.9%
40.0%
1.8% More likely to vote yes
Makes no difference to
me
More likely to vote no
Unsure
45.1%
11.8%
19.6%
23.5%
More likely to vote yes
Makes no difference to
me
More likely to vote no
Unsure
initially vote no
initially said unsure
54% are more likely to vote yes knowing that the measure requires citizen oversight and financial audits
Now we have some additional information about the potential ballot measure. Please consider each message and indicate whether it makes you more likely to vote yes or more likely to vote no on the proposed sales tax increase. If it makes no difference to you, just say so.
Question 22: Sales tax is not charged on groceries, prescriptions or services. Does knowing this make you more likely to vote yes or more likely to vote no on the proposed sales tax increase?
17 41.5%
33.5%
18.8%
6.3%
More likely to vote yes
Makes no difference to me
More likely to vote no
Unsure
10.9%
49.1%
37.3%
2.7% More likely to vote yes
Makes no difference to
me
More likely to vote no
Unsure
33.3%
17.6%
25.5%
23.5%
More likely to vote yes
Makes no difference to
me
More likely to vote no
Unsure
initially vote no
initially said unsure
42% are more likely to vote yes knowing that sales tax is not charged on groceries, prescriptions or services
Now we have some additional information about the potential ballot measure. Please consider each message and indicate whether it makes you more likely to vote yes or more likely to vote no on the proposed sales tax increase. If it makes no difference to you, just say so.
Question 23: Without new revenue, the City’s cost-cutting options include park closures, fewer police patrols, fire station brownouts, reduced community events, and cuts to street and facilities maintenance. Does knowing this make you more likely to vote yes or more likely to vote no on the proposed sales tax increase? 18 52.3%
20.8%
19.8%
7.3%
More likely to vote yes
Makes no difference to me
More likely to vote no
Unsure
18.2%
38.2%
37.3%
6.4% More likely to vote yes
Makes no difference to
me
More likely to vote no
Unsure
31.4%
13.7%
25.5%
29.4%
More likely to vote yes
Makes no difference to
me
More likely to vote no
Unsure
initially vote no
initially said unsure
52% are more likely to vote yes knowing without added
revenue, the City may have to reduce patrols, close parks, brown out fire stations, and cut maintenance and events 19 Message Effectiveness
Positive messages Percent More Likely
to Vote Yes
Every dollar generated by this sales tax measure would stay and be used in Fairfield and cannot be taken by the state or federal government. 58.3%
This sales tax measure will require independent citizens oversight, mandatory financial audits, and yearly reports to the community to ensure the funds are spent as promised. 53.8%
Without new revenue, the City’s cost-cutting options include park closures, fewer police patrols, fire station brownouts, reduced community events, and cuts to street and facilities maintenance. 52.3% The City is operating under a budget deficit, and if the sales tax measure does not pass, the City would likely need to deplete reserves and eventually lay off employees to maintain fiscal stability. 45.0% Over the past few years, the City has taken many steps to be even more fiscally responsible. The City has reduced department budgets by more than 5% and frozen 25 vacant positions, including police officers. 44.0% Sales tax is not charged on groceries, prescriptions or services. 41.5% Measure P revenues go into the City’s General Fund and may be used for a wide range of services, including efforts to address homelessness. The City is also moving forward with projects such as Vista Ridge, for which the City received $23 million from the state of California to convert an existing hotel into permanent housing with support services for people experiencing homelessness.
37.8%
In the November 2024 election, 4 of 7 Solano County cities increased their sales tax. Vacaville is also considering a one-cent sales tax, and Fairfield’s current 8.375% is lower than in 5 of 7 nearby cities. 37.5% Knowing what you know now, if the election were held today, how would you vote on this ballot measure? Question 26: To prevent cuts to Fairfield’s Fire and Police Departments, maintain rapid responses to 911 emergencies, strengthen public safety by preserving neighborhood patrols, fix potholes and repair neighborhood streets, and for general government use, shall Fairfield’s Measure P be renewed and extended, until ended by voters, and increase the rate by one cent per dollar, adding approximately twenty two million dollars annually, with strict accountability, annual audits, citizen oversight, and all funds staying in Fairfield? 20 Informed vote: The measure retains majority
support
59.8%
27.5%
12.8%
58.5%
31.8%
9.8%
Vote yes Vote no Unsure
initial Informed initial initialInformed Informed
53.5% 58.5%
37.0% 31.8%
9.5% 9.8%
2025 2026
Vote yes
Vote no
Unsure
If there was an election in Fairfield today, would you vote yes or no on the following ballot measure? Question 29: Shall the office of the City Clerk for the City of Fairfield be appointive? 21 25.8%
32.5%
41.8%
Vote yes Vote no Unsure
42% are unsure about their vote for making the
City Clerk office appointive
23.5% 25.8%
35.3% 32.5%
41.3% 41.8%
2025 2026
Vote yes
Vote no
Unsure
Demographics
22 23
Respondent demographics by gender, age, ethnicity, years of residency, education, party and zip code
45.8%
54.3%
Male
Female
14.5%
8.0%
14.3%
27.3%
36.0%
18-29
30-39
40-49
50-64
65+
21.0%
44.5%
10.3%
5.8%
18.5%
Latino/Hispanic
White/Caucasian
Black/African American
Asian/Pacific Islander
Other
Gender Age Ethnicity Years of Residency Education Party Zip code
2.8%
4.3%
9.3%
17.8%
65.0%
1.0%
0-2 years
3-5 years
6-10 years
11-19 years
20+ years
Prefer not to answer
52.3%
25.5%
16.8%
5.5%
Democrat
Republican
No Party Preference
Other
62.3%
37.8%
No college
College
53.8%
45.0%
1.3%
94533
94534
94535
Questions?
Adam Probolsky, President
O: 949-855-6400 | M: 949-697-6726
E: [email protected]
Sergio Martinez, Senior Research Analyst
E: [email protected]
Opinion Research on
Elections and Public Policy
PROBOLSKY RESEARCH
100 Pine Street, Suite 1250 San Francisco CA 94111
Newport Beach
(949) 855-6400
San Francisco
(415) 870-8150
Washington DC
(202) 559-0270