July 21, 2026
City Manager's Office
Finance Department
Fire Department
DATE: July 21, 2026
TO: Mayor Martinez and Members of the City Council
FROM:
Shasa Curl, City Manager
Aaron Osorio, Fire Chief
Emily Combs, Director of Finance
Subject:
Resolution Determining Necessity and Introduction of an Ordinance Ordering the Submission of a General
Obligation Bond Measure for Fire Station Improvements
FINANCIAL IMPACT: Adoption of the proposed Resolution Determining Necessity and introduction of the proposed ordinance do not authorize the issuance of debt or result in an
immediate fiscal impact. If approved by at least two-thirds of the voters at the November 3, 2026, General Municipal Election, the City would be authorized to issue up to $120 million in general obligation bonds to finance eligible fire station capital improvements. Debt service on the bonds would be repaid from an ad valorem property tax
approved by the voters and would not be paid from the
City's General Fund.
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
May 27, 2025
January 27, 2026
April 21, 2026
June 16, 2026
June 23, 2026
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
The City Council is being asked to adopt a resolution
determining that the public interest and necessity
demand the acquisition, construction, and improvement
of certain municipal improvement projects and to
introduce an ordinance ordering the submission of a
general obligation bond measure to the qualified voters of the City at the November 3, 2026, General Municipal
Election.
AGENDA
REPORT
July 21, 2026
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
ADOPT a resolution determining that the public interest and necessity demand the acquisition, construction, and improvement of certain municipal improvement projects
and their financing through the issuance of general
obligation bonds; and INTRODUCE an ordinance (first
reading) ordering the submission of a proposition
authorizing the issuance of general obligation bonds to the qualified voters of the City of Richmond at the
November 3, 2026 General Municipal Election – Fire
Department/Finance Department/City Manager’s Office
(Chief Aaron Osorio 510-307-8021/Emily Combs 510-
890-5534/Shasa Curl 510-620-6512).
DISCUSSION:
The City of Richmond has identified significant capital needs associated with its fire station infrastructure. Several fire stations require substantial rehabilitation, modernization, and seismic improvements to continue supporting reliable emergency response, firefighter safety, and the delivery of emergency medical services. Many of these facilities have exceeded their intended useful life and require significant investment to address deferred maintenance, replace deteriorating building systems, improve operational functionality, and enhance the City's ability to respond to emergencies.
City staff have evaluated potential funding options to address these long-term capital needs. Due to the magnitude of the anticipated improvements and the limited availability of existing funding sources, staff has determined that voter-approved general obligation bonds represent the most cost-effective financing mechanism available to fund these capital investments. General obligation bonds are commonly used by California local agencies to finance long-lived public infrastructure because they typically provide lower borrowing costs than other financing alternatives.
Under California Government Code Sections 43600 et seq. and the California Constitution, the City may issue general obligation bonds only upon approval by at least two-thirds of the voters voting on the proposition. Before a bond measure may be submitted to the voters, the City Council must first determine that the proposed improvements are required by the public interest and necessity and initiate the statutory proceedings necessary to place the measure on the ballot.
The proposed Resolution Determining Necessity makes the findings required under California law that the proposed fire station improvements are necessary to protect the public health, safety, and welfare, that existing funding sources are insufficient to finance the improvements, and that financing through the issuance of general obligation bonds is in the public interest. Adoption of the resolution initiates the statutory proceedings required to submit a general obligation bond measure to the voters.
July 21, 2026
The proposed Ordinance, introduced for first reading, orders the submission of the bond proposition to the qualified voters of the City at the November 3, 2026, General Municipal Election. The ordinance includes the full text of the proposed ballot measure, including the projects proposed to be financed, the maximum principal amount of bonds to be authorized, and other information required by California law.
NEXT STEPS:
If the City Council adopts the Resolution Determining Necessity and introduces the Ordinance, City staff will return to the City Council on July 28, 2026, for second reading and adoption of the ordinance and consideration of a resolution Calling the Election. If approved, the City will submit the required election materials to the Contra Costa County Elections Division in accordance with the statutory election calendar. If the measure is approved by at least two-thirds of the voters at the November 3, 2026, General Municipal Election, the City would be authorized to issue general obligation bonds to finance the approved fire station improvements.
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 – Resolution Determining Necessity
Attachment 2 – Ordinance Ordering Submission of a General Obligation Bond Measure Attachment 3 – Tax Rate Statement