City Treasurer James Ward, left, shakes hands with Mayor Steve Bird after the Mayor Candidates Forum sponsored by the Dixon Chamber of Commerce.

DIXON, CA (MPG) - School partnerships, a budget deficit, how to attract and retain police officers and firefighters, and tax increases were just some of the topics covered at last week’s Mayor Candidates Forum hosted by the Dixon Chamber of Commerce and held at City Hall. Herb Cross served as Moderator and Tiffany Fabiani-Renger served as Timer.

Mayor Steve Bird and City Treasurer Jim Ward, who are both running for Dixon’s top spot on the City Council, answered a myriad of questions from citizens during the nearly two-hour presentation although during the first half, there were technical difficulties for those watching online via Zoom, which were about a dozen. About 40 residents attended in person.

School Partnership

When asked how the future looked for shared facilities with Dixon Unified School District, Bird said a lot of trouble started with the theater not being taken care of when the city has a joint shared agreement. He blamed the former administration, labeling them as “dysfunctional” but was cautiously optimistic about recent staff changes.

“Now, it is a new beginning, and the relationship is very positive now. We’re working together on the shared facilities use and I’m looking forward to shared opportunities,” he said.

Ward said there was a need for one more School Resource Officer and was concerned about social media, bullying, and weapons on campus.

“We need to work together and expand services,” he said.

Local Business

One question from the audience was how they saw helping local businesses.

Ward pointed to the voluminous City Code as a deterrent to investment and expressed concern about the vast development planned for the Northeast Quadrant that could possibly force out the Campbell company which he noted had just purchased several other major companies. He specifically wanted to encourage the expansion of the Campbell company.

Bird instead focused on the consumer side and encouraged being a “good ambassador and selling Solano.”

“Events like concerts at the Pardi Plaza and various community events like the Wine Stroll and the Beer Fest draws not only our own residents but out of town residents to local businesses like Winters does,” he added.

Both men were asked about their vision for the future and did not seem much different from each other but to finish current projects, bring in a new grocery store, and completion of the Parkway Overpass, for example.

Where for Windfall?

When Ward was asked if the city received a hypothetical $10 million “windfall,” what he would do with it, he echoed a refrain from his time as City Treasurer, saying he would rebuild the city reserves which have been depleted over the last several years.

“You never know about a natural disaster and keeping reserves at a higher level gives you a cushion. We don’t want to go bankrupt like Vallejo did,” he added. “Some would have to go to new fire department staff.”

Bird responded that with a $10 million windfall, he’d like to see something like “an indoor sports arena…more entertainment…funding for the fire department…and finishing the Parkway overcrossing.”

Sales Tax Increase

Both men had answers to whether or not they supported the one-cent sales tax measure and where the sales tax money should go if Measure J passed in November.

Bird said it was up to the voters and he supports it. He pointed to the need to increase wages for City jobs, mainly police and fire.

“We have some serious issues to deal with…We must be prepared for our future in all facets of our governance,” said Ward who also agreed it was necessary and he supports it but repeated twice that it should have been a “restrictive fund.”

For a full recording of the forum, Tiffany Fabiani-Renger posted it on her Facebook site. Election Day will be Tuesday, Nov. 5.