The mayor of Fairfield, CA is Catherine Moy, who was elected in November 2022 to a four-year term that runs through November 2026.1City of Fairfield. Mayor Catherine Moy Fairfield uses a council-manager form of government, so the mayor presides over city council meetings and represents the city publicly, but does not run day-to-day operations. That work belongs to the city manager.2City of Fairfield. Government
Who Catherine Moy Is
Moy first joined the Fairfield City Council in October 2008, appointed to fill the vacancy left by the death of Councilmember Frank Kardos. She was then elected to full council terms in 2009, 2014, and 2018 before winning the mayor’s seat in 2022.1City of Fairfield. Mayor Catherine Moy By the time she took the mayor’s chair, she had served roughly 14 years on the council.
Her career before politics was in journalism. She worked at the Daily Republic in Fairfield as a political and county reporter, feature columnist, and assistant city editor. From 2002 to 2008 she wrote as a columnist and freelance reporter for The Reporter in Vacaville and contributed to national magazines, earning awards from local, state, and national newspaper associations along the way.1City of Fairfield. Mayor Catherine Moy
What the Mayor Actually Does
Fairfield’s council-manager structure is one of the most common setups for mid-sized California cities, and it shapes what the mayor can and cannot do.2City of Fairfield. Government The council sets policy and passes ordinances. A professionally hired city manager handles operations, staffing, and the budget. The current city manager is David Gassaway.3City of Fairfield. Gassaway, David – Staff Directory
Under California Government Code, the mayor presides over council meetings.4Justia Law. California Government Code 36801-36815 But the mayor casts one vote, equal to every other councilmember. There is no veto. The mayor cannot independently hire or fire city employees, redirect department budgets, or override council decisions. Public works, public safety, parks, and utilities all answer to the city manager, who is hired by the council.5ICMA. What Professional City, Town, and County Managers Do
So where does the mayor’s influence live? Three places. In the council chamber, by chairing meetings and shaping which issues get on the agenda. In ceremonial work, by signing proclamations and representing Fairfield at civic events, which formalizes the city’s official positions. And in intergovernmental matters, by meeting with county, state, and federal officials, and sitting at regional tables where decisions on transportation, housing, and infrastructure get made. Those relationships can affect which projects reach Fairfield and which do not.
Practical takeaway: if you need a pothole fixed or a permit expedited, the city manager’s office is the operational authority, not the mayor.
The Council the Mayor Leads
Fairfield’s city council has seven members: the mayor plus six councilmembers elected from defined districts. The city moved from at-large to district elections starting in 2020, and the mayor is now the only citywide-elected official on the body.6General Code. Fairfield Municipal Code Chapter 2A Elections District seats are staggered so about half come up every two years, which keeps continuity on the council as individual members turn over.7City of Fairfield. Get to Know Your City Council
Because any ordinance or budget needs a majority of the full seven, the mayor’s agenda depends on building consensus. A mayor without council support has the chair, the gavel, and a single vote.
When the Next Mayoral Election Happens
Fairfield holds general municipal elections in November of even-numbered years.8City of Fairfield. Election Information The mayor serves a four-year term and is elected citywide, separate from the district council races.6General Code. Fairfield Municipal Code Chapter 2A Elections With Moy’s term running through November 2026, the next mayoral election falls in 2026.1City of Fairfield. Mayor Catherine Moy Results are certified by the Solano County Registrar of Voters, and the incoming mayor is sworn in at a council meeting in December following certification.
Can a Fairfield Mayor Be Removed Early?
Yes. California law gives voters a recall right over local elected officials. A recall begins with a petition stating the reasons for removal and collecting valid signatures from a required share of registered voters in the jurisdiction, typically in the range of 15 to 20 percent for a city of Fairfield’s size, depending on the current registration count.9California Secretary of State. Procedures for Recalling State and Local Officials
There are timing limits. A recall cannot be started during the first 90 days of a term, within six months after a prior recall election the official survived, or during the final six months of the term.9California Secretary of State. Procedures for Recalling State and Local Officials If enough valid signatures come in, the county schedules a recall election, where voters decide whether to remove the official and, in most cases, pick a replacement on the same ballot.