Marin County Measures

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“Measure B is 45% smaller than the last measure proposed and will provide $289 million in locally controlled funding that is equitably distributed to specific projects at each high school. The state does not fund facility improvements so upgrades to local high schools require local funding. Without Measure B, funds would have to be diverted from teaching and classroom instruction to urgent roof and HVAC repairs for schools to function.”

“While identifying only $80 million in ‘critical’ needs for roofs and HVAC earlier this year, now they redefine everything they want as a critical need. That balloons the bond measure to $289 million ($579.2 million with interest). Much of what they deem ‘critical’ is of their own creation — deferring maintenance while funding 10 new senior administrator positions. Students deserve that money directed back to their education.”

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“While we love our local schools, many of them do not meet modern safety standards. School facility experts, architects, and engineers have identified that Kentfield Schools need basic repairs and maintenance to keep our schools functioning and our students and staff safe. Your Yes vote on E ensures that all Kentfield School District schools can maintain the high quality of education our students deserve.”

“Voters approved KSD’s $30 million bond measure in 2014 and another $11.6 million in 2004. They’re still on your tax bill. Measure E adds to your taxes another $290 per $1 million assessed value on top of $257 per $1 million from the prior two bonds. Seniors and low-income people are not exempt. KSD’s 2024–25 parcel tax of nearly $1,800 is among California’s highest.”

“Measure G will support quality educational programs for children pre-K through eighth grade, which are critical years for children to acquire the basics. The tax is as fair as possible. It’s assessed at a modest 15 cents per square foot, so owners of condos and small homes pay less than owners of mansions and commercial properties. There is also an exemption for seniors with low incomes.”

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“The elected town clerk doesn’t need to possess any specific skills or experience — the only legal requirements are being over 18 and a Fairfax resident, potentially leading to inefficiencies and increased burdens on other staff members who must assist with the clerk’s duties. Appointing the town clerk would allow screening of qualified candidates, increase efficiency through the clerk’s ability to share day-to-day duties, and save taxpayers money in election costs.”

“The Fairfax Staff Report written by the Town Manager & Attorney claims: ‘Inefficiencies of an Elected Town Clerk: Limited candidate pool and requiring the Town Clerk to be a Fairfax resident significantly limits the pool of qualified candidates.’ Fairfax has never had a problem finding a qualified electable candidate. Fairfax residents Frances Lestenguet and Judy Anderson were elected and served as town clerks for over 40 years combined.”

“These extreme ordinances passed by Fairfax Town Council will not help affordability or increase the availability of rental housing. These ill-conceived and divisive rent control ordinances make evicting disruptive renters and roommates nearly impossible, threatening community safety, and neighborhood peace. Many homeowners are now reluctant or unwilling to rent ADU’s or single rooms due to the extreme eviction protections passed by Fairfax Town Council.”

“Fairfax’s current rent control laws guarantee a fair return for landlords, help working families stay in their homes, and don’t impact homeowners. We carefully crafted our local rent control ordinances with all constituents in mind. These laws prevent neighbors from being priced out and include safeguards against arbitrary evictions for seniors, disabled residents, teachers, and families with school-age children.”

“Fairfax has the worst roads in Marin County. Decades of deferred maintenance have rendered the town’s ‘pay-as-you-go’ strategy ineffective. This problem grows more expensive each year we delay. Measure J provides a fiscally responsible solution to address this critical need.”

“California is facing a tax tsunami. The town of Fairfax is trying to ride that wave despite clear signs that its residents are drowning. Many Fairfaxians are increasingly challenged to stay in their homes. Most of us have already lost friends and children to exodus or homelessness.”

“We need real rent control in Larkspur that actually keeps families and seniors in their homes. Measure K will cap annual rent increases at 60% of inflation, making it sustainable for renters and fair for landlords. It prevents unfair evictions by requiring a ‘just cause’ to evict, like failure to pay rent, a breach of lease, or an owner moving into the unit.”

The fact is, rent control does not lower rents, create a single new unit of affordable housing, or address homelessness. Even City Hall notes policies like Measure K could reduce existing housing units by reducing turnover, and that rental units are likely to be removed from the market should Measure K pass. Net result: diminished housing supply and skyrocketing prices.”

“Voting Yes on Measure L will immediately fund three essential areas for investment: public safety, building maintenance, and community well-being. By reducing our risk from catastrophic wildfire, flooding, landslides, and sea level rise, we can protect our families from the devastating effects of climate change. By addressing the maintenance of city-owned buildings, we can make sure residents of Mill Valley enjoy our community center and library for decades to come.”

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“Even with Measure M, Novato’s sales tax rate will be the same or less than neighboring communities like San Rafael and Petaluma. Essential purchases like groceries and prescription medicine are exempt. Sales tax is paid by anyone shopping in Novato, not just residents.”

“Novato is a financial mess. A 2023 Marin Civil Grand Jury found Novato’s actions ‘to the detriment of Novato and its residents.’ To recoup those squandered millions, Novato now proposes a regressive sales tax, asking approval of the maximum allowable. Forever. This 0.75% sales tax increase will provide $10.3 million in 2025 (growing over time), even though its budget deficit is $4 million.”

“Measure N keeps our community strong by applying local rent control to San Anselmo’s medium-to-large-sized rental properties. Local rent control is a time-tested tool that keeps young families, essential workers, and fixed-income seniors in place. Hundreds of thousands of renters across the Bay Area are protected by local rent control, with people-first policies that limit increases to a percentage of inflation (CPI). San Anselmo renters deserve such protections.”

“Measure N allows annual rent increases of only 60% of the local consumer price index. Without a tenant-specific meter it prohibits any utility pass-through to the tenant irrespective of the extent of the tenant’s utility use. It also prohibits pass-through of insurance increases. Utility and insurance costs have skyrocketed. Forcing landlords to absorb all these increased costs is neither balanced nor fair.”

“California law outlines specific circumstances that allow landlords to evict tenants even when rent is paid on time and lease requirements are upheld. Measure O alleviates the significant financial strain and emotional stress of an unexpected move, especially for fixed-income seniors and families with school-aged children. Measure O provides renters facing no-fault evictions with longer relocation timelines, expanding minimum notice from 30 to 90 days. This is a critical buffer in Marin’s rental market.”

“Our mom-and-pop landlords aren’t gouging, corporate monsters. Ninety-seven percent of rental units in San Anselmo are locally and family owned. Local landlords provide essential housing for renters who could not otherwise afford to live in our community. Unfair evictions have never been a problem in San Anselmo. To maintain rentals in our community we must allow landlords the ability to fairly evict tenants. Measure O would make evictions unfairly expensive.”

“With library use rising, the 115-year-old facility is cramped and dilapidated — far too small to serve as a modern library. It does not meet current earthquake, fire, and safety standards. Options for expansion are impractical — a new vision is required. San Rafael students rely on libraries for quiet and safe spaces to read, study, complete homework, and receive tutoring. Young children benefit from literacy programs and story time.”

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“A Yes vote will not raise taxes. A No vote will not reduce taxes. A Yes vote simply increases the district’s appropriations to equal the existing tax revenue. This enables the district to pay for fire protection and ambulance services. If Measure Q fails, the district budget will have to be cut back by a significant amount.”

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“Growing challenges have required Stinson Beach Fire Protection District to use budget reserves to hire professional firefighters and sustain the high-quality service our community deserves. However, these funds are depleting, and the future of Stinson Beach Fire is in jeopardy. That’s why we need Measure R. It will help Stinson Beach Fire Protection District attract and retain professional firefighters equipped to handle natural disasters, fires, and medical emergencies, ensuring swift, high-quality lifesaving response.”

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