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Parks Funding Measure One Step Closer to November Ballot

Selected highlights from the Board of Supervisors' agenda

Previews (upcoming items) and Reviews (a wrap-up) of the last Board meeting posted every Thursday on Patch.

Previews

There is no board meeting on July 31

Reviews

What happened at the Board meeting on July 24

  1. Parks Funding Measure One Step Closer to November Ballot
  2. Agreement with Ag Institute Regarding County “Christmas Tree Lot” Adopted
  3. $2 Million in Additional Appropriation Towards Civic Center Campus Improvements Authorized
  4. Changes to Immunization Fees One Step Closer to Adoption
  5. Garbage Collection Rates to Increase for Portions of Southern Marin
  6. Bolinas Lagoon Advisory Council Established
  7. Rush Creek District will Continue
  8. Interviews and/or Appointments Considered for Several Boards & Commissions

Reviews

1. Parks Funding Measure One Step Closer to November Ballot

On Wednesday, July 25, the Board held a special meeting and OK'd revisions to an ordinance and spending plan that will place a countywide quarter-cent sales tax increase on the November ballot to fund parks, open space and agricultural land preservation. On July 24, after hearing public commentary, the Board postponed the first reading of the ordinance to July 25 so that additional revisions could be made. A final hearing on the merits of the proposal will take place on August 7, which will be the final go-ahead before bringing the measure to the voters.

Need more info? See the Full Report on Parks Funding Measure

Contact: Katherine Jones, External Affairs Coordinator of Marin County Parks at kmjones@marincounty.org

2. Agreement with Ag Institute Regarding County “Christmas Tree Lot” Adopted

Following up on the July 10th workshop discussing various proposals around the Civic Center campus, the Board adopted a memorandum of understanding with the Agricultural Institute of Marin and set aside $1 Million towards the costs of potential improvements to the “Christmas tree lot” on the northwest end of the Civic Center campus.

Need more info? See the Full Report on Agricultural Institute of Marin Regarding the Christmas Tree Lot

Contact: David Speer, Facilities Planning & Development Manager at dspeer@marincounty.org

3. $2 Million in Additional Appropriation Toward Civic Center Campus Improvements Authorized

Following up on a July 10th workshop, the Board set aside $2 million towards the costs of various capital and infrastructure improvements, including accessibility upgrades, pedestrian and bicycle connections, and various other projects designed to improve the entire Civic Center Campus and surrounding areas.

Need more info? See the Full Report on Civic Center Campus Capital Improvements

Contact: David Speer, Facilities Planning & Development Manager at dspeer@marincounty.org

4. Changes to Immunization Fees One Step Closer to Adoption

The Board took the first step in authorizing a change in the fee that is charged for immunizations to ensure they are consistent with Medi-Cal reimbursement rates. Federal law prohibits clinics from charging clients less than the amount paid by Medi-Cal for that service. The current fee to administer a vaccine to those with an ability to pay is $10, and staff proposes to increase that fee to $17. A hearing on the merits of the proposal has been scheduled for August 7th.

Need more info? See the Full Report on Revised Immunization Fee Schedule

Contact: Karen Wuopio, Public Health Program Manager at kwupio@marincounty.org

5. Garbage Collection Rates to Increase for Portions of Southern Marin

The Board authorized a 4.8 percent rate increase for garbage collection in portions of southern Marin in unincorporated areas near Mill Valley and Tiburon known as Shoreline and Gibson, Paradise Cay, Paradise and Mar East. Disposal expenses, zero-waste fees, and employee benefit costs are the primary factors driving the requested increase. A 4.8 percent increase would bring the average cost of a 32-gallon garbage can to $39.82 per month, which is in line with the Bay Area average and equates to an average $1.83 per month in additional cost for residential customers.

Need more info? See the Full Report on Garbage Rate Increase

Contact: Steve Devine, Public Works Program Manager, at sdevine@marincounty.org

6. Bolinas Lagoon Advisory Council Established

After making revisions, the Board adopted a resolution establishing the Bolinas Lagoon Advisory Council (BLAC), which will replace the Bolinas Lagoon Technical Advisory Committee. The BLAC will advise Marin County Parks and the Board on matters related to implementation of the Bolinas Lagoon Ecosystem Restoration Project, and in so doing will act as liaison between lead government agencies, including the County, and the communities surrounding Bolinas Lagoon.

Need more info? See the Full Report on Bolinas Lagoon Technical Advisory Council

Contact: Ron Miska, Deputy Parks Director at rmiska@marincounty.org

7. Rush Creek District Will Continue to Exist

On June 12th, the Board adopted a resolution declaring its intent to continue the maintenance and operation of the Rush Creek Landscaping and Lighting District in Novato. Per the requirements of state law, the Board conducted a public hearing and determined that it is appropriate to continue operation of the District.

Need more info? See the Full Report on Rush Creek Landscaping and Lighting District

Contact: Ron Miska, Deputy Parks Director at rmiska@marincounty.org

8. Interviews and/or Appointments Considered for Several Boards & Commissions

Need more info?

Contact: Clerk of the Board staff at BOS@marincounty.org

Tina McMillan July 27, 2012 at 05:19 pm
After discovering $54 million dollars of unreported money in the state park's accounts it seems unreasonable for our county to ask yet again, for more money. The Marin County Grand Jury report says we are doing less for less and need oversight of how the Supervisors allocate spending. Perhaps it is time to do just that.
Parks Funding Measure One Step Closer to November Ballot "On Wednesday, July 25, the Board held a special meeting and okayed revisions to an ordinance and spending plan that will place a countywide ¼ cent sales tax increase on the November ballot to fund parks, open space and agricultural land preservation. On July 24, after hearing public commentary, the Board postponed the first reading of the ordinance to July 25th so that additional revisions could be made. A final hearing on the merits of the proposal will take place on August 7th, which will be the final go-ahead before bringing the measure to the voters." Contact: Katherine Jones, External Affairs Coordinator of Marin County Parks at kmjones@marincounty.org
JAN July 27, 2012 at 05:45 pm
The $54,000,000.00 park boondoggle will surely destroy any support for this quarter cent tax increase. Marin County Parks needs to explain where they stand with the 54 million and whether this increase is even necessary.
Pebes July 27, 2012 at 07:09 pm
What does the State Park System budget have to do with Marin County Parks?
Michael July 27, 2012 at 08:39 pm
these sups 'move ahead actions' even in light of the recent revelation on the 'hidden money' shows us just how bad the situation really is. Our elected officials continue 'business as usual' regardless of the financial degradation around us. they refuse to address the most pressing issue of all by putting an end to retirement benefits for public workers. Instead they are here proposing yet more taxes. None of them will ever move to reduce the ridiculous retirement benefits they also receive. Each and every city and county will continue to spiral toward bankruptcy based on the unfunded liabilities that will not stop. Voters must reject this attempt to increase taxes and every other one while moving to find a way to shrink the ranks of government workers and stop the insane retirement benefits.
Scott July 27, 2012 at 09:12 pm
So, we got a .25% sales tax increase for the SMART train (which then had it's budget doubled and serviced halved before ground breaking), the governor put another .50% sales tax increase on the November ballot, and now the county wants to add another 0.25% sales tax increase for parks too.
With all these "revenue" increases, I must assume they've solved all the expense issue like, say, the huge pension problem, right?
Bob Ratto July 27, 2012 at 09:30 pm
Sonoma county yanked their proposed tax increase right after the state debacle (by the way, there may be another $2Billion in problem for special funds in the state)...marin would be wise to do the same. Sales taxes are very regressive, hurting the poor the most. The voters will not support it by a 2/3 majority in a down economy.
And, Scott, that little pension balloon in the room at the County just continues to get bigger and bigger, and one day it will simply "pop"
Tina McMillan July 28, 2012 at 02:07 am
Pebes
You understand that the county has been cutting services for over two years and that we can't even fund our pensions obligations without spending current tax dollars. In this instance creating a new tax to provide money for parks and open space seems like a luxury.
Pebes July 30, 2012 at 01:12 pm
Tina, should i repeat the question for you?
Tina McMillan July 30, 2012 at 03:00 pm
Pebes:
In answer to your question see link to IJ article explaining how deception at state level affects local attempts to increase sales tax to support parks and open space. http://www.marinij.com/sanrafael/ci_21139845/state-parks-scandal-makes-marin-parks-tax-plan My main point is that we are underfunding programs that serve the poor and needy and yet our Supervisors propose we increase sales tax to add $10,000,000 to the Park and Open Space budget. How can they justify expanding a program that is sufficiently funded when: 1. there is a state sales tax measure on the ballot that is imperative to preserve existing school funding and any additional request for increases in sales tax will jeopardize it getting passed 2. there is insufficient money to pay current pension debt making this measure a luxury 3. any increase in sales tax affects the poor and the middle class more than the wealthy, of which Marin has many, so why use sales tax to increase a budget that could be funded by donations 4. according to the grand jury the county is doing less with less if we have to increase sales tax shouldn't it be to cover essential services first 5. the grand jury also requested a committee to oversee financial decisions made by the Supervisors because they felt the Supervisors were not making fiscally responsible decisions; this would be an example of a poor financial decision at a time of dwindling resources and great need
Pebes July 30, 2012 at 06:02 pm
Tina-
so... nothing, then. state parks are separate entities from county parks and their budgets are completely separate. marin's sales tax for parks and open space will not go to the state... just so you understand.
Tina McMillan July 31, 2012 at 12:09 am
http://www.marinij.com/sanrafael/ci_21148823/marin-open-space-tax-bid-moves-ahead-officials
"Plans for a new countywide sales tax raising $10 million a year for parks, open space and farm programs moved ahead Tuesday after officials made the measure more politically palatable by dropping provisions giving a helping hand to Marin's state parks. ...Board of Supervisors bowed to requests by environmental groups that roughly $1.3 million a year be set aside for open space acquisition despite a consultant's survey indicating voters are interested in taking care of existing facilities, not buying more open space... The board also agreed to provide about $1.5 million of the annual proceeds to park projects proposed by local cities and special districts. Arnold urged a $2 million city allocation to pay for parks "where the people live," twice as much as staff proposed… ...Parks chief Linda Dahl, calling the state scandal "pretty disturbing," said that even though sales tax revenue will not be used, the county could dip into its existing $12 million parks and open space budget to shift money to keep China Camp or other state park operations open... ... Dave Coury of San Rafael, who argued that the county measure "touches a lot of bases" in order to woo voters, but fails to make a case for a "central" need. "There are a lot of needs in Marin, and $10 million a year could do a lot" to provide child care, take care of health concerns and fund other programs, he noted..."
Tina McMillan July 31, 2012 at 01:44 am
If I understood correctly, Linda Dahl, the Marin parks chief, will shift funds so that the money budgeted for city and county can instead support state parks here in Marin, while the incoming $10 million in revenue can cover the existing expenditures and more. It seems to me that Dahl is proposing an end run around the "politically palatable" provisions created by Supervisors. So the answer to your question is yes and no; yes the money will go to support state parks but no, not because the measure was written to provide the money in that manner, but because the county parks chief is willing to divert funds to make it so.
Victoria Castro July 31, 2012 at 04:22 am
The only problem I have with our parks is that there are not enough mirrors.
I mean, in order to savor my beauty, my hotness, I have to find a pool of water. Last time I did this I almost drowned after falling into said pool of water after falling in love with my own reflection. This is dangerous folks! Save our parks, but also save our narcissits!
Kevin Moore August 1, 2012 at 12:24 am
Death of the tax payer by a thousand slashes, or in our case, many many 0.25% sales tax increases. No doubt there will be a pension tax soon or a tax to complete the SMART train.
Until they fix the spending problem, there is going to be a problem raising taxes.
Kevin Moore August 1, 2012 at 04:10 pm
In my view, the $54 million is stolen money.
Imagine having the license fee for your car double on the pretense it was for repairing streets and highways. Then every year, you are told there is no money to repair the potholes in your area. Then you find over $31 million has been hidden over the last 12 years. This is exactly what has happened the OHV fund. Registration fees doubled and we have been told there is no more money in the fund.

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