Novato to Receive $465K Refund From County

Novato stands to receive a $464,000 refund from Marin County following a decision that ruled that counties overcharged cities for processing property taxes.

Counties throughout the state received refunds after a 2012 California Supreme Court decision that ruled that counties could not charge for processing the so-called property tax administration fees. But Marin held on to a part of the money, prompting action from its 11 cities. Now, following closed door talks, the county will return money for two additional years of the practice, money that will go to Novato’s general fund.

However, the county is not returning fees from 2006-2008, which some have called unfair.

“I’m disappointed that the county didn’t reimburse all the funds,” said Novato Mayor Pat Eklund. “But I could understand the county’s situation since they have already spent that money.”

The refund is part of an overall $1.9 million being distributed to Marin cities.