Courtesy of Marin County

In July 2021, the Marin County Board of Supervisors directed Marin County Parks to work toward renewing the quarter-cent countywide sales tax known as Measure A. The Supervisors received an update during their Dec. 14 meeting about election preparations and recent uses of the tax revenue. Measure A, which sunsets after nine years, is due to expire March 31, 2022

“Our presentation to the Board is another public engagement opportunity and will help us understand whether the proposed draft changes to the expenditure plan are consistent with community priorities,” said Parks Director Max Korten. “Everyone is welcome to weigh in. This is the time for us to turn to our residents, our visitors, and our Board for guidance on what’s wanted and what’s needed.”

After gathering more input, Parks staff will seek a recommendation on an updated proposal from the Parks and Open Space Commission in January 2022 and then return to the Supervisors for an initial hearing. Placing a new measure on the ballot would require the Board passing a resolution; that could happen in February.

Measure A is an important funding resource for Marin County’s parks, open spaces and farms. It generates an average of $14 million per year and has resulted in a total of $91.2 million in funds (as of the most current audited budget from fiscal year 2019-20) for parks, open spaces, and farmland preservation across Marin County.

Those investments have allowed the county and local governments to increase fire fuel reduction, address deferred maintenance in parks, increase ranger-led events and outings, support working lands, protect and restore natural habitat, and improve trails.

“It has helped us reach our goals of taking care of our parks and preserves and making improvements to them,” Korten said, “but it has also opened more opportunities in areas such as equity-focused programs. Measure A has allowed us to reduce or eliminate park fees, provide park passes to lower-income residents, and fund programs designed to attract park visitors who might not otherwise have the chance to visit.”

Earlier this year, Parks conducted an online public survey to collect opinions about how funds should be spent, including Measure A revenue. The responses indicated a high level of support for the core services funded by the measure and guided the proposed changes to the draft expenditure plan that will be presented to the Board on Dec. 14. A 2019 community survey and a poll conducted by the Marin Open Space Trust in June 2021 indicated broad support for local parks and open space as well.

Learn more about Parks and Measure A at www.marincountyparks.org.

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