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The County is preparing for our FY 2023-24 Budget, and the Board of Supervisors will hold three days of public workshop sessions starting Monday, March 27. The final FY 2023-24 Proposed Budget will be brought before our Board for consideration in June.
The budget workshop sessions will include updates concerning top community priorities, department workplans, and emerging budget issues. Over the three-day workshop, County staff will provide updates on cross-departmental initiatives such as racial equity, climate change, affordable housing, and homelessness.
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No cuts to public services are expected in the FY 2023-24 Budget. However, given the state budget shortfall, there are concerns about the reliability of revenues that fund vital safety net services over the next few years.
In addition, to help inform priorities for our next fiscal year budget, the County will conduct a community survey to ask residents about their service priorities. More details on this will be coming soon, and I will share the information in an upcoming newsletter when it is available. Your feedback is key to ensuring our County budget reflects the priorities of our community.
Something I am particularly excited about for this budget cycle, the County has launched a process known as participatory budgeting where community members decide how to spend part of the County’s budget. There is $2.5 million allotted to support racial equity initiatives in our underserved communities. To submit a proposal and/or get involved in this process, visit the County’s Participatory Budget website.
For our workshops next week, the public is encouraged to provide general comments about the budget at 9:00am on Monday either in-person or online. I look forward to hearing your ideas and comments!
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Each year at Novato’s Annual Birthday Party, Paint the Town Red, a community member is awarded Citizen of the Year for their dedication to our community. The Novato 2022 Citizen of the Year was awarded to Regina Bianucci Rus.
Regina and her husband Bill moved to Novato 25 years ago. Regina quickly became an important part of the Novato community and a tireless volunteer for educational, civic, church, and community organizations.
Regina’s integrity, kindness, and generosity have made her an exceptional community leader. She puts her heart and soul into every board she serves on and the countless events she volunteers for in Novato and Marin County.
To name just a few of the local organizations who have benefited from the generosity of her time: Novato Chamber, Novato Human Needs Center (now North Marin Community Services), Marin County League of Women Voters, School Fuel, Presbyterian Church of Novato, the City of Novato’s Citizen’s Finance Advisory Committee, the City of Novato’s ad hoc Committee on Sustainability, Paint the Town Red Committee, and SF/Marin Food Bank.
In between all the above, she found time to coach her children’s soccer teams, serve as Cub Scout and Brownie leader, participate on PTA boards, tutored school-aged students in math, and taught financial literacy to high school students.
Thank you, Regina, for your commitment, goodwill, and many selfless contributions to make Novato a better place for all -- and congratulations on being awarded the Novato 2022 Citizen of the Year!
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I recently had the opportunity to spend a day with Marin County Fire Chief Jason Weber. We visited County Fire Stations, discussed the extensive work our seasonal firefighters provide, and I learned more about the Fire Foundry Program, a workforce development program supporting career exploration for future firefighters.
We talked about the the recent rain we’ve had and how welcome that has been, but acknowledged that even with the winter storms, California experiences dry summers and the threat of wildfire continues.
It’s important we all take time to get ready for fire season, and it is not too early to begin to prepare. Three ways to ready your yard:
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Clean up any combustible materials within five feet of your home to help protect from burning embers.
- Cut annual grasses and weeds and continue to maintain as they grow back.
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Trim shrubs, plants, and trees to create spacing and prevent the spread of fire.
Fire Safe Marin is a great resource to learn how to adapt and prepare for wildfire season.
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A great opportunity this weekend for girls in grades 8 through 12: the Annual Marin Teen Girl Conference, sponsored by the Marin Women’s Commission. The event is this Sunday, March 26, 9:00am-3:30pm, at Embassy Suites -- and it’s not too late to register!
The day will include 18 different workshops, spread over three sessions, along with 15+ exhibitors. These workshops and exhibitors have been chosen by this year's Teen Ambassadors (some are pictured below!). This will be a great day, planned by girls for girls.
There is no cost to attend, and breakfast and lunch will be served. For more details and to register, visit the event website.
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As your Supervisor, I welcome and encourage you to connect, share your concerns, and your ideas. We want to hear from you! Please use the contact information below to reach out to the District 5 Team. A reply to this email doesn’t come directly to my office, and I’d like to respond to you in a timely manner.
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