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On June 22, the Board adopted its FY 2023-24 budget. The $750 million budget is balanced, maintains core program service levels, expands capacity in several areas to address emerging needs, and makes significant investments in our top community priorities including: affordable and workforce housing, emergency preparedness, homelessness, mental health services, equity initiatives, sea level rise and climate mitigation, and employee recruitment/retention.
The FY 2023-24 budget includes funding to expand the mobile crisis program to 24/7 response capability by the end of 2023, the addition of an active transportation planner to the traffic division focusing on bike/ped improvements and two new positions within the planning department to expand capacity in plans review and support implementation of housing element programs. Also included in the budget is approximately $50 million in one-time monies for one-time investments. Among them: $30 million for deferred maintenance and modernization of the Civic Center and Veteran’s Memorial auditorium, $5 million as the first annual installment of a 5-year, $25 million dollar general fund commitment to our Affordable Housing Trust, $2.5 million to address homeless encampments, and an additional $2 million in one-time funding, (on top of $13 million annual program allocation) for roads maintenance in response to the pounding that the long, wet winter had on the pavement! These and other one-time allocations are funded through year-end savings, previously established reserves, special revenue funds, and federal COVID-relief funding. Read the budget overview and highlights of progress made in key areas.
Reducing wildfire risk and improving overall emergency preparedness and disaster response are top priorities for our board and the community. This year’s budget reflects that focus and includes recently awarded Cal Fire funding for two additional hand crews (16 FTE), ongoing funding through the county general fund, Parks/Measure A, and the Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority/Measure C for multiple seasonal crews for vegetation management work and deployment to wildfires as needed, funding to support the transition and expansion of the Office of Emergency Management (OEM), and the county’s share of cost for creation of a new dispatch center for all Marin fire and EMS agencies. This is a multi-jurisdictional undertaking lead by Marin County Fire in coordination with the Marin County Sheriff-Coroner’s Office and partner municipal fire agencies. It will include the development of a comprehensive plan for dispatch services, as well as a review of current policies, practices, and organizational needs related to communication and emergency response.
To learn more about various county department work on wildfire prevention and preparedness work click here.
Below is a map showing the Greater Ross Valley Shaded Fuel Break a collaboration of MWPA and Central Marin Fire Agencies and is funded by a $3.25 million Cal Fire grant and Measure C funds. It will create a 38-mile shaded fuel break running along the backyards of about 1,700 parcels. Click here for more information about this project and other wildfire prevention work.
Renovation and conversion of the long vacant skilled nursing facility at 1251 S. Eliseo into 43 units of permanent supportive housing for formerly homeless individuals is on schedule to be completed in August. Episcopal Community Services (ECS) (the site owner and operator of the program) anticipates beginning resident move-in in September and to have the building fully occupied by mid-November. Residents will be selected through the County’s coordinated entry program. Since 2017, the County and its partners have placed 637 chronically homeless individuals in Permanent Supportive Housing (scattered site and residential facilities), with 95% of these individuals maintaining their housing and improving their overall health and well-being, reconnecting with friends, family and community!
For the past year and a half, the County and ECS have been working with a Community Advisory Group (CAG) to address questions and concerns about the project raised by community members regarding staffing, programs, and potential community safety issues. On May 16th, the county hosted a community Zoom to provide an update on the project and CAG work which you can view here. With the work of the CAG completed, we will move to a quarterly stakeholder briefing format where ECS, the County, and partner community safety agencies will share reports on project status and general information regarding any impacts associated with the project. Members of the group will include law enforcement (CMPA, Sheriff, CHP), Marin County Parks, City of Larkspur, Kentfield School District, Kent Woodlands Property Owners Association, Tidelands HOA, Marin Health, Marin Community Clinic, nearby business and neighbor representatives, as well as ECS and County of Marin.
Finally, towards supporting and welcoming the new residents, a 1251 S. Eliseo volunteer committee has been formed. The committee is working with ECS on room staging, welcome baskets and helping with opening celebrations, holiday dinners and more. Anyone interested in joining or helping the volunteer committee, please email homekey@marincounty.org. For future updates on 1251 S. Eliseo, sign up for updates at the project website. And for the latest on Marin’s progress in addressing homelessness visit our data dashboard.
The County of Marin (via its Sustainability Division) has teamed up with Congressman Jared Huffman, the nonprofit, Cool the Earth, and community stakeholders to submit a federal grant application to the US Department of Transportation (US DOT) for EV charging stations (EVCS) in underserved and rural communities. If awarded, the grant will fund a one-year local planning and feasibility study to strategically deploy charging stations in four key areas -- rural West Marin County, and low-income, multi-family housing communities in Novato, the San Rafael Canal area, and Marin City. The project goal will be to produce shovel ready plans for at least 20 sites that will be used in future applications for funding to construct the EVCS at the identified sites.
As a County resident, you have the power to make a significant impact on your community by actively participating on a Marin County board or commission. With a diverse range of boards and commissions covering various programs and policies, there are several exciting opportunities for you to consider. Highlighted opportunities to serve are listed below. Click here for a complete list of openings. If you have any questions, my staff is more than happy to provide answers and assistance. Your involvement can truly make a difference, so we eagerly await your participation!
The Marin County Commission on Aging
The Marin County Commission on Aging is a federally mandated advisory council. The mission of the Commission is to promote the dignity, independence and quality of life of older persons through advocacy, information, programs and services. If you are interested and want to learn more about the Commission on Aging, please get in touch with Gary Lara with Health and Human Services at glara@marincounty.org.
Apply Here
The Marin County Fair Advisory Board
The Marin County Fair Advisory Board provides a forum for community voices on fair issues, to promote fair engagement and attendance throughout the County of Marin, and to advise the Cultural Services Department in developing a fair that features the unique environmental, artistic, and agricultural legacy of Marin County and that represents and includes Marin County's many communities. If you are interested and want to learn more about the Fair Advisory Board please get in touch with Gabriella Calicchio with the Department of Cultural Services at gcalicchio@marincounty.org.
Apply Here
The Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Commission
The Integrated Pest Management Commission oversees implementation of the Marin County Integrated Pest Management policy and plan and advises and makes recommendations to the IPM Coordinator and Board of Supervisors. If you are interested and want to learn more about the Integrated Pest Management Commission, please get in touch with Jim Chayka, Superintendent of Marin County Parks, at jchayka@marincounty.org.
Apply Here
The Library Commission
The Library Commission serves as a resource body and liaison to the Board of Supervisors, the Director of County Library Services, and the community to find ways to enlist public interest in supporting and improving Library services. They serve as the Measure A Advisory Committee to provide independent citizen oversight for Measure A, a special tax for the Marin County Free Library. If you are interested and want to learn more about the Library commission, please get in touch with Edna Guadiana with the Marin County Free Library at eguadiana@marincounty.org.
Apply Here
Please, don't hesitate to get in touch with me or my team to share your ideas, ask questions, or express any concerns you may have. Let's stay connected through my Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter pages.
I look forward to hearing from you,
Marin County Board of Supervisors, District 2
Tel: (415) 473-7825
Email: KRice@marincounty.org
District Aide: Crystal Martinez
Tel: (415) 473-6159
Email: CMartinez@marincounty.org
District Aide: Nancy Vernon
Tel: (415) 473-7351
Email: NVernon@marincounty.org
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