May Update from Supervisor Sackett
County of Marin, California sent this bulletin at 05/29/2025 07:00 PM PDT
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| MAY 2025 |
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COMMISSION ON AGING MEET AND GREET CIVIC CENTER DOCENT TOURS |
Dear Neighbors,
The sun is shining, and you know what that means—our favorite seasonal visitors are back! That’s right, the goats aka GOATs (greatest of all time) are back in town. They have returned to graze the hillsides of Lucas Valley, Terra Linda, and open spaces across the County. By grazing on dry vegetation, goats help create defensible space and reduce wildfire risk. Earlier this year, our board approved additional funding to expand the goat grazing program. I love to listen to them munch.
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While the goats do their part, we each have a role to play in keeping our communities fire-safe. Not sure where to begin? Fire Safe Marin offers tips, checklists, and videos to guide you through home-hardening and landscaping best practices.
On May 21, the Marin County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved an $865.8 million budget for fiscal year 2025–2026, a 6% increase over last year. Of that, the General Fund totals $660 million, up 7%, with key revenue sources including local taxes (42%) and state and federal contributions (37%). Roughly 70% of the total budget supports mandated services, including public health, libraries, fire safety, and justice programs.
Despite anticipated cuts in federal and state funding, Marin’s sound fiscal management allows continued investment in critical community priorities. This includes $20.4 million for affordable housing and expanded support for mental health services, such as the 24/7 mobile crisis response team. The County is also boosting wildfire preparedness by adding eight full-time Fire Department positions focused on prevention, training, and emergency response, funded by increased CalFire revenues. With a balanced budget and strong reserves, Marin County remains committed to delivering vital services and preparing for the future.
| E-BIKE UPDATE |
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Changes are coming to e-bike rules in Marin County. Starting this summer, kids under 16 can no longer ride throttle-powered e-bikes (Class 2) in Marin. That means some students will need to switch to pedal-assist e-bikes (Class 1) or regular bikes. Find safety tips, law updates, and resources at E-BikersClub.com. Don't miss the animated video!
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With the beautiful weather upon us, it’s the perfect time to combine biking with your SMART commute. Whether you're riding to work, the farmers market, or just out for fun, SMART makes it easy to bring your bike along.
Every SMART station is equipped with secure bike lockers, and one locker at each station can fit larger bikes like e-bikes and cargo bikes. Standard lockers cost just $0.05 per hour, and large ones are $0.08 per hour.
To use a locker, create a BikeLink account, and you can even check locker availability in the BikeLink app before you head out. You can use your Clipper Card to access the lockers, link it to your BikeLink account on their website and you’re good to go.
| CALFRESH |
What Is CalFresh?
CalFresh helps individuals and families with low or no income afford nutritious food.
Am I Eligible for CalFresh?
Call (415) 473-INFO or visit the CalFresh website to review the full eligibility requirements and to see if you qualify.
How do I apply for CalFresh benefits?
- Apply online at https://benefitscal.com/
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Apply in person or pick up an application at one of our Public Assistance offices:
- 120 N. Redwood Drive, San Rafael
- 3240 Kerner Blvd., San Rafael
- 16th Street, Point Reyes Station
- Apply by mail. Call 877-410-8817 to have an application sent to your address
- Call 877-410-8817 and apply using the telephonic signature option
| COMMISSION ON AGING MEET & GREET |
Did you know that 30% of Marin County’s population is 60 years or older and growing? Join the Marin County Commission on Aging for their annual meet and greet on June 4. This is a chance to meet the Commissioners who elevate priorities impacting Marin's older adults and to join the conversation. Complimentary refreshments will be served, and no RSVP is required.
When: Wednesday, June 4, 2025, from 4 PM - 6 PM
Where: The Club Restaurant Patio at McInnis Golf Center, 350 Smith Ranch Rd, San Rafael.
Questions? Please contact Commissioner Peter Rubens at 415-519-8959 or Camille Jolly, Area Agency on Aging Program Manager, at Camille.Jolly@marincounty.gov.
| COUNTY VOLUNTEERS AND INTERNS CELEBRATION |
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Photo Credit: Steve Ziman |
On May 27, we celebrated Marin County's volunteers, interns, and staff supervisors of the year. The County of Marin had 8,500 volunteers and interns who contributed 230,000 service hours last year! We are grateful for the time and passion of these dedicated individuals, and their efforts would not be possible for the County to do alone without their commitment. The following awards were presented:
Volunteer of the Year: David Mitchell, Sheriff's Office Air Patrol
Volunteer Team of the Year: Terra Linda Broom Team (french broom pulling champions!)
Staff Supervisor of Volunteers: Michael Turrigiano, coordinator of Senior Peer Counselors volunteers, Health and Human Services
Intern of the Year: Camilo Ibarra, Marin County Probation Department
Staff Supervisor of Interns of the Year: Héctor García, Marin County Free Library
Intern Team of the Year: Find Your Way Youth Lead Team: Adriana Martinez, Dhanya Subramanian, Jasmine Wood, and Sophia Rubel
If you are inspired to volunteer or intern, you can explore opportunities to get involved.
| MARIN COUNTY FAIR - IT'S BUG-TASTIC |
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This year’s Marin County Fair “Bug-Tastic!” theme promises a delightfully quirky celebration of all things fluttery, buzzy, crawly, and everything in between!
Discounted tickets are on sale now for $15 (regularly $25) through May 31 and for $20 from June 1 to July 1 for entrance on July 2, 3, 5, and 6. Tickets for July 4 are $30 (no discounts). As always, opening day (July 2) is free for kids 12 and under, seniors 65+, and veterans.
Enjoy a stellar concert lineup with headliners including TLC, The Legendary Wailers, and Elvis Crespo—just a few of the exciting performances in store.
I’m thrilled to share that many Competitive Exhibits are BACK! Whether you bake, garden, craft, or preserve—there’s a category for you. From stunning decorated cakes to intricate floral arrangements, your talents deserve a spotlight. Enter for a chance to win a blue ribbon and share your creativity.
| CIVIC CENTER DOCENT TOURS |
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Due to popular demand, the Frank Lloyd Wright Civic Center tours will be offered every Wednesday in addition to the regular Friday tour schedule. The first Wednesday tour is June 4th! Explore the only Frank Lloyd Wright-designed government building still in use today. Learn about Wright’s bold vision, the Civic Center’s unique history, and the stunning design elements that make this site a national treasure.
📅 Tours every Wednesday at 1 PM and Friday at 10:30 AM
📍 Marin County Civic Center
🎟️ Tickets available here
| HAVE YOU HEARD? |
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The Nature of Fragile Things by Susan Meissner follows Sophie, an Irish immigrant moving to San Francisco to marry a man she does not know. With the backdrop of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, the plot twists are many, and I'm looking forward to finishing the book to learn what happens after the earthquake. Reading the book has inspired me to go into the City and take a cable car ride, as Sophie did back in 1906. It has been awhile. |
US-101 Marin-Sonoma Carpool Hours Are Changing
Caltrans has approved new weekday carpool lane hours (HOV) on Highway 101 between Mill Valley and Windsor: 5:00–10:00 AM and 3:00–7:00 PM in both directions. The change is expected to take effect this summer, coinciding with the completion of the Marin-Sonoma Narrows widening project. The goal is to align HOV hours with those on the region’s seven state-owned bridges for consistency for commutes.
The Transportation Authority of Marin (TAM) supported the update but flagged potential congestion during peak hours in San Rafael and Corte Madera. To mitigate impacts, TAM is working with Caltrans and regional partners to implement ramp metering at four key northbound onramps by June 24, with a broader adaptive metering system planned for 2026. TAM is also advancing a part-time transit-only lane and ongoing monitoring to fine-tune HOV hours as needed.
Please stay in touch,
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| Mary Sackett Supervisor, District 1 (415) 473-7331 Email Mary |
Crystal Martinez Board Aide (415) 473-7342 Email Crystal |
Julia Reinhard Board Aide (415) 473-7354 Email Julia |
| RESOURCES |
My office is here to assist and help make navigating government services easier for you. This section includes some of the most frequently requested resources. If you can’t find what you’re looking for or have questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to us.
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Not all events are sponsored by the County of Marin. County of Marin sponsored events are required to be accessible. If you are an individual with a disability and require an accommodation to participate in a County sponsored event, please call (415) 473-7354 (voice), Julia.Reinhard@MarinCounty.gov (email), (415) 473-3232 (TTY), or dial 711 for CRS or email Disability Access at least six work days in advance. Documents in alternative formats are available upon request. | |||
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