Marin County Election Guide

MARIN COUNTY, CA -- There are council contests in Fairfax, Novato, San Anselmo, Sausalito and Tiburon, and local measures in Larkspur, Novato and the Lagunitas School District on the Nov. 7 ballot.

Fairfax Town Council members John Reed and Barbara Coller are running for re-election against Charles Cornell, a network systems administrator, Planning Commissioner Bruce Ackerman, accountant Deborah
Benson and retired information technology manager Cindy Swift for the three open seats on the Town Council.

Incumbent Novato City Council members Denise Athas and Pat Eklund face a challenge by communications strategist Kevin Morrison, for the two open seats.

In San Anselmo where there are three open seats on the Town Council, incumbents John Wright and Kay Coleman are running for re-election.

They face challenges from writer Tom King, Parks Commissioner Steve Burdo and entrepreneur Brian L. Colbert.

Melissa Blaustein, an international advocacy director, Planning Commissioner Susan Cleveland-Knowles and Planning Commissioner Bill Werner are vying for an open seat on the Sausalito City Council.

In Tiburon, appointed incumbents David Kulik and Holli Thier are running for two seats against bus program manager Jack Ryan.

Voters in the Lagunitas School District will consider Measure A, a $535 per parcel per year tax for eight years for student services and educational programs starting July 1, 2018. The measure includes a 6.5 annual
percent cost of living adjustment and it exempts parcel owners who are 65 years and older before Feb. 1, 2018. It needs two-thirds approval to pass.

Opponents say the 6.5 percent annual cost of living increase is too high and should be closer to 3 percent. Proponents say the Lagunitas District is one of the lowest funded districts in the county and without the tax hike that accounts for 18 percent of the budget, class size would rise from 22 to 35 students.

Larkspur voters will decide on Measure B, an extension of a 0.75 percent sales tax for roads and other city services that provide $1,650,000 a year. It needs majority approval to pass.

Opponents say the tax revenue goes into the General Fund and need not be dedicated to road repair or other specific uses.

Measure D in Novato continues the city's 20-year urban growth boundary in the General Plan until Dec. 31, 2042. It was approved in November 1997. It needs a simple majority approval to pass. Proponents say the urban growth boundary helps preserve Novato's small town character and fosters better planning and development.

Measure E in the Marin County Flood Control and Water Conservation District is a special parcel tax ranging between $30 and $1,254 per parcel per year depending on the parcel for 18 years. It requires two-thirds approval.

Measure F in the Mesa Park Recreation District is a replacement of an expiring special annual $49 tax per improved parcel for four more years starting in fiscal year 2018-2019. The revenue would provide $30,000 per year for maintenance of Bolinas community parks. It requires two-thirds approval.

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