Novato Flood Control Tax Slated For 2017 Ballot

MARIN COUNTY, CA – The Marin County Board of Supervisors Tuesday approved placing a flood control parcel tax measure for the greater Novato area on the Nov. 7 ballot.

If passed by two-thirds of voters, $19.8 million over 18 years will be used for flood infrastructure improvements in 45-square-mile Flood Control Zone 1.

The zone covers the city of Novato, and unincorporated areas in west Novato, Bel Marin Keys, Black Point-Green Point, Bahia, Ignacio, Pacheco Valle and Indian Valley.

A single-family home would be taxed $47 annually regardless of acreage. The tax for multi-family parcels will range between $47 for less than one-quarter acre to $481 for more than 10 acres.

The tax on commercial and industrial parcels will range between $67 to $1,254 for parcels more than 10 acres.

Seniors that qualify for low-income status would be exempt from the tax.

The last Flood Control Zone 1 tax on the ballot was in 1984. When combined with property taxes, the tax generated $2 million for flood control in the Novato watershed.

Officials from the Marin County Department of Public Works said storms last winter caused $1.7 million in damages to pumps and levees in Flood Control Zone 1, and the current $2 million in annual funding is not
enough to repair the damage and upgrade the pumps and levees.

The proposed tax would increase funds by $1.2 million a year for flood mitigation measures that will be designed and constructed.

The new tax also would leverage new tax revenue from state and federal grants between $7 million and $10 million, according to the Marin County Flood Control and Water Conservation District.

By Bay City News Service

Photo credit County of Marin