Fairfax, Ross Tax, Bond Measures Among 11 on Marin County Ballot

MARIN COUNTY, CA — Pamphlets for the Nov. 8 election ballot in Marin County, which includes 11 countywide, school, municipal, district and service area bond and tax measures, were mailed out Monday to registered voters, with vote-by-mail ballots to begin going out Oct. 10.

Countywide Measure A would approve a one-quarter percent sales tax for nine years to raise $12 million annually for pre-school education, healthcare, after school and summer learning programs and affordable
childcare. It requires the approval of two-thirds of the voters.

In the Kentfield School District, Measure B's proposed $1,600 annual parcel tax for 10 years with an annual five-percent increase will go toward attracting and maintaining highly-qualified teachers, maintain small class sizes and enhance enrichment programs.

Measure E in the Mill Valley School District will continue an existing annual $980 parcel tax for 12 years with annual cost of living adjustments. The $9.4 million annual revenue will maintain schools and retain high-quality teachers.

Both school district parcel taxes require two-thirds approval.

The Novato Unified School District asks voters to approve Measure G, a $222 million bond issue to upgrade aging schools, classrooms, science labs, libraries and facilities and provide space for science, math,
engineering, arts and music instruction. It requires a 55 percent majority vote to pass.

Measure C in Fairfax would raise for 10 years an existing one-half percent local sales tax to three-quarters percent for public safety, general services and infrastructure repairs and improvements. It requires approval of a majority of voters.

Mill Valley seeks to renew a $266 municipal service tax with a 2 percent annual adjustment on single-family residential properties for 10 years. Measure H would raise an average of $1.79 million a year for fire
safety, street maintenance and road repair. It needs two-thirds approval.

The Town of Ross asks voters to approve Measure K, an annual special tax of $970 per single-family residence for public safety services, and $970 per parcel for all other uses, each with a cost of living adjustment. It would provide approximately $810,000 annually and needs two-thirds approval.

The Muir Beach Community Services District is proposing Measure K, a $213 annual parcel tax for 10 years to fund fire protection services, emergency preparedness and equipment upgrades. It needs the approval of two-thirds of the voters.

Voters in Kent Woodlands will consider Measure M, an increase in the existing $260 annual special tax to $360 on living units in the service area for Marin County Sheriff's Office deputy patrol services. The annual inflation rate of the tax is capped at three percent a year. Two-thirds approval is required.

Kent Woodlands' Measure N is a special tax on residences to purchase and install License Plate Readers that record the license plates of vehicles traveling through neighborhoods to deter burglary and other crimes. The tax would be $100 in fiscal year 2016-2017 then $11 annually each fiscal year thereafter for maintenance. It passes with a two-thirds vote.

In Paradise Cay County Service Area #29 near Tiburon, voters will consider Measure O, an increase from $1,200 to $1,500 per parcel for 10 years. The revenue pays for ongoing maintenance dredging in the principal waterways along the north and south entry channels to San Francisco Bay. Measure O needs two-thirds approval.

Important Election-Related Things to Know

The pamphlets mailed Monday by the Marin County Elections Department include the address of the voter’s polling place and important information to assist with voting.

“All candidates for president will be on the ballot, so voters can make their choice regardless of their party affiliation,” said Lynda Roberts, Registrar of Voters. “If you don’t receive your pamphlet by Oct. 14, please let us know so we can send another one.”

Other important dates include:

• Oct. 10: In addition to vote-by-mail ballots being sent, early voting begins in the Elections Department office between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on weekdays; Marin Civic Center, 3501 Civic Center Drive, Suite 121, in San Rafael.
• Oct. 24: Last day to register to vote in this election.
• Nov. 1: Applications for a vote-by-mail ballot must be received by the Elections Department to fulfill the request by mail. After this date, voters wishing to vote by mail must get a ballot in person at the Elections Department.

Election Day, Nov. 8:

• Poll workers needed: Call 415-473-6439.
• Elections Department open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. for voting by mail.
• Vote-by-mail ballot envelopes must be signed and postmarked on or before this day.
• Voters can drop their vote-by-mail ballot (in its signed and dated envelope) at the Elections Department or any polling place by 8 p.m.

Voters can go to the County Elections Department website to check their registration, update their address, or register to vote. Voters can also call 415-473-6456 to check their registration status and request a voter registration form in the mail.

Visit Marinvotes.org for more information. Follow the Elections Department on Facebook.

— Bay City News Service contributed to this report.