Marin County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Marin County, California public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Police Misconduct and Immigration Detention
Legal observers and Rapid Response Network volunteers described what they called ICE arrests of people released from the county jail, including an incident involving a 20-year-old man, and demanded the Board view jail footage and pass an "ICE-free Marin" ordinance. The county executive noted an urgency ordinance on detention facilities will be calendared next week.
Santa Venetia levee emergency repairs
Design and permitting work for the Cardinal Road levee upgrade moved forward, part of ongoing flood protection efforts.
Local Coastal Program housing amendment
The Board adopted coastal zoning amendments to carry out the 2023-2031 Housing Element in the coastal zone — recognizing 36 housing overlay sites, implementing ADU and density bonus laws, and adding a coastal form-based code with a 35-foot height limit. It now goes to the Coastal Commission.
Oak Hill Apartments Affordable Housing Financing
The county approved loan, grant and regulatory agreements with Education Housing Partner for the Oak Hill Workforce Housing Project, moving a workforce housing effort forward.
Habitat Redwood Boulevard affordable housing project
Habitat for Humanity's Novato project redesign and housing fund allocation were approved on consent — 50 affordable homes coming to Novato.
Latin American Heritage Month and workplace inclusion
The Board proclaimed Latin American Heritage Month, but county employees testified about feeling unsafe and discriminated against in county workplaces. Supervisors acknowledged there's more work to do beyond symbolic recognition.
Sir Francis Drake Blvd Landslide Repair
A construction contract was awarded to fix the landslide on Sir Francis Drake Boulevard at milepost 20.28 — good news for West Marin commuters.
Upper Bay Permanent Road Division special tax election
Property owners in the Upper Bay Permanent Road Division will vote this November on a special tax to fund road improvements and ongoing maintenance. The Board called the all-mail election and set the ballot language; the tax needs two-thirds approval from division voters.
Elections records disclosure and November 3 election preparations
A school trustee said the Elections Department released his unredacted ballot designation worksheet to someone he believes is stalking him; he filed a claim and wants an investigation. Separately, ballots mail by early October despite USPS litigation, and the board approved $450,000 in ballot printing.
School district cash-flow transfers
The Board authorized temporary transfers of county-held funds to eight local school districts totaling over $115 million so they can cover costs before property tax revenue arrives — routine but essential cash-flow help for schools.
Sea level rise adaptation governance
The county accepted a final AECOM study on how Marin should organize its sea level rise adaptation efforts and make decisions countywide. Thirteen residents spoke on the item.
Marin County Child Care Initiative on November ballot
The voter-sponsored Child Care Initiative qualified for the ballot, and the Board consolidated its special election with the November 3 statewide general election. Voters will decide the initiative this fall.
Ross Valley Paramedic Parcel Tax on the November Ballot
Voters in County Service Area 27 will decide in November whether to continue the paramedic special parcel tax for four more years (2027-2031). If it fails, paramedic service funding is at risk.
New Marin County Fire Headquarters in San Geronimo Valley
The county took a major step toward building a new fire headquarters, approving a $3.4 million design-build contract. It's a big investment in fire and emergency response facilities for the valley.
Homeless shelter operations in San Rafael
The county added $439,313 to its contract with San Rafael to keep the Mahon Creek site running and add the Merrydale interim shelter site, on top of a $4 million total.
Strawberry development at 201 Seminary Drive
The county's biggest land-use fight of the year got a final decision: the Strawberry project can move forward with its master plan, design review, tree removal permit, use permit, and tentative map, but the community plan amendment was denied. Neighbors turned out in force — 26 spoke at the hearing.
$2.5M farmers market at the Civic Center
The County will fund the Agricultural Institute of Marin's future farmers market site on the Civic Center campus with up to $2.5 million. This gives the farmers market a permanent home and boosts local food access and small farms.
FY 2026-28 budget released for review
The proposed two-year county budget is now public, with hearings starting June 8 — the public's window to weigh in before the Board adopts it.
Homelessness and human services funding
The Ritter Center's homeless services contract grew by $637,199 to $2.5 million, expanding housing assistance and prevention work.
January 2026 storm and flood emergency
The Board extended the local emergency proclamation tied to compound flooding and severe storms that began January 3. The extension keeps emergency response measures and potential recovery funding mechanisms in place.
SMART Initiative special election
Supervisors put the SMART rail and transit sales tax measure on the June 2, 2026 ballot and formally endorsed it. Voters will decide the measure in June, consolidated with the statewide primary.
Federal and State Policy Impacts on County Services
Federal policy changes, including those affecting Health and Human Services funding and HR-1, could reshape what Marin County can afford to provide. The Board was briefed on what these shifts mean for the county budget.
FY 2026-28 Budget Development
Marin County is starting to shape its next two-year budget. This workshop set the stage — laying out priorities and a strategic scan — but no spending decisions were made yet.