Marin County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Marin County, California public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Economic Opportunity Grant Pilot
The county hired consultants to build its 2026 Economic Vitality Strategic Plan — a roadmap for jobs and business health in Marin.
Buck Gulch Falls trail accessibility and restoration
The popular but badly eroded waterfall trail in Novato will get two bridges, a firm accessible surface, and a viewing platform, protecting the creek and making the falls reachable for wheelchair users and people with limited mobility. Disability advocates turned out overwhelmingly in support.
Golden Gate Village rehabilitation financing
The county approved the TEFRA hearing for up to $160 million in tax-exempt bonds to rehabilitate the 100% affordable Golden Gate Village public housing in Marin City, with no residents displaced.
Offsite design and development standards
New objective roadway standards for new development in city-centered and baylands corridors — including safety minimums developers can't waive — were introduced, with hillside and rural standards to follow.
Health Council of Marin sunsetting
A resident urged the Board to hold off on sunsetting the Health Council, citing its policy-changing reports on wireless, tobacco, and primary care access.
Suicide prevention in Marin
The county boosted its master agreement for residential mental health placements by $2 million, to $8.85 million — more capacity for Marin residents needing residential care.
Civic Center maintenance needs
A Grand Jury report called the Civic Center 'in need of love'; the Board's response commits the county to addressing aging-building concerns at the landmark county seat.
Measure A parks and agriculture funding response
The Board responded to a Grand Jury report questioning whether Measure A parks funding aligns with voter intent — the topic matters to anyone who cares how parks and farm dollars are spent.
MCE governance concerns
A Grand Jury found a 'series of missteps' at Marin Clean Energy and called for governance changes; the Board's formal response shapes county oversight of the power agency.
Lomita Drive road rehabilitation
Phase 1 of the Lomita Drive road project was approved with its environmental review — paving improvements for that neighborhood.
Sky Ranch Knoll open space donation
A roughly 7-acre property is being donated to the Open Space District, permanently preserving it as public open space.
County Executive Performance Evaluation
The Board of Supervisors is taking up the job performance of the County Executive, the appointed official who runs county operations and helps shape the budget and services residents rely on. Because it's a personnel matter, the discussion happens behind closed doors, and any consequences for county leadership aren't announced here.
15 mph school zones in unincorporated Marin
New 15 mph speed limits take effect at 12 school zone locations in unincorporated county areas, aimed at keeping kids safer near schools.
Keep People Housed Marin homelessness prevention
A new $742,000 contract funds flexible financial assistance and housing stabilization for households at high risk of homelessness.
Auburn Grove bond financing
The Board authorized the Auburn Grove housing project to use the state CMFA BOLD bond program, which can lower financing costs. Two residents spoke at the hearing.
Road sealant and pavement projects
Consent approvals green-lit paving on Nicasio Valley Road, Marin City road rehab, pavement digouts, and the Lucas Valley Road bridge over Miller Creek.
Child care support for families
Two addenda boosted funding for Marin Child Care Council — including $403,485 for CalWORKs Stage One child care — helping low-income and child-welfare-involved families keep care in place.
Animal control services contract
Marin Humane will keep providing animal control services for the next three years under a $14 million agreement — everything from stray pickups to licensing.
Brown Act remote access disruption policy
A new state law (SB 707) requires counties to have a plan for when Zoom or other remote access to public meetings gets knocked out. Marin adopted its policy so meetings stay legally valid and the public stays informed during outages.
Paradise Cay dredging tax on November ballot
Voters in County Service Area No. 29 will decide a special tax increase to pay for ten more years of dredging Paradise Cay's channels, starting July 2027.
Law enforcement data-sharing contract held
Supervisors held a $1.53 million contract with Peregrine Technologies that would link information among Marin law enforcement agencies, asking for further evaluation before approving.
MAPE labor agreement
The Board approved the tentative two-year labor deal with the Marin Association of Public Employees covering county workers from July 2026 through June 2028.