Marin County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Marin County, California public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Santa Venetia levee emergency repairs
Design and permitting work for the Cardinal Road levee upgrade moved forward, part of ongoing flood protection efforts.
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.
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.
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.
National Preparedness Month and AlertMarin improvements
The County extended its January storm emergency declaration and proclaimed Wildfire Awareness Week — reminders that fire season planning is underway.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
In-custody death of Tammy Manzania at Marin County jail
Family members and supporters of Tammy Manzania, who died after being held in a jail sobering cell, told the board she was denied medical care for hours and that the county is withholding legally required documents. A tort claim deadline was the next day and a lawsuit is expected.
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.
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.
Buck's Landing Dock and Pier environmental review
$500,000 in Measure A discretionary funds is going toward replacing the aging Buck's Landing dock and pier.
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.
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.
Offsite design and development standards
A workshop on proposed objective design standards for development outside unincorporated town centers — rules that shape what future housing and buildings can look like.
Lomita Drive road rehabilitation
Phase 1 of the Lomita Drive road project was approved with its environmental review — paving improvements for that neighborhood.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Carbon farming grant application
The county will apply for state grant funds to design a carbon farming financing pilot — supporting climate-friendly agriculture in Marin.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
$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.