There are municipal sales tax increases and bond measures on November’s ballot in Fairfax, Mill Valley, Novato and San Rafael.
Tax proponents will rest easily since the proposed $20 billion regional housing bond was yanked from the ballot. Polling showed the Bay Area Housing Finance Authority measure couldn’t achieve the required two-thirds supermajority.
Even if voters approve state Proposition 5, which would lower the threshold for passage of such proposals to 55%, the chance of BAHFA’s bond’s success was dubious. Having a multi-billion bond on the same ballot could have doomed the Marin-only measures. There is just so much voter tolerance for tax increases in one year.
These municipal tax and bond measures are aimed at addressing legitimate infrastructure needs. While a worthy goal, that aim shouldn’t mean residents automatically vote yes.
Reasonable criteria for sales taxes must include “sunset” clauses enabling voters to decide if funds were wisely spent. If they won’t support an extension when the sunset clause kicks in, the tax dies, as it should.
These measures should specify in detail where the tax proceeds will go. Bonds and San Rafael’s proposed parcel tax would be paid over decades. They, along with sales tax hikes, should have citizen oversight committees that annually report directly to the public on the projects funded.
Fairfax’s Measure J will repair roads and infrastructure by authorizing $18 million in bonds for 30 years. The town’s roads are notoriously in poor repair. A 66.6% supermajority is required unless state Proposition 5 passes lowering the mandated threshold to 55%. Sales and parcel taxes need only a simple majority vote.
Measure J requires an “annual independent performance audit report.” There’s no citizen oversight committee. That’s a problem given Fairfax’s town staff reputation of avoiding two-way conversations with the public or the media.
In Mill Valley, Measure L provides for a full one-cent sales tax increase. It’ll provide $4.2 million annually to fund wildfire prevention, roads, bridges and a list of other pressing infrastructure projects. The city checked all the boxes including a 10-year sunset, a comprehensive list outlining each project with specific funding designated, plus a public oversight committee.
Novato’s Measure M calls for a three-quarter-cent sales tax increase. There is no sunset clause, thus the tax will continue indefinitely. The list of proposed improvements lacks specificity other than promising to eliminate the city’s $3.8 million annual structural deficit. Another festering problem is that Novato still doesn’t have up-to-date audited financial statements required for federal and state infrastructure matching grants.
If passed, Measure P will levy an annual parcel tax in San Rafael to fund construction of a new Albert Park main library and community center. It’ll continue for 30 years or until construction bonds are paid. No funds can be used for administrator salaries. Independent oversight and annual audits are required. The one unanswered question is the fate of the current and outdated but historic and soon to be renovated 1909 Carnegie library on Mission Avenue.
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Watching the Democratic National Convention was a pleasant experience for those in the “deep blue” North Bay. Immediately after listening to former President Barack Obama, I received two emails directly from the convention floor in Chicago. One each from Larkspur Councilmember Gabe Paulson and San Anselmo Councilmember Brian Colbert, both convention delegates.
Paulson: “Obama’s speech was beyond eloquent. It was presidential, a rare balance of raw truth and grace.”
Colbert: “Both Michelle and Barack Obama are incredible at delivering powerful and direct messages. Obama’s talk reminded me why he’s the greatest orator of his generation.”
My personal surprise was that the touted mass of anti-Israel and pro-Hamas/Palestinian demonstrations outside the convention hall appeared to ultimately fizzle. I suspect that the cause promoted by many on the political left had few supporters willing to endure Chicago’s summer heat.
Columnist Dick Spotswood of Mill Valley writes on local issues Sundays and Wednesdays. Email him at spotswood@comcast.net.
