Dick Spotswood: Voters in Mill Valley, Sausalito, San Rafael Eye Ballot Proposals
Three of Marin’s 11 cities have measures on the November ballot which relate solely to issues within their boundaries: Mill Valley, Sausalito and San Rafael.

Measure T is Mill Valley’s renewal of their current municipal service tax of $303 per residential property. It has a 2% annual adjustment and sunsets in 10 years. Of the tax’s proceeds, 80% fund street repair and 20% go to vegetation management to clear flammable foliage. A two-thirds supermajority is required for passage.
Tax proponents proudly point to its accomplishments. Before passage, Mill Valley’s pavement condition index was 57, the second worst of Marin streets. Today, it is 76, making it second best among Marin’s municipalities behind Larkspur. City Manager Todd Cusimano says, “We need to finish the job. Measure T isn’t a forever tax.”

• Measure T is Mill Valley’s renewal of their current municipal service tax of $303 per residential property. It has a 2% annual adjustment and sunsets in 10 years. Of the tax’s proceeds, 80% fund street repair and 20% go to vegetation management to clear flammable foliage. A two-thirds supermajority is required for passage.
• Sausalito voters will decide Measure X by a simple majority vote. It seeks to change the 40-year-old law which governs land use in the Marinship neighborhood. Voters and members of the City Council are bitterly divided on the issue.
Measure X would repeal Ordinance 1022, which reads, in part, “Where a (Marinship) parcel is already developed, no conversion or change in use may be permitted when that conversion or change in use will result in increased commercial usage or density.” It now takes a ballot measure to authorize any change. If Measure X passes, modifications will be decided, as they are in other Marin cities, by the council majority.
During my walk about Marinship, I saw the results of Ordinance 1022. They include businesses in the small boat marine industry and thriving houseboat communities. Bad results included square blocks containing “totaled” autos and others filled with junk. Measure X proponents say, if passed, it’ll facilitate a vital business community with shops, cafes and marine-related businesses that can expand and prosper.
• A 50% majority of San Rafael voters will determine the fate of Measure W to increase the city’s real estate transfer tax from 0.2% to 1%. The city says that its “essential services protection measure” will guarantee sufficient funding for public safety services, addressing homelessness and illegal dumping. City officials intend to use a portion of the revenue for a third dedicated firefighter/paramedic ambulance, including the staffing necessary to operate it 24/7, 365 days a year.
Opponents say it’s another never-ending appeal for more money. Real estate brokers contend property transfer taxes increase the cost to home buyers and sellers.
• In Tiburon, five town council candidates are vying for two posts. They include six-term veteran Councilmember Alice Fredericks; incumbent and chair of the Richardson Bay Regional Agency Jack Ryan; hedge fund founder Faris Jafar; attorney, planning commissioner and Tiburon-Belvedere Rotary Club president Kathleen Defever; and Parks, Open Space and Trails Commissioner Chuck Hornbrook.
Candidates are focused on town finances, the looming impact of sea-level rise, the decades-long frustration of traffic congestion on Tiburon Boulevard and, as Defever says, “We’re not ready for an emergency on the peninsula.”
• In San Anselmo three are running for two Town Council posts. They include current Mayor Steve Burdo. Professionally, Burdo is Contra Costa County’s communications officer. Philip Chigos, a financial strategist specializing in risk mitigation for the corporate creative sector, and Will Dittmar, CEO of ExtraFood, a nonprofit that rescues excess food and delivers to people facing hunger, are also running.
A hot issue in The Hub City is maintaining and growing its vibrant downtown. That includes reimagining its potential centerpiece, Creek Park. As in all Ross Valley communities, there’s a debate on how best to mitigate threats from flooding and wildfire.
• Check out the campaign for the open state Assembly seat in Marin-Sonoma District 12 on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. Running are Marin Supervisor Eric Lucan and Rohnert Park Vice Mayor Jackie Elward. I’ll moderate the forum on Zoom sponsored by the Coalition of Sensible Taxpayers. Registration is required at bit.ly/4hxqzcQ.
Columnist Dick Spotswood of Mill Valley writes on local issues Sundays and Wednesdays. Email him at spotswood@comcast.net.