Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Marin County, California public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
33 issues with medium priority
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Lomita Drive road rehabilitation
Phase 1 of the Lomita Drive road project was approved with its environmental review — paving improvements for that neighborhood.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Opioid settlement funding for public health
The County accepted $656,570 from the Kroger opioid settlement, spread over nine years, to support public health and behavioral health recovery services.
Road sealant and pavement projects
The County awarded $1.94 million for its 2026 road sealant project and $395,920 for pavement digouts — maintenance work you'll see on county roads this year.
Franchise hauling fee reduction
Trash hauling fees in unincorporated Marin are dropping by 2%. It's a modest cut, but it shows up directly on garbage bills for residents in franchise service areas.
CalFresh program status
The Board heard how CalFresh enrollment is trending and how federal policy changes could affect food assistance — plus a CalFresh Awareness Month proclamation to boost participation.
Code enforcement improvements
The County is rethinking how it handles code enforcement after community feedback, with a presentation on process improvement alternatives — no final decision yet.
Community facility grants for West Marin
Four contracts worth about $722,000 will help finish the Bolinas Community Land Trust office space, ELM's new music building, the Mesa Park playground, and the San Geronimo Valley Community Center's arts center.
Housing Authority leadership transition
The Marin Housing Authority appointed Renee Brewer as Interim Executive Director starting April 2 while it searches for a permanent leader. The agency's programs and services continue under interim management.
Departmental Work Programs and Organizational Excellence
County departments — Community Development Agency, Public Works, and Marin Housing Authority — were set to report on how they're implementing Organizational Excellence recommendations. These affect permitting speed, infrastructure, and housing programs.
Wildland-Urban Interface building code amendment
The board is loosening the fire code slightly to allow fire-retardant-treated wood as an exterior building material, matching state code. Final adoption is scheduled for February 10.
Childcare safety-net funding
The county renewed a $250,000 contract with the Marin Child Care Council to provide childcare subsidies for struggling families.
West Marin speed limits
Ordinance No. 26-001 replaces speed limits on San Geronimo Valley Drive and Sir Francis Drake Boulevard in west Marin.
Project Labor Agreement for Fire Headquarters
The county will use a Project Labor Agreement for building the new Marin County Fire Headquarters. The PLA sets labor terms — wages, hiring, and working conditions — for the construction project, a topic that drew ten public speakers.
County Digital Services Program
Marin County’s digital accelerator is pushing local agencies to collaborate on tech instead of working in silos. The goal is simpler, faster resident services and less frustration when dealing with county government.