Politics & Government

Corte Madera to Hold Public Hearing on Sales Tax Increase

The Town Council is considering placing a measure for a 1/2 cent sales tax increase for six years on the Nov. 5 ballot.

 

With a survey showing that more than half of residents would support a sales tax increase, the Town Council is moving forward with plans to place the measure on the November 5 ballot, and launch a publicity campaign if approved.

On Tuesday, Aug. 6 at 7:30 p.m. in Town Council Chambers, residents can weigh in on a proposed ½ cent increase for six years. The revenue would be used to maintain town services, including: current levels of local fire prevention, flood control, streets and potholes, disaster preparedness, safe routes to schools, and senior and youth programs. A citizens committee would review the spending, and the funds would be subject to annual audits.

Find out what's happening in Larkspur-Corte Maderawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The move follows a report from Godbe Research showing around 60 percent of residents are likely to vote for the measure, with about 26 percent saying ‘definitely yes,’ and between 34 – 36 percent saying ‘probably yes.’

Corte Madera’s sales tax is currently at 8.5 percent, and this would raise it to 9 percent if passed. Planning Commissioner Peter Schwartz has said according to the California Board of Equalization there are 29 towns in Marin that currently have an 8.5 percent sales tax, and five that are at 9 percent.

Find out what's happening in Larkspur-Corte Maderawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“We’re seeing a lot of soft support,” said Vice President Charles Hester when presenting the results of a month-long, $20,000 phone survey to council members. In order to keep that support, he recommended the board speak to local community groups, send out direct mailings, and establish a phone bank to inform residents of the town’s financial situation and the need for a sales tax increase.

“I would say you guys are in a very good situation to be able to pass a measure,” Hester said. “The public education and outreach is going to be key for this.”

The Council considered a ¼ cent sales tax, but, as the research from the survey showed, and as resident Jana Haehl put it, “there’s no significant difference in the minds of the voter between a half-cent and a quarter-cent.”

“I think you’ve got a bigger problem, and that’s the election,” she said. “Absentee ballots go out 60 days from now, and that gives you 60 days to do a public education campaign. It’s going to be a tough sell in terms of educating voters that it’s even on the ballot.”

With a $10 million deficit, the town has limiting spending, cut staff and deferred projects to try to build up the empty reserve fund with little success. Passing a ½ cent sales tax increase would enable Corte Madera to establish a 10 percent reserve fund by the centennial, said Town Manager David Bracken.

All council members agreed the sales tax increase is necessary.

“We’ve worked really hard over the last six years to control costs,” said Councilmember Bob Ravasio. “I keep asking myself do we need to do this? There’s got to be another way. And I can’t figure out another way.”

Mayor Diane Furst also expressed her support.

“Corte Madera is blessed with being very strongly retail based and we’re obviously going to be benefiting from that with the sales tax measure,” she said. “But I don’t want this to be an ongoing source to support our budget. I therefore will reluctantly support a half-cent.”


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here