Renewing Expiring Local Funding for Town Services

San Anselmo is a wonderful place to live, raise a family and retire. With great local schools and stunning natural beauty, the Town of San Anselmo is committed to protecting a small-town ambience, access to parks and open space, historic downtown and a great overall quality of life.

Locally Controlled Funding Set to Expire

In 2013, San Anselmo voters approved a half-cent sales tax that supports Town services and infrastructure, including repairing potholes, repaving roads, reducing traffic congestion, maintaining and improving sidewalks, drainage and street medians and preserving public safety. However, this funding is soon set to expire.

Renewing locally controlled funding would continue the Town’s progress in repairing and maintaining neighborhood streets and roads. If this funding is not renewed by voters, San Anselmo will lose $1.2 million in local funding, requiring the Town’s pothole repair and street maintenance program to be cut by at least 50 percent.

Renewing Funding for Local Needs

The Town of San Anselmo is currently considering placing a measure on the November 2022 ballot to renew the current ½ cent sales tax and potentially increase the rate to one cent. This would provide approximately $2.4 million in locally controlled funding that could be used to:

• Repair potholes and maintain streets
• Reduce the impacts of drought with new water sources and storage
• Improve fire protection services
• Maintain 9–1–1 emergency, firefighter and paramedic response times
• Maintain bridges and retaining walls
• Improve and maintain Town parks

Fiscal Accountability Required

A renewal measure would require the same strict fiscal accountability provisions as required by the current measure, including:

• An independent citizens’ oversight committee, mandatory financial audits and annual public spending disclosure to the community
• By law, no money could be taken away by the State
• Essential purchases like groceries and medicine are exempt from a sales tax to ensure the cost is not a burden to those on fixed or limited incomes

Share Your Priorities

Please share your opinions and priorities as the Town of San Anselmo considers options for renewing local funding. Email questions or comments to localfunding@townofsananselmo.org.