San Rafael, CA - Voters in the Stinson Beach area will determine in March if a special tax should be levied to provide funding for a $5.7 million project to address flooding issues, natural creek functions and habitat enhancement.
Marin County Flood Control and Water Conservation District has called a special election for March 3 only for voters in Flood Control Zone No. 5. If the tax measure is passed by a two-thirds majority, funding from Measure A would be used to dredge Easkoot Creek from Arenal Avenue to Calle del Arroyo (twice), bypass flood flows, restore wetlands and creek habitat, maintain channel conveyance through sediment removal at the bridges and sediment basin, and continued annual vegetation maintenance.
Property taxes generate about $60,000 per year toward flood control efforts. Measure A would levy a tax of $250 annually per improved parcel and $50 per unimproved parcel over a maximum of 20 years. The tax would raise an estimated $3.68 million (65 percent) of the required funding for the upgrades with the remaining 35 percent coming from grants and private donations.
According to the Marin County Elections Office, 440 voters reside within the flood zone as of the most recent general election in November 2014.
Voters in the district should be aware of key dates in 2015:
- January 23: Voter information pamphlets to be mailed to all registered voters.
- February 2: Vote-by-mail ballots to be mailed to voters who selected this option. This is also the first day voters in the district can vote between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. in the Elections Office, Suite 121 at the Marin County Civic Center, 3501 Civic Center Drive, San Rafael.
- February 11: Contact the Elections Office if you have not received your voter information pamphlet or vote-by-mail ballot.
- February 17: Last day to register to vote in this election.
- February 24: The last day the Elections Office can mail a vote-by-mail ballot. After this day, voters wishing to vote by mail must get a ballot in person at the Elections Office.
- March 3: The polling place for this election will be at Stinson Beach Community Center, and will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Registered voters in the district may vote at the Elections Office from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. on Election Day.
For more information about the election, call 415-473-6456. For details about Measure A, check Stinson Beach page of the Marin Watershed website.