San Rafael, CA – Ross Valley has been inundated by flooding over the years, including significant winter storm events in 1956, 1982, 2005, and 2016, causing tens of millions of dollars in damages. The Marin County Flood Control and Water Conservation District, which implements flood mitigation measures for residential, business and rural areas, is proposing a 3% increase for Ross Valley’s stormwater fee.
Subsurface exploration drilling being conducted outside of the 634 San Anselmo Avenue property, which was purchased in November 2018 as part of the San Anselmo Flood Risk Reduction Project.The Ross Valley Flood Protection and Watershed Program, which is managed by the District, strives to improve public safety and protect property in the 28-square mile watershed. To keep pace with rising industry costs, staff is recommending the increase for Ross Valley property owners, as allowed by the voter-approved ballot measure from 2007.
While the ballot measure enabled a potential fee increase of 3% annually, the District did not start implementing the measure until 2014 when industry costs, such as design, labor and construction, began to outpace the fee revenue. The District produces annual reports outlining the budgetary needs, which are available online. The proposed fee increase tracks with the most recent Bay Area Consumer Price Index of 3.2%.
Residents are invited to learn more and share thoughts at a public hearing on Tuesday, August 6. The hearing will be during a session of the Flood Control District Board, which is comprised of members of the Marin County Board of Supervisors. It is tentatively scheduled to start at 10:30 a.m. in the Board chamber, Suite 330, Marin County Civic Center, 3501 Civic Center Drive, San Rafael. The time is subject to change as determined by other earlier agenda items.
Depending on a property’s parcel size, the proposed 3% fee increase would translate to between $3 and $7 more per year for owners of single-family properties in Ross Valley and between $3 and $11 more per year for owners of multifamily properties.
The funds will be used for the Ross Valley program, under which there are numerous projects in various stages of development, such as the following:
Additional information on the District’s ongoing flood mitigation efforts for the Ross Valley program, including updates on all projects and initiatives, can be found online.
Residents will be able to attend the August 6 session, watch the webcast live or archived, or tune in on Channel 27 for Comcast and AT&T U-Verse subscribers.
All public meetings and events sponsored or conducted by the County of Marin are held at accessible sites. If you are a person with a disability and require information or materials in alternative formats – or if you require accommodation to participate in a county program, service or activity – please contact department staff by email or at 415-473-7331 or 415-473-4381 (voice/TTY).