San Rafael, CA – The County of Marin will hold three days of informational budget planning sessions starting Monday, March 22, to receive public feedback and Board of Supervisors comments about department workplans, emerging issues, and potential one-time budget allocations. The final fiscal year 2021-2022 Proposed Budget will be brought before the Board in June.
Residents may watch the proceedings online or watch on Comcast Channel 27. The public is invited to offer comments during the workshops (participation instructions are online); the best time to participate will be at the start of each day’s session. The County has created an online budget feedback form as well.
The County faces a $6.7 million shortfall in the next fiscal year due to the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. One-time funds will be available to address the County top priorities. The top priorities this fiscal year have been the public health emergency, racial equity, and balancing the budget. Over the three-day workshop, County staff will provide updates on cross-departmental initiatives including racial equity, criminal justice, behavioral health, homelessness, and climate change.
Budget Manager Bret Uppendahl said the workshops are a fundamental part of the County’s budget development process. “With a projected long-term structural budget shortfall and the ongoing COVID response, we need to make prudent and well-informed decisions about our one-time funding allocations,” he said.
The County’s budget overview webpage allows residents to view interactive charts and graphs through the budget dashboard.
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).