San Rafael, CA – The County of Marin is recruiting community members to help oversee and decide how certain federal and state revenues ought to be spent, plus money generated from a local tax on West Marin visitors. Applications will be accepted through October 13.
The Marin County Community Development Agency (CDA) has opened the application period for its Countywide Priority Setting Committee and two other groups that will make recommendation on how to use revenue from a West Marin transient occupancy tax on short-term rental properties called Measure W. In this participatory process, the County is encouraging those from underrepresented backgrounds and protected classes to apply for the committee positions.
The County of Marin seeks volunteers from diverse backgrounds and expertise in finance-related professions to serve on several committees.With committee input, the County will distribute federal, state, and local money set aside for nonprofits and public agencies for various community purposes in Marin
There are three openings on the Countywide Priority Setting Committee, which makes recommendations to the Board of Supervisors on the distribution of federal funds through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnerships Programs (HOME), and state funds through the Permanent Local Housing Allocation (PLHA). The committee establishes funding priorities and reviews grant applications from local nonprofit and public agencies for affordable housing, community infrastructure and services to low- and moderate-income households.
This year, the County is seeking one new member from each of the following three areas:
- Fairfax, Ross, San Anselmo, and adjacent unincorporated communities;
- Belvedere, Mill Valley, Sausalito, Tiburon, and adjacent unincorporated communities, including Marin City, Strawberry and Tam Valley; and
- Countywide, as an at-large member.
CDA is especially encouraging residents who represent the interest of racial and ethnic minorities and people with disabilities. Applicants may live or work within a town or city or in the unincorporated areas. The Countywide Priority Setting Committee typically meets four evenings a year for approximately two hours at a time.
Applications for the Countywide Priority Setting Committee are on CDA’s Housing and Federal Grants website, by emailing the CDA staff, or by calling (415) 473-6279. The application deadline is 4 p.m. Friday, October 13.
Measure W, passed by local voters in 2019, increased transient occupancy taxes on West Marin visitors staying at hotels, motels, bed & breakfasts, and short-term rentals from 10% to 14% to address tourism impacts. The Measure W geographic boundaries include coastal West Marin from Muir Beach to Dillon Beach and inland communities including Nicasio and the San Geronimo Valley.
The taxes paid by vacationers amount to about $1.2 million each year, about half of which may be devoted to housing-related projects to address West Marin’s severe shortage of affordable housing for its workforce. The other half is dedicated to enhancing fire and emergency services for residents and visitors.
West Marin residents and employees are encouraged to apply for the Measure W Working Group on Community Housing and the Measure W Oversight Committee. There is a strong need for experts in accounting, auditing, and other finance professions.
The two bodies are slightly different in scope. The Measure W Working Group evaluates local priorities in connection with ongoing housing needs and meets with CDA staff several times a year to recommend funding priorities that are passed along to the Board of Supervisors. The Measure W Oversight Committee reviews expenditures from the occupancy tax to ensure that the money is allocated within the West Marin tax area and designated for purposes approved by the voters. Those purposes are fire protection, other emergency services, and community housing.
Applications for the two Measure W committees are on CDA’s Measure W website, by emailing the CDA staff, or by calling (415) 473-6279. The application deadline is 4 p.m. Friday, October 13.