Marin County Supervisors Add Parks Tax Measure To November Ballot
SAN RAFAEL (KCBS) - The Marin County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday added a quarter-cent tax increase measure on the November ballot that will fund and improve its parks, open spaces and agricultural projects.
Despite the abundance of tax measures on November's ballot, including the governor's proposed tax increase, and the state parks' hidden accounts scandal, the measure's backers say the county's parks are underfunded and in need of repair.
KCBS' Jeffery Schaub Reports:
"This is a time when our community can stand up and say we are going to take care of these issues for ourselves," said Supervisor Steve Kinsey.
"We're not going to see the money go to Sacramento and disappear"
The added measure contrasts with Sonoma County, where the Board of Supervisors there reversed course last week and decided not to place a parks funding measure on this November's ballot.
Gov. Brown has asked California voters to approve tax increases to the state's wealthiest residents, of which Marin County has a high percentage. Kinsey admits voters may feel taxed out but said the parks are integral to Marin.
"These are things that the community really defines as our cultural identity and quality around taking care of our parks and open space," he said.
The ballot measure will need a two-thirds majority to pass and would provide $90 million over nine years for agricultural preservation, park acquisition, trails management and money to help cities improve and maintain their parks.
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