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San Rafael strives to enhance the quality of life for all residents and to provide a safe, healthy, prosperous and livable environment in partnership with the community. Important priorities include safe neighborhoods, active community centers for our youth and seniors, emergency response services and providing social services to support our most vulnerable populations. These essential...

In addition to the health impacts of COVID-19, the restrictions put into place through the public health order have taken an unprecedented toll on our federal, state, and local economy. Economists are predicting cities such as San Rafael who are heavily reliant on sales tax, transaction and use tax (TUT), and transient occupancy tax (TOT)...

For context, revenue reductions of this magnitude represent roughly the equivalent of: San Rafael’s entire Department of Public Works Budget for one year; Two-thirds of San Rafael’s Fire Department Budget for one year; or One-half of San Rafael’s Police Department Budget for one year.

To meet our financial challenges, there are a number of efforts and programs we have implemented to reduce expenses and increase revenue, including: Hiring Freeze – A hiring freeze has already been instituted which will result in approximately $1.4 million in savings annually. Mandatory Furlough Program – The San Rafael City Council has approved a...

The City is committed to ensuring citizen safety as we face these challenging times. The City has implemented budget cuts in every department in the City of San Rafael. Greater needs and fewer staff resources available could lead to cuts in areas of homelessness initiatives, our Climate Change Action Plan, library hours in our three...

The City of San Rafael recently commissioned a survey of local residents that measured 64% support for increasing the local sales tax rate to help preserve city services. On July 20, 2020, the San Rafael City Council unanimously voted to place a measure on the November ballot that would increase the local sales tax rate...

Funding from a potential measure would support essential city services, such as: Providing disaster and health emergency preparedness - Paramedics, Fire Department, Emergency Operations Center response to emergencies. General elements of emergency preparedness include, mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery.    Maintaining 911 emergency response times - ensuring quick response times to 911 calls from the time the call hits...

If approved by San Rafael voters, the measure would increase the local sales tax by one-quarter percent, generating about $3.4 million annually, with 100% of this revenue staying in San Rafael. This sales tax would be paid for not just by San Rafael residents, but also those who work, visit and shop in San Rafael....

A potential measure would require strict fiscal accountability to ensure transparency and public oversight. Mandatory annual independent financial audits, citizen oversight, and public disclosure of spending would ensure that all funds remain in San Rafael and could not be taken by the County or State government. These fiscal safeguards would ensure funds are locally controlled...

Yes. By law, all funds from a local voter approved sales tax measure must be spent locally to address local needs. In fact, only one-quarter of one percent of local sales tax remains available under the statutory sales tax cap established in state law. The City has a very limited opportunity to capture this revenue...