Sausalito Marin City School District moves toward tax pitch

Voters in the Sausalito Marin City School District could be asked to support its first parcel tax this fall.

The district’s board of trustees will vote on a resolution for a potential parcel tax ballot measure on the Nov. 5 ballot at a meeting on July 18. The board has already asked a tax consultant, Larry Tramutola of Oakland, to draft a resolution for review at the meeting.

“We’re the only Marin school district that does not have a local funding source or parcel tax,” board president Lisa Bennett said at a meeting on June 13. “That puts us at a disadvantage for recruiting and retaining exceptional staff and for funding essential programs.”

Plans call for the resolution to outline a tax of 15 cents per square foot that would generate between $1.3 million and $1.5 million annually for the district. The measure would need approval by two-thirds of voters to pass.

“At this point, we feel the reward potential is great, and the risk is minimum,” said Bennett, who serves on a committee with superintendent LaResha Huffman and other trustees to explore tax options.

Bennett said that although the time frame to file for Nov. 5 is short, the next opportunity would not be until a special election in June 2025 or in November 2026. The deadline to place a measure on the Nov. 5 ballot is Aug. 9.

“This is a prime time to do it,” Bennett said. “It’s a little rushed, but I think we can do it.”

Bennett said a tax based on square footage would be the most equitable for the district. A standard parcel tax, conversely, would assess the same flat rate regardless of the property’s size.

The 15-cent rate means the owners of a 2,000-square-foot home would pay a $300 tax annually. Owners of a home with 10,000 square feet would pay $1,500 annually.

“Many feel that this is a much more equitable structure,” Bennett said.

The assessment for large commercial properties would be capped at either $5,000 or $7,000, Bennett said. Low-income senior residents would be eligible to claim an exemption from the tax, she said.

Other exemptions would be for publicly owned properties such as federal, state, county or city facilities. The district’s 380 floating homes would not be taxed, although residents there would still be allowed to vote, Bennett said.

Public housing residents would not be taxed, Huffman said.

“It’s worth mentioning that most public housing parcels are owned by tax-exempt entities,” she said.

Apartment building residents, similarly, would not be taxed, although the property owners would be unless they have an exemption.

“These apartment units are typically on one large parcel, or maybe two or more large parcels,” Huffman said.

Huffman said she will develop a list of potential uses for the tax revenue for the board to review at the July 18 meeting. If approved, the list would be added to the ballot documents.

Typically, school district parcel taxes are used to pay for staff salaries and programs.

“I support this moving forward,” trustee Bonnie Hough said at the meeting. “I’m happy to consider this and to see from the superintendent about the range of uses.”

Trustee Lauren Walters agreed.

“I think this makes a lot of sense,” he said.