Body of News Release
UPDATE 5/6: The Board accepted the proposed budget.
Marin County, CA – After factoring in economic uncertainty at the federal and state level, the Marin County Office of the County Executive (OCE) will present a balanced proposed budget for fiscal year 2025-26 to the Board of Supervisors on May 6. Public budget hearings are set for May 19-21, with an anticipated Supervisors’ vote on the final afternoon.
The proposed County budget, across all funds, totals $865.8 million and increases 6% over the current year, including $10.4 million in one-time funds allocated toward one-time enhancements and pilot initiatives. The General Fund Budget of $660 million is increasing by 7% compared to the prior year.
The proposed budget, coordinated by the OCE Budget Team, is balanced, structurally sound, and maintains current levels of services to the Marin community. The largest portion of increased costs reflect mandated County contributions to the state for MediCal reimbursements and are fully cost-covered; they will not directly impact services provided to residents. Other increased expenditures are required to meet state mandated mobile crisis response services and wildfire response. Additional adjustments reflect staffing reorganizations based on recently completed assessments for the Office of the County Executive and District Attorney’s Office, as well as adjustments throughout the organization to keep pace with the cost of providing services.
“The County team has worked hard to develop a balanced budget in these challenging times,” said County Executive Derek Johnson. “The proposed budget continues to drive Marin toward goals that matter, including infrastructure enhancements, climate change adaptations, solutions for homelessness and affordable housing, and building on a sense of belonging for all. I'm really excited about the new and bold focus of the Board to promote community vitality in a unique way, one that will improve quality of life for existing and future generations.”
The largest sources of revenue in the budget are taxes (42%) and the state and federal governments (37%). The largest expenditures are for the County workforce’s salaries and benefits (56%) and public services and supplies (32%). Roughly 70% of the County budget is for mandated programs such as public health, public safety, and justice-related services.
Learn more about the County budget process on the OCE website.
The May 19-21 hearings will be aired live and later archived. The Monday session begins at 9 AM and will feature public comment. Feedback prior to the meeting can be submitted online. Those interested in contributing comments during the meeting may join online or in the Board chamber at Suite 330, Marin County Civic Center, 3501 Civic Center Drive, San Rafael. The hearings continue at 1:30 PM Tuesday, and the final Wednesday session starts at 1:30 PM.
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For disability accommodations, please phone (415) 473-4265 (voice), CA Relay 711, or e-mail the OCE Budget staff at least five business days in advance of the event. The County will do its best to fulfill requests received with less than five business days’ notice. Copies of documents are available in alternative formats, upon request.