Fairfax's Measure F Passes!

Assuring matching funds for bicycle and pedestrian projects

On June 7, Fairfax residents approved Measure F, which will bring much-needed revenues to the town. Measure F garnered over 71% of the votes cast: a substantial majority; it needed at least a 2/3 majority to pass.

Measure F is a Fairfax parcel tax of $125 per year for each business occupancy and dwelling unit, for a period of five years. It also mandates a Citizen's Oversight Committee to monitor the use of the funds which were specified in the ballot measure..

Measure F revenues will be used exclusively for maintaining 24/7 police and fire services, 911 emergency dispatch, public works safety improvements, and funding for youth services.

Especially important to the Marin County Bicycle Coalition, an early supporter of Measure F, is the fact that Fairfax will be able to leverage $1.15 million in State and Federal grants for bicycle and pedestrian projects that have already been promised, through providing a 10-11.5% match through Measure F funds. The bicycle and pedestrian projects which are now assured funding through Measure F include:

• Center Boulevard reconstruction (including bike lanes and wider sidewalks)
• A Safe Routes to School bicycle and pedestrian bridge at Manor Circle
• Sidewalks on Sir Francis Drake to access Manor School

Deb Hubsmith, Advocacy Director of the MCBC served as an active volunteer on the Save Fairfax campaign committee and says, "The passage of Measure F assures that important bicycle and pedestrian projects will now be built. The MCBC was pleased to be a partner in the Campaign."

Fairfax's revenue has been negatively impacted by a variety of factors, including diversion of over $2.7 million by Sacramento, a three-fold rise in contributions to the state retirement fund (mandated by the state) since fiscal year 2000-2001, and almost $200,000 in lost revenue due to the Governor's vehicle license fee reduction.

Several other towns in Marin are considering similar local tax measures for the fall. San Anselmo will ask for a $175 per year tax in November after discussing a much higher figure. San Rafael is also considering a sales tax to pay for its shortfall. Mill Valley already has a similar tax on the books.

Click here to visit the Yes on Measure F website (www.savefairfax.org) to read more about Measure F
Click here to read the Marin IJ article on the Measure F passage