[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6192976,"mediaKeyId","3868655-48b8a6b584e9c60f6489e22f1c16fecc","parentId",3868655,"title","Corte Madera staff present two-year budget, council asks for clarifications on reserves, sales tax and parks funding","audioSeconds",221,"startMs",2437000,"endMs",2658000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3868655-48b8a6b584e9c60f6489e22f1c16fecc&start=2437&end=2658","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3868655-48b8a6b584e9c60f6489e22f1c16fecc/thumbnail_2437000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6192976/California/Corte-Madera-staff-present-two-year-budget-council-asks-for-clarifications-on-reserves-sales-tax-and-parks-funding","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6192976-7f66247fe7b5c19a5b73d1fcc5cdfb93/orig.mp4?Expires=1771156896&Signature=XiJuqDlW6NfCtTJWllhOVw2urms-Ap~Sb6-kIXBO~L6xfBRBtC-SkXnSpf0kvqls3w2ynPd6PYRilIlRe1CeboOocvA2Lxk2N4mGlnMe0jXxv5-z-niP08fl8mY8ghHj5FRjAwGhaasgwv7EUzVFBx3XBoU4LlLdcVzTY~tMbiSslpZOwza4Jp695~NM-G3~nfCwETBJcBXoJ7q5QgGn3KOnv5jNrLXn5gxkPpT2lNfRH~4FtCWc6LIDsbaTBqDr8QPSkgMhS9~Jb~j60WO-w3zjhvYKk~uu-5YhvhY~xAxVbicEfmCDflOBHQY42cD2GZoJY~614nSXDiFnSKpyWw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town of Corte Madera, California","date","2025-06-19T21:15:09.16Z","article","Corte Madera, Calif. — Corte Madera officials presented a two-year operating budget for fiscal years 2025–26 and 2026–27 on June 17 as the town begins a two‑meeting review process ahead of a possible July 1 vote.

Finance Director Chris Petlock and Town Manager Adam led the presentation, showing staff projections that assume flat overall revenues next year with a modest 1–1.5% increase the following year. “We’ve really tried to be very conservative in our outlook at each line item,” Petlock told the council as he described sales‑ and property‑tax reliance and plans to build the general fund reserve from 20% to 25% of operating expenditures.

The budget shows an estimated general fund surplus of about $1.9 million in 2025–26 and a smaller surplus the year after; staff proposed moving portions of those surplus amounts into a town capital fund and an equipment and technology fund to pay for infrastructure and replacements. Petlock said the town expects to spend roughly $12–13 million on capital and related non‑capital community initiatives in the first two years of the plan.

Why it matters: Corte Madera’s budget shapes which parks, flood‑control, and climate adaptation projects the town can advance—and how aggressively it builds reserves to weather potential economic downturns. Council members repeatedly pressed staff for clearer explanations of revenue assumptions, fund structures and program‑level performance.

Council questions and staff responses

- Sales tax and TOT: Council members asked whether store closures and national tourism shifts would materially reduce sales tax and transient occupancy tax (TOT) receipts. Petlock said the town uses consultant HDL to forecast sales tax and flagged that some recent spikes reflected one‑time corrections; staff intentionally pulled estimates back for prudence. On TOT he said the town is modeling a potential decline tied to local hotel changes and longer‑term shifts in San Francisco overflow demand.

- Reserves and long‑range planning: Council member Andrews noted the projected decline in ending fund balance by year three if trends continue and asked for a clearer definition of what the reserve must cover. Petlock said staff will refine what the reserve is intended to replace (payroll, contracted services, time to pivot after a revenue shock) and bring a clearer policy back to council.

- Parks & Recreation finances: Several members pressed for more program‑level detail after staff said recent sports registration produced an unexpected surplus this year but that the department projects operating deficits in coming years. Petlock said he will break out recreation and parks program performance — registration, childcare, preschool and other programs — by line item and return recommendations on pricing and subsidy options.

- Capital planning and fund structure: Council members asked which funds are “real” and whether low‑balance funds should be consolidated. Petlock said he will review the town’s fund architecture (including creation of a separate debt service fund) and bring recommendations for consolidation or closure where appropriate.

- Shoreline/parking and other minor funds: Council members asked about the shoreline parking fund and several small or zero‑balance funds not currently visible in the main budget PDF. Petlock said staff would add clarifying labels and include those funds in future documents.

Next steps

The budget was presented for review and will return to council on July 1 for formal consideration. Petlock told the council the two‑year adoption is a starting point: “Even if the council moves forward and approves this on July 1, this gets looked at again every six months,” he said, describing routine mid‑year adjustments as revenue and expense information is updated.

What staff will deliver: council members requested (1) a clearer worksheet showing which projects are covered by each fund, (2) a program‑level profitability and subsidy analysis for Parks & Recreation, (3) a plain‑language memo on the purpose and allowable uses of the affordable housing fund, and (4) a proposal to reorganize or close obsolete funds.

Ending: Council members praised the work done so far but emphasized caution: several said Corte Madera is in a relatively strong fiscal position compared with some Bay Area peers but urged conservative planning given uncertain economic conditions. Petlock and the town manager will return with revisions and additional detail ahead of the July 1 meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Corte Madera Town Council June 17, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Corte Madera, Calif. — Corte Madera officials presented a two-year operating budget for fiscal years 2025–26 and 2026–27 on June 17 as the town begins a two‑meeting review process ahead of a possible July 1 vote.","taxTitle","Corte Madera Town, Marin County, California","taxId",72211,"location","California","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6192961,"Sanitary District No. 2 outlines $21M in near‑term upgrades; board consents to Tiburon Fire station annexation request to LAFCO",1086,7980000,9066000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3868655-48b8a6b584e9c60f6489e22f1c16fecc&start=7980&end=9066","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3868655-48b8a6b584e9c60f6489e22f1c16fecc/thumbnail_7980000.jpg","/articles/6192961/California/Sanitary-District-No-2-outlines-21M-in-nearterm-upgrades-board-consents-to-Tiburon-Fire-station-annexation-request-to-LAFCO","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6192961-dc6907779d0910fe2bf2aa81badb3013/orig.mp4?Expires=1771156896&Signature=XPttYMdYH2BWGBywGBLXwZqNYdOv-MjxwDKWS9W3GyL-zihxcv9a6~b7EJDDt25bEdQb0OKA5fMgT5ChLpexQJjk1UOE~FGSBjCi06Gb5TOTtzfAB24j~SfGm4bartEGoxxYuVULMlHEztidH6uRU7OlUEheBIMLz70TCsK9rEh7PeieL8F3Z1UAflj3tPPkXdYaZbMyrNOj29arqGtqmMqauGpHNo86Ho0LgRrD823poeiI9QqmhhgEaAgJvqDwmRmFEetZSwaWtXJTaLfNUAdZnfZvG8ZuNVs1KlFj7vRni5Kle4B0rdbjp-~LYWE-nVxaKfigPFE-Fp6vE1gSpA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Corte Madera, Calif. — Sanitary District No. 2 presented a capital‑intensive two‑year operating budget on June 17 and the board unanimously consented to a petition by the Tiburon Fire Protection District to annex a new station parcel (4301 Paradise Drive) into the district’s sphere of influence for connection to the town sewer system.

District staff outlined major capital projects and near‑term spending needs

District staff said the Sanitary District will spend heavily on reliability and redundancy projects in the next two years, including the Paradise Pump Station rehabilitation, a Paradise force‑main bypass and a major valve and flow‑meter replacement near the freeway that improves the district’s ability to isolate and manage flows coming from adjacent jurisdictions. “We are doing major upgrades in pumping, electrical, civil, operation system to improve safety and reliability,” Sanitary District staff said of the Paradise Pump Station work.

Fernanda, senior district staff, told the board that the planned capital spending in the two‑year plan was roughly $21 million and that staff will use financing tools, including certificates of participation, to fund the program and avoid immediate fiscal strain on ratepayers.

Why it matters: The sanitary district’s capital program aims to increase system resiliency and reduce the risk of unplanned bypasses or overflow during high flows or equipment failure. Projects such as the Paradise Pump Station rehabilitation and force‑main bypass are intended to provide operational redundancy and make it easier to service critical valves and meters.

Annexation consent for Tiburon Fire station

The board voted to approve a resolution consenting to a petition by the Tiburon Fire Protection District asking the Marin Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) to add the fire station parcel to Sanitary District No. 2’s sphere of influence and to annex it for sewer service. Staff said the station’s proposed connection can be served by the district’s existing infrastructure and that all costs for annexation, permitting and connection would be borne by the property owner; staff described the annexation as categorically exempt under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

Board questions and next steps

Board members asked whether annexation could lead to other nearby parcels seeking connection; staff said any boundary changes require LAFCO approval and an application process, and the board’s consent is one step in that process.

The budget and capital plan will return to the board for formal adoption after staff incorporates final financing and schedule detail. The annexation consent will move forward to Marin LAFCO for consideration.

Ending: The board praised staff for the presentation and requested an August update showing project prioritization, financing options and an implementation schedule.","Sanitary District No. 2 staff presented a two‑year operating and capital plan that includes major pump station and force‑main work and an estimated $21 million in capital projects; the board consented to a Tiburon Fire Protection District petition to annex a new fire station parcel into the sanitary district for sewer service.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6192967,"Council adopts new staff classifications, EV charging reimbursement and MOU update for field supervisor",348,6600000,6948000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3868655-48b8a6b584e9c60f6489e22f1c16fecc&start=6600&end=6948","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3868655-48b8a6b584e9c60f6489e22f1c16fecc/thumbnail_6600000.jpg","/articles/6192967/California/Council-adopts-new-staff-classifications-EV-charging-reimbursement-and-MOU-update-for-field-supervisor","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6192967-d3fec1133f22e9635cad7872345c2b11/orig.mp4?Expires=1771156896&Signature=GwSWl5q5omdK3Dzzy7HiYrh3NMHdhUz01s-r5s0OQodnOlSWz~uj~CjoaUQbfXiCZqPvMMGzHHm5PA7DpNXQFTq6AU475hbrIiT23wRgAII4xBHdrKoHUWW0PKkSod8bO~9GXZluJIBsylE7G0fBiO5bFdSsNsS1uLGcK4zCkB0EImPLiAqwhsmDMNsxnVqHYyjwXiYTEvVjcS1E8eI-shGTpvp3SgnqE0y~kIDi5Lrf4GW-KaGNePDAQ9Cb2Z74PsSeDoeC9uP6DfiZf84qHPT5H5qC1RGAfL6z7JhtzHTOCumZUW0RCwUNMb2TMV7Ot1NqFdiiLLOcVMYxb1KIXg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Corte Madera, Calif. — The Corte Madera Town Council on June 17 adopted a set of personnel and benefits changes that created two new job classifications, standardized reimbursable expense language for electric‑vehicle (EV) charging, and amended a union memorandum of understanding to extend educational reimbursement and a professional development premium to a field supervisor position.

New classifications and salary schedules

The council approved two resolutions creating a deputy district manager classification in the public works/sanitary district series and a principal planner classification in the community development series, aligning those titles and salary steps with the town’s mid‑management scale. Staff noted minor corrections to salary steps and clarified figures are set in current fiscal year salary tables.

EV charging and department head reimbursement

Two resolutions standardizing reimbursable expenses were adopted to allow town employees to be reimbursed for EV charging costs when using town vehicles or otherwise incurring charging costs associated with town business. Staff said the town will track EV‑charging reimbursements and evaluate use once the changes take effect.

SEIU MOU amendment for field supervisor

The council also approved a negotiated amendment to the memorandum of understanding with SEIU (service employees) to add educational reimbursement and a professional development incentive premium for the field supervisor job classification. Staff said this amendment corrects an earlier oversight when the position was created.

Roll calls and votes

Each of the items was approved by roll call. Council members Andrews, Beckman, Casiza, Vice Mayor Rosa Thomas and Mayor (Revazio/Avasio) voted yes on the job classifications, EV reimbursement and the MOU amendment.

Implementation and follow‑up

- Town staff will implement the salary and classification updates in payroll and HR systems effective with the adopted salary schedules.
- The finance director will track EV charging reimbursement amounts and report usage in future fiscal reviews.
- Human Resources and the town manager will update personnel manuals and collective bargaining files to reflect the MOU amendment.

Ending: Council members thanked staff for bringing the items back with requested clarifications; there were no public speakers on these items.","Corte Madera council approved new job classifications for public works and planning, a resolution to allow staff reimbursement for electric vehicle charging, and a memorandum of understanding change that provides educational and professional development benefits for a field supervisor position.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6192972,"Council pushes staff for clearer minutes and easier access to meeting transcripts",550,1715000,2265000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3868655-48b8a6b584e9c60f6489e22f1c16fecc&start=1715&end=2265","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3868655-48b8a6b584e9c60f6489e22f1c16fecc/thumbnail_1715000.jpg","/articles/6192972/California/Council-pushes-staff-for-clearer-minutes-and-easier-access-to-meeting-transcripts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6192972-cc1e4bf3a37a1a5720ec74257fb19a2c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771156896&Signature=cODsyVA0f~bWfz78566SjqgWIUR7I-TedVmXe9OtMvhSVGbjuy-0RkFhHWAXlEnssdbwbKnYItm5kOuTXaIFMasPF9dGp2z~EzXnwCVzeDDAtNkzxa0Xpll8FvfNKGalpZucQZyaqZOQvmCwc29RQObM~4xzPdGeYI9hhiasS91ECWFZLo0WI7~BGaEzN48Yk9IMCksGVX9zxy4iPgGTSxYtvWNc5rQiAjIhNj5ROfPsib7KArX7vFF8Byn5hYGTBXZFLonptDn4wyhsYi0P0gxPWwf2E0WyIT9exO~syDqWi7nWY2-d1eRTFwZqBgJ7SlapaWTP7DtLkFbPL25SaA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Corte Madera, Calif. — Council members asked staff on June 17 to make meeting minutes more useful for public and council reference, pressing for a simple list of action items and clearer links to meeting transcripts.

The issue surfaced during the consent calendar when a council member asked that item 4(g), the draft minutes, be pulled for discussion. Council member Andrews said: “At the very least… I'd like to see at the end of each minute sort of a list of… action items.”

Why it matters: Minutes are the official record of public decision‑making. Council members argued that minutes should capture the rationale and follow‑up tasks so future readers can understand why a decision was made and who was assigned follow‑up work.

Staff response and interim solution

Town staff noted the time and labor required to produce more detailed, action‑oriented minutes and said they would consult with the records manager to determine the effort needed. Staff also highlighted an interim way for the public to access detailed meeting text: the town’s YouTube meeting recordings include autogenerated transcriptions and staff has begun linking specific agenda items directly to time‑stamped YouTube transcripts. “YouTube does it, just not us,” a staff member said while demonstrating the linked transcription guide.

Council direction and technology discussion

- Council and staff agreed to discuss expectations further and return with a plan for whether and how to include action‑item summaries in published minutes. The town manager said staff and the clerk’s office would confer and report back at the next meeting.

- Several council members raised the possibility of automated minutes or AI summaries. The town attorney cautioned that automated text cannot replace human review for official minutes at present; staff said AI‑generated summaries can be used for internal reference but an approved human‑reviewed record remains required.

Next steps

Staff will explore options for adding action‑item lists to minutes or providing an administrative addendum, evaluate the resource impact, and return with a recommended process. In the short term, the town will continue to provide time‑stamped YouTube transcripts linked from the draft minutes as a transparency measure.

Ending: The council approved the draft minutes after the discussion and asked staff to return with specific proposals for how to memorialize council requests and next steps in the minutes going forward.","Corte Madera council members pressed staff to make minutes more useful, asked for action items and next‑step summaries, and discussed use of AI and YouTube transcripts as an interim solution. Staff agreed to review options and return with recommendations.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Corte Madera staff present two-year budget, council asks for clarifications on reserves, sales tax and parks funding

Sanitary District No. 2 outlines $21M in near‑term upgrades; board consents to Tiburon Fire station annexation request to LAFCO

Council adopts new staff classifications, EV charging reimbursement and MOU update for field supervisor

Council pushes staff for clearer minutes and easier access to meeting transcripts