Marin County Open Space District adopts FY2025–26 budget; Measure A to fund fuels reduction, parks and grants

The Marin County Open Space District Board on May 20 adopted the district's proposed FY2025–26 budget after a public hearing and staff presentation.

Chris Chamberlain, general manager of the Marin County Open Space District, told directors the department's consolidated program relies on three primary revenue sources: the open space property tax (about $10.7 million projected), Measure A sales tax (about $17.7 million projected) and roughly $2.5 million from county general fund sources such as park reservation fees and rents.

Why it matters: Measure A provides the majority of the districts flexible revenue. Chamberlain said Measure A is intentionally structured: 65% of the Measure A revenue supports parks/open space operations; 25% of that 65% is mandated for boots‑on‑the‑ground wildfire fuels reduction; and 10% of the 65% is set aside for potential land acquisition. Measure A also set aside 20% for a sustainable agriculture program and 15% as a pass‑through to cities and towns by population formula.

Key allocations and programs

- Measure A totals: staff projected about $17.7 million in Measure A revenue for the coming year; staff are programming roughly $3.3 million of Measure A fund balance for projects this year. - Wildfire fuels and emergency preparedness: the budget continues funding a TAM fire crew and foundry crew, grazing contracts, Conservation Corps North Bay partnerships, hazard tree removal and other fuels reduction programs. Chamberlain said fuels reduction programming is central to county wildfire resilience. - Parks and facilities: Chamberlain listed improvements at the Civic Center campus, Lagoon Park (restroom planning), Stafford Lake accessibility and a McNears Park seawall and electrical modernization program. The budget includes $1 million set aside to advance accessibility improvements and a potential inclusive playground project. - Sustainable agriculture grant program: Measure A funds a new food, agriculture and resilient ecosystem grant program; staff said year two will distribute about $1 million in grants ranging from $5,000 to $200,000 to support local food systems, prescribed fire on working lands, and farm access projects. - Cities & towns pass‑through: about $2.66 million is slated for the countys cities and towns under the Measure A per‑capita formula.

Supervisor questions and public access

Supervisors praised the presentation and asked for specifics on projects. Supervisor Colbert asked about expanding pickleball courts at McGinnis; Chamberlain said staff found less‑expensive modifications to existing courts that will expand capacity without large new construction. Supervisor Rodoni asked about the Balinas Y wetland restoration project and whether the board could visit the site after construction; Chamberlain said the project is on track and anticipated to be suitable for a ribbon cutting after construction ends.

Board action

Supervisor Rodoni moved to adopt the Open Space District budget; Supervisor Milton Peters seconded. The board voted aye with no recorded opposition and adopted the FY2025–26 Open Space District budget.

What to watch

Staff noted grant opportunities including potential Prop 4 climate‑adaptation funding for shoreline and marsh projects (for example McGinnis Marsh and other evolving shoreline work). Chamberlain also flagged a Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy regional grant supporting forest health that could further fuel fuels‑reduction work across multiple public landowners. "This is a great opportunity for us to partner and make our forests more resilient," Chamberlain said. The district will proceed with grants and partnerships and said it will return with details as projects advance.