Corte Madera council approves $1.2 million transfer to capital and recreation funds to shore up five‑year plan

The Corte Madera Town Council voted unanimously Feb. 3 to transfer $1,000,000 from undesignated general fund balances into the town capital fund and $200,000 into the recreation capital fund to support the town’s five‑year capital plan and to provide cash for large, water‑side projects and emergency needs.

Finance Director Chris Petlock presented the recommendation, saying preliminary year‑end numbers showed an undesignated general fund balance of about $4.3 million and staff projects roughly $2.5 million of undesignated balance at the close of the current fiscal year if projections hold. "We brought forward our preliminary actual report to town council, and we were showing a preliminary surplus to the general fund, with an ending balance of around, with an end ending, undesignated general fund balance of about $4,300,000," Petlock said during the presentation.

Petlock and staff emphasized conservative revenue and expense assumptions and said the transfer would allow the town to fund anticipated capital priorities in the near term. He noted large out‑year needs tied to waterfront infrastructure, including a shorebird marsh pump station replacement and the Marina Village flood berm, and told council that many grant programs for such work are reimbursement‑based — requiring the town to front costs.

Council members pressed staff for details about specific projects, including whether money for the corporate yard repair was identified in the capital plan and how parks projects such as a proposed fitness court would be accommodated. Petlock said some projects are already included in year‑one of the plan and that additional funds placed in the recreation capital fund would be available as projects advance through design and commission review.

Resident Roy Wolford raised public comment during the business item to ask how a loss of homes in Mariner Cove would affect town revenue and urged the council to publish sensitivity analyses. Petlock invited Wolford to attend the finance advisory committee meeting where staff will present an insurance‑coverage review and a 10‑year forecast and sensitivity work.

A motion to adopt Resolution 042026 (transfer $1,000,000 to the town capital fund and $200,000 to the recreation capital fund) was made, seconded and approved on a roll‑call vote by all members present.

Council directed staff to continue refining the capital plan and to provide updates at midyear and as specific projects proceed to design. The resolution takes effect immediately and staff said they will return with project‑level details as work is scheduled.