San Rafael oversight panel signs off on audited finances, discusses expiring library tax and Safe Team funding

The San Rafael Tax Oversight Committee on Dec. 11 reviewed audited fiscal-year results for several voter-approved tax measures and approved its annual committee report, while discussing how the city should track and present spending tied to those measures.

Staff told the committee the audit produced no corrections to the numbers members reviewed in October. “We didn't have any audit corrections,” said S2, the staff finance representative presenting the materials. Committee members then discussed several voter-approved measures, how revenues are tracked and when any renewal measures would need to be placed on the ballot.

Resident Ken Dickinson urged clear public reporting and plain-language explanations of how tax dollars are spent. “When residents vote to approve a tax, they're really placing trust in the city,” Dickinson said during public comment, urging the committee to focus on transparency and accountability.

On Measure D, the parcel tax that supports library services, staff said the tax is set to expire on June 30 and currently produces roughly $1.2 million of the library's approximately $4 million budget. Staff said they expect to discuss ballot options with the council’s finance subcommittee in January and possibly bring a renewal or replacement measure to the council in February to meet the internal timeline (the city clerk and attorney's deadline to call an election and approve ballot language is the council’s first March meeting).

Committee members also questioned the use of Measure G (the cannabis tax). Staff said a portion of Measure G covered a shared consortium subscription for parcel data — the city's portion of that annual invoice is about $7,000 — and that overall Measure G revenues have declined in the short term after a recent rate reduction.

The committee spent substantial time on the Safe Team, a community safety program created as a three-year pilot. Staff said the pilot runs through March and that they are preparing a funding package to extend the program, ideally for two to three additional years. Staff noted several funding sources that could support the Safe Team going forward, including a police department grant of about $460,000–$470,000, proceeds that may be available from statewide opioid settlement allocations and continuation of Measure G revenues where feasible.

Members also discussed Measure E and Measure R funds and how portions of those general-purpose taxes have been earmarked by policy for essential facilities and related debt service. Staff described mechanics that transfer a portion of Measure E revenues to Fund 420 to track capital projects and debt service for the public safety center and said the committee's proposed bylaw changes are intended to make the committee's tracking role and reporting expectations clearer.

The committee approved its annual report and recommended bylaw edits to clarify the committee's responsibilities for tracking voter-approved tax receipts and, where possible, expenditures. The motion to approve the report was made by S3, seconded by S4 and recorded as approved by a 3–0 vote with two abstentions. Staff said the report and a draft council resolution to enact the bylaw changes will be presented to the finance subcommittee on Jan. 20 and then to the full council in early February.

The meeting adjourned at 6:17 p.m.