Marin County’s three-day budget workshop just wrapped up, with local leaders trying to sketch out a 2026–28 spending plan. They’re facing some big unknowns—federal and state funding feels shaky, housing is a mess, and every town from San Rafael to Novato and Sausalito seems to have its own demographic curveball.
A recent survey says residents are most worried about housing affordability. The county’s also rolling out a new strategic plan, calling it a “north star,” aiming to modernize and tackle climate change and the needs of an aging population.
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Marin County’s Budget Workshop Sets Course for 2026–28
Over three days, supervisors and top staff met in civic centers from San Rafael to Mill Valley. They’re trying to figure out how to invest and deliver services with less money coming in.
Marin’s total revenue sits at about $865.8 million, and about a third of that goes to Health and Human Services. That covers things like CalFresh, CalWORKS, Medi-Cal, disease control, and programs for people experiencing homelessness.
Local leaders worry that changes in federal and state policy—especially anything tied to the 2025 HR1 budget—could dump more costs onto Marin. Towns like Fairfax and Corte Madera might feel the squeeze first.
Officials say they need to keep core services running but also stay flexible. The choices made during this workshop will ripple out to things like housing support in San Anselmo, youth programs in Novato, and healthcare in Sausalito.
Financial Backdrop: Funding Uncertainty and Revenue Trends
Supervisors flagged that shifting federal and state rules could mean less help for programs like SNAP and emergency care for immigrants. That would push more responsibility onto the county.
In response, they want to add $500,000 next year for immigrant support services, legal aid, and the Rapid Response Network, which picks up multilingual calls whenever immigration enforcement rumors start flying. These steps are meant to keep basic services stable while Marin figures out how to deal with all the moving pieces.
There was also talk about Bay Area traffic and transit—especially the headaches on Highway 101 and the region’s rail lines. People who live outside Marin but work here rely on these systems, and that shapes the county’s planning.
Housing and Renter Pressures Across Marin
Marin’s housing stock barely budged—just 1.6% growth in a decade, compared to the state’s 7.3%. The median price for a single-family home in November 2025 was around $1.59 million, even after a 5.4% dip.
About 56% of renters are what they call “cost-burdened”—paying over 30% of their income for housing. In San Rafael, the average rent in 2025 hovered near $2,900.
Only about 37% of locals actually work in Marin. So, the workforce depends on jobs and housing in places like San Anselmo and Corte Madera. That just makes the whole transportation and affordability mess even trickier for service workers who can’t afford to live here.
Demographics and the Demand for Services
Projections say Marin’s population will drop about 2% over the next 20 years. But the number of residents aged 65 and up is expected to jump by 15%.
This shift means more demand for healthcare, assisted living, and a wider range of housing—from affordable apartments in Novato to flexible cottages in Tiburon and Sausalito. At the same time, Marin wants to keep its environmental protections strong, especially with rising sea levels looming.
Officials say the new strategic plan is a much-needed update after 25 years without a unifying vision. They’re aiming for a more modern, data-driven approach, with lots of collaboration between towns like San Rafael, Mill Valley, and Fairfax.
A New North Star: Marin’s 25‑Year Strategic Plan
County executives introduced the plan as a framework to guide investments in housing, sea-level rise projects, and climate resilience. They want to focus on trying new things, measuring results, and making adjustments along the way.
The plan also pushes Marin to sync up its digital systems and health services, and rethink housing policies from Ross to San Geronimo. It’s a big shift from the old, piecemeal way of doing things.
Investments on the Table for Immigrant Services and Health
The budget calls for expanding legal aid and growing the Rapid Response Network to protect residents if immigration enforcement ramps up. Health and Human Services still take up a big chunk of the county’s money, funding CalFresh, CalWORKS, Medi-Cal, disease control, and homelessness programs.
The goal is to make sure Marin’s most vulnerable residents—from San Rafael to Sausalito and everywhere in between—get the care and support they need.
- Housing affordability and supply expansion in towns like Novato and Corte Madera
- Homelessness services and rapid response to crises in San Anselmo and Larkspur
- Climate resilience and sea-level rise planning in Marin City and upper Marin counties
- Immigrant support and legal aid to sustain community safety nets
- Transportation and infrastructure improvements to relieve commuter strain on rails and highways
What Marin Residents Should Watch
From San Rafael to Sausalito, Tiburon to Novato, locals should keep an eye on how the north star plan turns into real programs. Expanded immigrant services might pop up in Corte Madera, and mobile clinics could roll into Marin City.
As budget hearing season gets going, Marin’s towns will have to figure out how to balance growth and preservation. The challenge? Protecting Marin’s character while facing new realities in housing, healthcare, and climate.
Here is the source article for this story: Housing Tops Priorities For Marin County Budget Amid Federal, State Uncertainties
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