Budget Planning Stresses Resilience Amid Uncertainty In Marin County

MARIN COUNTY, CA — A focus was placed on resilience and strategic use of reserves, especially as major debts are paid down and state and federal policy changes loom at the December Marin County Board of Supervisors meeting.

The Marin County Board of Supervisors reviewed a thorough financial outlook, planning for fiscal years 2026–28, as staff detailed both opportunities and challenges facing county finances.

Marin County is embarking on a multi-year strategy tightly focused on six Board-defined priorities: community and economic vitality, equity and inclusion, sustainability, affordable housing and homelessness prevention, infrastructure investment, and organizational excellence.

A core element of this approach is the launch of Marin’s first five-year consolidated Capital Improvement Plan, which will prioritize preserving and maintaining existing assets, replacing aging infrastructure, and only then considering new projects. Project ranking will also factor in equity, urgency, health, safety, and direct input from the community.

Financially, Marin’s fiscal years ‘26 to ‘28 outlook remains stable but cautious, with projected property tax growth of about 4.5–5 percent per year and a year-end surplus estimated at $10 million. The county is preparing to make its final pension obligation bond payment in 2027, a milestone that will free up approximately $13 million annually for infrastructure and strategic initiatives.

Major budget challenges include potential increased health care costs from federal policy shifts, while opportunities include investing in affordable housing, homelessness programs, road safety, and capital upgrades. Maintaining sizable reserves and carefully managing one-time funds also remain central pillars of Marin’s fiscal resilience.

Joshua Swedberg, Marin County’s budget officer, highlighted the approach to resilient planning.

“When we as staff prepare this proposed budget before your board, we are always starting with our North Star, the county mission, and making sure we align that to our priorities and our service and so again, making sure that our proposed financial plan addresses your mission of providing excellent services that support healthy, safe and sustainable and equitable communities, is where we are moving,” Swedberg told Patch.

Supervisors showed appreciation for Marin’s strong fiscal stewardship.

“I’m really pleased that we’re in a position to continue to invest in our facilities, really start to continue to address a lot of deferred maintenance, and look like we’ll be having even more funds available,” Supervisor Eric Lucan told Patch.

As the county approaches the final payments on its pensions bonds, additional revenue may be redirected to road improvement, public safety, or other key infrastructure. “We do have reserves…to backfill towards a more constructive conversation with your board about how we would need to adjust our budget while mitigating any impacts on the short term to our residents,” Swedberg told Patch, emphasizing community-oriented planning.