They appear to have rejected a quarter-cent sales tax measure to finance a passenger train from Cloverdale in Sonoma County to Larkspur but voters in Sonoma County appear to have approved it with a large enough margin to pass it.
Measure Q, the SMART train measure requires two-thirds approval of the combined voters in both counties. The vote in Marin was 62.62 percent in favor. The measure was passing handily in Sonoma County with 73 percent approval. The measure appears to be passing with 68.6 percent approval of voters in both counties, according to unofficial results.
Mill Valley School District voters passed Measure A, a $193 increase of the existing $427 parcel tax and the extension of it for four more years. It required two-thirds approval and received nearly 74 percent approval.
The revenue will be used to maintain library services and physical education programs, preserve small neighborhood schools and class sizes and prevent significant budget cuts due to reductions in state funding.
Voters in Marin County passed Measure B, which allows the Board of Supervisors to appoint a director of finance. Currently voters elect two people, an auditor controller and a treasurer-tax collector.
The director of finance position consolidates those duties under a public administrator who can only be removed after a public hearing and a four-fifths vote by the supervisors. County officials say consolidating the positions will save $100,000 a year. Opponents questioned whether the director of finance will have autonomy. Measure B required majority approval and 59.4 percent of the voters approved it.
Fairfax voters approved Measure C, an ordinance requiring the use of recyclable paper or reusable bags by retail establishments including eating establishments and food vendors. It required majority approval and received 78.5 percent approval.
Measure D was down 1.16 percent, but remained too close to call, according to complete unofficial election results. It calls for the appointment of a town clerk, currently an elected position. It also requires a majority approval but appears to have fallen short with 49.42 percent approval.
The Twin Cities Police Authority Community Facilities District asked voters in Corte Madera and Larkspur to approve Measure E, a $20 million bond measure to improve 911 emergency response, ensure disaster preparedness and maintain school and community policing. It required a two-thirds approval and appears to have passed with 69.2 percent approval.
The money also will be used to finance and equip an energy efficient earthquake-safe police emergency operations center and upgrade emergency communications systems.
Residential units will be taxed $109 a year and commercial units would be taxed 10.6 cents per square foot to pay for the bonds. The measure needed two-thirds approval to pass.
Voters in the Marinwood Community Services District passed Measures F and G. The measures reauthorize for four years existing taxes for fire protection services and park maintenance.
The fire protection service tax of 18 cents per square foot of residential properties and $60 per acre of undeveloped property was last approved in November 2003 and began in 2004. It will raise $594,000 a year before county collection fees are deducted, district director Tom Horne said.
The $164.20 annual parcel tax for park maintenance was approved in March 2005. It will provide $293,000 annually before county fees are deducted, Horne said.
Both tax measures required majority approval. Measure F passed with 78.5 percent in favor and Measure G received 75.2 percent approval.
Voters in Sausalito returned two incumbents to the City Council, according to unofficial results. Seven candidates ran for three seats.
Michael Kelly was re-elected with 1,755 votes. Incumbent and current Mayor Amy Belser, a communications consultant, got 1,687 votes and corporate education manager Linda Pfeifer received 1,455 votes.
Incumbent Paul Albritton did not run for re-election.
The contest was the only city or town council election on the ballot.
