On June 10, the City Council adopted a $11.8 million budget for the 2024-25 fiscal year. Despite generally healthy finances, the staff report and the Council discussion highlight concerns related to the growing fire funding deficit, rising pension costs, and essential capital improvements. This budget prioritizes repairing three sections of Beach Road via the $2.2 million Beach Road Stabilization Project, funded over three years and scheduled for implementation in FY2026-27.
In a related resolution, the Council voted to authorize the existing Fire Tax, which is used exclusively for fire protection and emergency medical services. The City Council is required to pass this annual resolution to allow the tax to be collected and to adjust the per-parcel rate based on a population and cost of living formula. Belvedere residents originally approved this tax in 1980 to fund the City’s contract with Tiburon Fire Protection District. While the Fire Tax was designed to fully fund the City’s fire protection and emergency medical services, the tax revenue has not kept pace with the service costs. The tax this year will generate only 47% of the cost of services, with the remaining cost subsidized through our General Fund.
The City Council also approved a request from Mill Valley Refuse Service for a 7.86% fee increase from July 2024 through June 2025. The adjustment is modestly more than recent annual increases primarily so the agency can maintain its service standards while addressing new economic challenges.