Town Budget

Property and sales taxes combined typically represent over 60-70% of the Town’s total sources of revenue. Other sources of revenue include a mix of local taxes, Measure F funds, and service charges, such as Planning and Building permit fees.

Police and Fire represent nearly 60% of general fund expenditures. Non-departmental expenses reflect those expenses not attributed to departments such as liability/workers compensation insurance, litigation fees, animal control services, and retiree health contributions. General Administration includes Finance, Town Manager, Town Clerk, and Human Resources functions.

• Approximately 33% of General Fund expenditures are for salaries and benefits.
• Contractual services represent approximately 34% of expenditures, which includes Fire services.
• Other Operating expenses include those costs not classified as professional service such as retiree health payments, liability/workers compensation insurance, and chipper days.

• Fire Services: Over two-thirds of the Town’s contract service expenditures are dedicated to fire services. The Town is a member of the Ross Valley Fire Department (RVFD) Joint Powers Authority, which provides fire protection services to Fairfax, Ross, San Anselmo, and Sleepy Hollow.
• Legal Services: The Town contracts with Public Agency Law and Best, Best, & Krieger for Town Attorney services.
• Other Major Expenditures: The largest expenses in the “Other” category include:
• • Town Auditor services
  • Upcoming elections
  • Licensing for finance and payroll systems
• Non-Departmental Services: This category includes professional services that are not attributed to specific departments, such as:
  • Animal control
  • IT services
  • Yellow school bus services
  • Town website and webcast services
• Public Works Services: This includes expenditures for outside professionals in areas such as:
  • Engineering services
  • Tree trimming services