Town Budget

Fiscal years run from July 1 to June 30.

The budget includes revenue projections and spending plans for the next upcoming year for Town departments. Work starts on the budget in late winter for the upcoming fiscal year that starts on the next July 1.

How it works

Budget - How it works image

Budget facts

Where does the money come from?

General Fund Revenues – $15.0 MillionChart showing breakdown of revenues

  • Property Taxes – 56.3%
  • Sales Taxes – 14.0% (including Measure C and other local sales tax)
  • Other Taxes & Fees – 15.0% (e.g., UUT, Hotel Tax, Franchise Fees)
  • Service Charges – 4.7%
  • Measure F – 5.3%
  • Use of Fund Balance – 5.2%

How town funds are spent

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.Pie chart of expenditures

General Fund Expenditures – $15.0 Million

  • Public Safety (Police & Fire) – 59.3%
  • Town Administration – 10.0%
  • Development Services (Planning & Building) – 8.4%
  • Public Works – 7.0%
  • Non-Departmental Expenses – 7.6%
  • Parks & Facilities Maintenance – 2.8%
  • Recreation & Community Services – 2.2%
  • Town Council – 2.6%

Expenditure catagories

  • 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.

Contract services breakdown

  • 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

Resources

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