Mill Valley Plans Municipal Service Tax Extension for Road Repairs

Mill Valley officials are poised to seek voter approval for the extension of its municipal service tax (MST) for another decade. This initiative aims to ensure continued funding for vital road repairs and the management of flammable vegetation. City Manager Todd Cusimano presented this assessment during a City Council meeting on October 20, 2023, as part of a broader strategic discussion focused on future infrastructure needs and local revenue sources.

“We will have to continue with the MST,” Cusimano stated. He emphasized that if executed correctly over the next ten years, the city could potentially eliminate the need for such a tax in the future. Councilmember Urban Carmel echoed this sentiment, stating, “This is not a forever tax. This is really the end game, I think, for the next round.”

The MST, first approved by voters in 2016, has been instrumental in generating approximately $2 million annually through a $266 tax on single-family residences. This revenue stream serves as the largest funding source for Mill Valley’s paving programs and is set to expire at the end of the 2026-2027 fiscal year. City officials indicated that to extend the tax, a measure must be placed on the ballot in 2026.

Funding Road Maintenance and Improvements

Before any ballot measure is finalized, public works staff and the City Council will evaluate and present plans for upcoming road repairs and enhancements. Andrew Poster, the Public Works Director, noted that each year features a significant paving project, funded by a combination of sources including general fund receipts, road impact fees, gas taxes, and grants from various government levels.

“What we bring to council is a paving program that’s based on the goals that council sets: how well they want the pavement to look or how they want it to feel or be treated,” Poster explained. He highlighted the importance of prioritizing which streets to pave first, whether it be the most deteriorated or maintaining those already in good condition.

Since the MST’s inception, revenue totaling around $20 million has contributed to substantial improvements in Mill Valley’s roads. Cusimano reported that the city’s pavement index, a grading system that assesses road conditions, improved from 58 in 2014 to 74 as of 2023-2024. “We’re right in the middle of where we want to be,” he remarked, indicating that ongoing efforts will continue to enhance road quality.

Future Plans and Community Engagement

Looking ahead, Mill Valley’s primary thoroughfares will receive some attention, but efforts will increasingly shift towards residential areas over the next five to ten years. Cusimano announced that a detailed plan outlining the proposed road work will be presented in November. This will allow city officials to make informed policy decisions regarding the future of the MST.

The upcoming discussions and decisions will directly impact the community, ensuring that residents are aware of how the MST can continue to support essential infrastructure improvements in Mill Valley. As the city prepares for this pivotal moment, public engagement will be crucial in shaping the future of local services and road maintenance.