SPECIAL TOWN COUNCIL MEETING
STAFF REPORT
MEETING DATE July 22, 2026
PREPARED FOR Mayor and Town Council
PREPARED BY Christine Foster, Assistant to the Town Manager/Deputy Town Clerk Janet Coleson, Town Attorney
SUBJECT Adopt Resolution 2026-37 Reciting the Fact of the Special Municipal Election Held on June 2, 2026, Declaring the Result of Measure J (Extension and Increase of the Measure C Sales Tax), and Such Other Matters as Provided by Law
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt Resolution 2026-37.
DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS
A Special Municipal Election was held in the Town of Fairfax on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, consolidated with the Statewide Primary Election, for the purpose of submitting to Fairfax voters Measure J (the “Fairfax Town Services Measure”), a general tax measure to extend Measure C by removing its sunset and to increase its rate from 0.75% to 1%. The Marin County Registrar of Voters has completed the canvass of the results, and the appropriate Resolution has been prepared for adoption.
The results are attached as Exhibit “A” to the above-entitled Resolution. Measure J was approved by a majority of Fairfax voters:
Measure J | Town of Fairfax (majority needed)
Ballots Received/Total Registered Voters 4,065 / 5,948 68.34% Yes 2,498 63.71%
No 1,423 36.29%
Total Votes 3,921
California Elections Code sections 11328 and 10263 govern the process for declaring election results.
Specifically:
Elections Code §10263 provides that upon completion of the canvass, the governing body shall adopt a resolution reciting the fact of the election and declaring the results. The Council does not have discretion to decline adoption of the certification resolution based on any disagreement with the election results. Any disputes as to the validity of the results must be pursued through the courts as set forth in the California Elections Code.
Because Measure J was approved by voters, the Fairfax General Transactions and Use Tax Ordinance (amending Chapter 3.10 of the Fairfax Municipal Code) shall be deemed adopted and will take effect ten (10) days after the Town Council certifies the election results by resolution. The new 1% rate will not take effect until April 1, 2027, following the sunset of the current Measure C rate, ensuring no gap in tax collection.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
The proposed action pertains to the organizational activities of the Town and does not constitute a “project” under the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”), and it can be seen with certainty that it will have no impact on the environment. Thus, this matter is exempt under CEQA.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with the adoption of the certification resolution.
ATTACHMENT
Resolution 2026-37 with final certified election results
Town of Fairfax
Resolution No. 2026-37
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-37
A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF FAIRFAX, CALIFORNIA RECITING THE FACT OF THE SPECIAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION HELD ON JUNE 2, 2026,
DECLARING THE RESULT OF MEASURE J (EXTENSION AND INCREASE OF THE MEASURE
C SALES TAX), AND SUCH OTHER MATTERS AS PROVIDED BY LAW WHEREAS, a Special Municipal Election was held and conducted in the Town of Fairfax, California, on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, consolidated with the Statewide Primary Election, as required by law; and
WHEREAS, by Resolution 2026-03, adopted March 4, 2026, the Town Council called the Special Municipal Election and submitted to the voters of the Town of Fairfax a general tax measure to extend the Town's Transactions and Use Tax (Measure C, codified in Chapter 3.10 of the Fairfax Municipal Code) by removing its sunset and to increase its rate from three-quarters percent (0.75%) to one percent (1%); by Resolution 2026-04 the Town Council requested that the Marin County Board of Supervisors consolidate the Special Municipal Election with the Statewide Primary Election held on June 2, 2026; and by Resolution 2026-05 the Town Council provided for the filing of direct and rebuttal arguments regarding the measure, which was designated by Marin County as Measure J; and
WHEREAS, notice of the election was given in the time, form and manner as provided by law; voting precincts were properly established; election officers were appointed; and in all respects the election was held and conducted and the votes were cast, received and canvassed and the returns made and declared in the time, form and manner as required by the provisions of the Elections Code of the State of California for the holding of elections in general law cities and towns; and WHEREAS, pursuant to California Elections Code sections 10263 and 11328, the Marin County Registrar of Voters canvassed the returns of the election and has certified the results to this Town Council; the results are received, attached, and made a part hereof as Exhibit “A”.
NOW, THEREFORE, the Town Council of the Town of Fairfax hereby finds, determines and resolves as follows:
Section 1. That the whole number of ballots cast in the precincts, including vote-by-mail ballots and provisional ballots, was 4,065 of 5,948 registered voters (68.34%), as detailed in the Official Canvass attached as Exhibit “A.”
Section 2. That the local measure voted upon at the election was as follows:
Town of Fairfax
Resolution No. 2026-37
Measure J
“Fairfax Town Services Measure. Shall the measure to extend the Town’s sales tax by removing its sunset and to increase its rate from ¾% to 1%, generating approximately $1,300,000 annually in local funds until ended by voters and that cannot be taken away by the State, to maintain general Town services, such as public safety and emergency response, improve infrastructure such as repairing and repaving streets, subject to annual independent audits, be adopted?”
YES
NO
Section 3. That the number of votes cast in each precinct, and the number of votes cast in the Town for and against Measure J, are set forth in Exhibit “A,” which is attached hereto and incorporated herein by this reference. The certified results for Measure J are as follows: Yes – 2,498 votes (63.71%); No – 1,423 votes (36.29%); Total Votes – 3,921.
Section 4. The Town Council does declare and determine that as a result of the election, a majority of the voters voting on Measure J did vote in favor thereof, Measure J was carried, and it shall be deemed adopted and ratified. Accordingly, the Fairfax General Transactions and Use Tax Ordinance, amending Chapter 3.10 of the Fairfax Municipal Code to extend the Town’s Transactions and Use Tax by removing its sunset and to increase its rate from 0.75% to 1%, shall be deemed adopted and shall take effect ten (10) days after the adoption of this Resolution certifying the election results, with the 1% rate becoming operative on April 1, 2027, following the expiration of the current Measure C rate.
Section 5. The Town Clerk shall enter on the records of the Town of Fairfax a statement of the results of the election, showing: (1) the whole number of votes/ballots cast in the Town; (2) the measure voted upon; (3) the number of votes cast at each precinct for and against the measure; and (4) the total number of votes cast for and against the measure.
Section 6. Compliance with California Environmental Quality Act. The Town Council finds that this Resolution is not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) (the activity will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment) and 15060(c)(3) (the activity is not a project as defined in Section 15378) of the State CEQA Guidelines, California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Chapter 3, because it has no potential for resulting in physical change to the environment, directly or indirectly. Further, if the activity is deemed a project, the Town Council finds that this Resolution is exempt pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the State CEQA Guidelines.
Section 7. The Town Clerk shall certify to the passage and adoption of this Resolution and enter it into the book of original resolutions.
Section 8. Severability. If any section, subsection, subdivision, sentence, clause or phrase in this Resolution or any part thereof is for any reason held to be unconstitutional, invalid or ineffective by any court of competent jurisdiction, such decision shall not affect the validity or effectiveness of the remaining portions of this Resolution or any part thereof. The Town Council hereby declares that it would have adopted each section irrespective of the fact that any one or more subsections, subdivisions, sentences, clauses, or phrases are declared unconstitutional, invalid, or ineffective.
Town of Fairfax
Resolution No. 2026-37
Section 9. Effective Date. This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon its adoption.
PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED by the Town Council of the Town of Fairfax at a duly noticed regular meeting held in said Town on the 22nd day of July, 2026, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
__________________________________
STEPHANIE HELLMAN
MAYOR
ATTEST
___________________________________
CHRISTINE FOSTER
DEPUTY TOWN CLERK
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CERTIFICATE OF ELECTION
I, NATALIE ADONA, the Registrar of Voters for the County of Marin, in the State of California, do hereby attest to the completion and accuracy of the canvass of the votes cast at the
Statewide Direct Primary Election, held on June 2, 2026, for measures and contests submitted to the voters, and
that the Statement of Votes Cast is full, true, and correct.
The official record is retained with the office of the
Marin County Elections Department, and the
Official Final Results summary is provided herewith.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have set my hand and
affixed my official seal on this 26th day of June, 2026.
Registrar of Voters, County of Marin
EXHIBIT A
Marin County Elections Department
Statewide Direct Primary Election
June 2, 2026 Election Results
Measure B
Sonoma Marin Area Rail Transit District (majority needed) Precincts Reported: 74 of 74 (100.00%)
Ballots Received / Total Registered Voters 105,152 / 173,082 60.75% Contest Total
Yes 76,332 75.91%
No 24,222 24.09%
Total Votes 100,554
Measure C
Kentfield School District (2/3 needed)
Precincts Reported: 6 of 6 (100.00%)
Ballots Received / Total Registered Voters 5,620 / 9,066 61.99% Contest Total
Yes 4,176 77.33%
No 1,224 22.67%
Total Votes 5,400
Measure D
Larkspur Corte Madera School District (55% needed)
Precincts Reported: 6 of 6 (100.00%)
Ballots Received / Total Registered Voters 6,619 / 10,902 60.71% Contest Total
Yes 4,324 68.47%
No 1,991 31.53%
Total Votes 6,315
Measure E
Mill Valley School District (2/3 needed)
Precincts Reported: 12 of 12 (100.00%)
Ballots Received / Total Registered Voters 15,210 / 23,705 64.16% Contest Total
Yes 11,055 75.21%
No 3,644 24.79%
Total Votes 14,699
Marin County Elections Department
Statewide Direct Primary Election
June 2, 2026 Election Results
Measure G
Novato Unified School District (2/3 needed)
Precincts Reported: 11 of 11 (100.00%)
Ballots Received / Total Registered Voters 23,855 / 40,150 59.41% Contest Total
Yes 15,160 66.01%
No 7,806 33.99%
Total Votes 22,966
Measure H
Ross Valley School District (2/3 needed)
Precincts Reported: 8 of 8 (100.00%)
Ballots Received / Total Registered Voters 12,794 / 18,506 69.13% Contest Total
Yes 9,334 74.91%
No 3,126 25.09%
Total Votes 12,460
Measure I
Sausalito Marin City School District (55% needed)
Precincts Reported: 3 of 3 (100.00%)
Ballots Received / Total Registered Voters 4,352 / 7,983 54.52% Contest Total
Yes 2,919 71.39%
No 1,170 28.61%
Total Votes 4,089
Marin County Elections Department
Statewide Direct Primary Election
June 2, 2026 Election Results
Measure J
Town of Fairfax (majority needed)
Precincts Reported: 2 of 2 (100.00%)
Ballots Received / Total Registered Voters 4,065 / 5,948 68.34% Contest Total
Yes 2,498 63.71%
No 1,423 36.29%
Total Votes 3,921
Measure K
City of San Rafael (2/3 needed)
Precincts Reported: 11 of 11 (100.00%)
Ballots Received / Total Registered Voters 19,102 / 33,248 57.45% Contest Total
Yes 14,394 78.01%
No 4,057 21.99%
Total Votes 18,451
Measure L
Firehouse Community Park Agency (2/3 needed)
Precincts Reported: 1 of 1 (100.00%)
Ballots Received / Total Registered Voters 643 / 898 71.60% Contest Total
Yes 483 78.03%
No 136 21.97%
Total Votes 619
Measure M
Muir Beach Community Services District (2/3 needed)
Precincts Reported: 2 of 2 (100.00%)
Ballots Received / Total Registered Voters 202 / 276 73.19% Contest Total
Yes 185 92.96%
No 14 7.04%
Total Votes 199