Stinson Beach voters appear to have shot down a parcel-tax measure that would raise $3.68 million over 20 years to fund Department of Public Works flood protection projects at Easkoot Creek, a major source of flooding in seaside neighborhoods.
The measure would tack on a $250 tax on 707 improved parcels and $50 for 146 unimproved parcels, and the first move would be a comprehensive dredging of the creek.
As of Tuesday night, 125 out of 221 ballots voted “yes” for the tax—a majority, at 56.56 percent—but not enough to pass the two-thirds requirement. (Of the 221 ballots, only 36 were cast at the poll; the rest returned by mail.)
County Registrar of Voters Lynda Roberts noted that a final tally will not be made until all vote-by-mail ballots are counted, which should happen by Friday.
If the two-thirds majority is not reached, D.P.W. will continue with regular maintenance of the creek.
Stinson Beach has nearly 700 improved residential parcels, according to the county assessor’s office, and only 500 registered voters. The creek has been dredged multiple times since storms in December and February filled the bed with sediment.
Both Supervisor Steve Kinsey and former Golden Gate National Recreation Area Superintendent Frank Dean endorsed the parcel tax, but some in Stinson Beach have argued that they should have more help from the county and the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.