What is the current status of the City’s emergency medical services?
Approximately 80% of San Rafael Fire Department responses are medical in nature. Since 2011, emergency medical calls for service have grown from 4,647 to 7,946. That is an increase of 71%, but the Department has not increased permanent front-line emergency medical response resources since a second dedicated paramedic ambulance was added in 1994. An independent operational assessment found the Department's two dedicated paramedic ambulances are insufficient to consistently meet industry-recognized response time objectives, in part because both ambulances are frequently committed to simultaneous incidents.
What is the SAFE Team?
The SAFE (Specialized Assistance For Everyone) Team is an alternative-response program consisting of trained specialists who respond to certain nonviolent calls involving behavioral health, substance use, homelessness, and related issues. The team responds to more than 3,000 calls for service annually — roughly 8% of all Police Department calls — that would otherwise typically require two police officers and, in many cases, Fire Department or medical support.
How is the SAFE Team funded?
The SAFE Team is currently grant-funded through fiscal year (FY) 2026-27 and does not have an ongoing, dedicated local funding source. The City continues to evaluate long-term funding options for the program.
About the City's budget
How are city services funded?
City services are funded through a combination of property taxes, sales taxes, service charges, development fees, grants, and other local, state, and federal revenues. Some funding sources are legally restricted and may only be used for specific purposes.
Does the City have a balanced budget?
Yes. Each year, the City Council adopts a balanced budget while weighing competing priorities, such as public safety, infrastructure, parks, recreation, libraries, and other municipal responsibilities. Some revenues are legally restricted and cannot be redirected to other purposes.
A balanced budget does not necessarily provide resources for long-term infrastructure replacement, deferred maintenance, or anticipated future service demands. The City's FY 2026-27 Budget is balanced but required several balancing measures to address a baseline deficit of $1.0 million. The City's forecast projects continuing General Fund deficits through FY 2029-30, growing to an estimated $2.0–$3.0 million.
About the proposed Real Property Transfer Tax measure
What is this ballot measure?
On July 20, 2026, the San Rafael City Council adopted a resolution calling for a General Municipal Election on November 3, 2026, to submit a measure to voters that would amend Chapter 3.22 of the San Rafael Municipal Code. The measure would increase the City's existing real property transfer tax (RPTT) rate and add a provision for public oversight of the resulting revenue.
What is a real property transfer tax?
A real property transfer tax is a one-time tax collected when ownership of real property changes, typically through a sale. Unlike an annual property tax, which is paid every year by property owners, a transfer tax is paid only at the time of transfer, making it a transaction-based revenue source.
How much is San Rafael's current transfer tax, and what would change?
San Rafael's current real property transfer tax rate is 0.2% of a property's value ($2.00 per $1,000 of assessed value) at the time ownership changes. If approved by voters, the measure would increase that