Ballot Question

A table with a proposal called 'Fairfax Town Services Measure' outlining the extension of the Town's sales tax and its impact on local funds. The table has two questions with responses 'Yes' and 'No'.

How Will Measure J Funds be Spent?
Measure J on Fairfax’s June 2, 2026 ballot would raise local revenue for town services and keep the money in Fairfax. The funds are intended to pay for public safety (police and fire), road and infrastructure repairs (potholes, repaving, retaining walls/bridges, flood mitigation), and other essential town services (bike/pedestrian improvements, safe routes to schools and disability access). Every dollar raised would remain in the Town (not sent to Sacramento).

What are Some of the Potential Consequences of the Loss of Measure J Funding?

Fairfax’s Measure J (formerly Measure C) makes up 7.5% of the Town’s budget.

Without Measure J, the Town will likely need to cut staffing, including:

  • 4 FTEs in the Police Department

  • 1 FTE in Planning

  • 1 FTE in Public Works

  • 2 FTE in Administration

Funding for Fairfax’s Artist-in-Residence program, funding for the Chamber of Commerce, and other cherished services and programs are likely to be lost.

Ballot Arguments

❋ ARGUMENT IN FAVOR OF MEASURE J

Measure J is not a new tax. It continues the responsible fiscal policy when Fairfax voters overwhelmingly passed Measure C ten years ago. Measure J renews that funding with a modest increase so Fairfax can continue providing the essential services that protect our community and preserve our small-town character.

Every dollar raised by Measure J stays in Fairfax and cannot be taken by Sacramento. These locally controlled funds support the services residents rely on every day including police and fire protection, emergency response, road repairs, and maintaining public facilities.

Fairfax cannot afford to lose these funds - public service costs have increased. Renewal of this measure with a modest increase is critically needed to fund police and fire, road repairs and other essential services. The current Measure C revenue represents more than 7% of the Town of Fairfax's total budget revenues. Without it, Fairfax would face serious budget shortfalls and cuts to the services that keep our community safe and functioning.

Fairfax has taken responsible steps to control costs and protect taxpayer dollars:

  • Conducts a rigorous and transparent budgeting process

  • Reduced pension benefits for new hires

  • Requires employees to contribute to their pension plans

The Fairfax Town Council voted unanimously to put Measure J on the ballot.

Even with these efforts, costs for public safety, infrastructure, and emergency preparedness continue to rise. Measure J establishes a 1-cent per dollar (1%) local sales tax, ensuring that visitors and shoppers who enjoy Fairfax also help support the services they use.

Fairfax operates with a lean budget and aggressively pursues grants to stretch local dollars. Measure C funding has helped: maintain locally controlled 24/7 police and fire services, rebuild the Parkade, repair storm-damaged roads, and begin critical bridge improvements.

A YES vote on Measure J protects public safety, maintains our roads, and keeps Fairfax strong.

PLEASE VOTE YES ON MEASURE J!

Stephanie Hellman, Fairfax Mayor
Frank Egger, Fairfax Vice Mayor
Barbara Coler, Fairfax Councilmember
Lisel Blash, Fairfax Councilmember
Rico Tabaranza, Police Chief, Town of Fairfax

❋ REBUTTAL TO ARGUMENT AGAINST MEASURE J

Opponents resort to misleading characterizations rather than facts. Here’s the truth:

Measure J is fully transparent. Every step complied with California law. The Town Council held public meetings, voted unanimously, and followed proper legal procedures.

The "fiscal emergency" is real, not manufactured. Without acting now, Fairfax risks losing revenue income effective April 1, 2027 and the ability to set its own tax rate permanently. California law allows counties to capture the tax “headroom” if cities don't act. It's responsible governance protecting Fairfax's public safety, funding for roads and infrastructure -our financial autonomy for generations.

A general tax is appropriate. General taxes with majority approval are standard, legal and used by hundreds of cities across California. Opponents prefer a higher threshold that would let a minority of voters’ block services the majority supports.

The "no sunset" criticism ignores history. 10 years ago, the local Fairfax sales tax Measure C which overwhelmingly passed has funded police, fire, road repairs, and the Parkade renovation. Measure J continues to support Fairfax’s fiscally strong and proven track record. Demanding an arbitrary 10-year cliff would create ongoing uncertainty for essential services.

Protect Fairfax’s public safety and infrastructure: A quarter-cent per dollar increase costs far less than the unthinkable cuts to police, fire, and other critical needs that would follow a NO vote. Deferred infrastructure is far more expensive than maintained infrastructure.

Measure J is a sales tax, not a parcel tax. Everyone who enjoys Fairfax pays their fair share, including our many visitors.

Fairfax needs these funds. Vote YES on Measure J.

Talia Friedman, Fairfax Town Treasurer
Christopher Morin, Former Fairfax Police Chief
John Bagala, President, Marin Professional Firefighters IAF-1775
Sid Jamotte, Vice President of the Ross Valley Firefighters Association
Janet Garvin, Former Fairfax Town Treasurer

How Can I Find Out More About Measure J and the Budget?

Fairfax’s Budget
at a Glance

Pie charts illustrating sources of funds totaling $15.9 million, with property taxes making up 56.8%, and a breakdown of expenses, including police at 34.7% and fire services at 26.9%, among other categories.

  • "We need Measure J to pass now, not in November. This proposed sales tax raise of a quarter-cent to 9.25% will be paid by everyone who visits and shops in Fairfax. That’s fair. Visitors use our stores, roads, parks and gas stations."

    —Spirit Wiseman, Fairfax resident

  • "Measure J is about keeping pace — preserving services residents rely on. It is a practical, measured response to rising costs and a necessary step to sustain Fairfax’s quality of life."

    —Barbara Coler, Fairfax Town Councilmember