The numbers they are not showing you. Data sourced from the California Policy Center Local Fiscal Health Dashboard (2024 audited reports).

Marin County: Grade A (85/100)

Ranked 4th of 54 counties. Looks healthy on paper, but revenue trends (C) and OPEB funding (C) mask growing obligations underneath.

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City of Novato: Grade C (67/100)

Ranked 314th of 420 cities. MODERATE RISK. Pension Obligations: F | Net Worth: F | Pension Costs: D. Strong reserves, but pension obligations are near the bottom statewide. This is where the real fiscal pressure lives.

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Novato Unified School District: Grade D (54/100)

Ranked 288th of 342 unified districts. MODERATE RISK. Pension Funding: D | Net Worth: D | OPEB Funding: F | Pension Costs: D. The district is spending beyond its means and accumulating long-term debt that taxpayers will eventually face.

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The Bottom Line

Marin County looks strong on the surface, but dig into the city and school district numbers and the picture changes fast. Novato residents are carrying pension and OPEB obligations that local leaders rarely discuss. These are not abstract budget line items -- they are future tax increases, service cuts, and broken promises waiting to happen. We deserve leaders who will tell the truth about where our money is going.

Source: California Policy Center Local Fiscal Health Dashboard (2024 data). Visit californiapolicycenter.org/fiscal-health-dashboard for full details.