Marin Transportation Authority Endorses Sales Tax Spending Plan

The changes will shift some Measure AA revenues toward traffic corridors and school crossing guards.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 11:40pm

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A photorealistic studio still life featuring a collection of premium, polished metal and glass objects arranged elegantly on a clean, monochromatic background, conceptually representing the allocation of transportation funding to balance local and regional infrastructure needs.A conceptual still life representing the careful allocation of transportation funding to balance the needs of local roads, major corridors, and community safety programs.San Rafael Today

The Transportation Authority of Marin board approved a plan to redistribute some of the Measure AA transportation sales tax revenue to support key traffic corridors and increase funding for school crossing guards. The changes stem from the first six-year spending review of the half-cent sales tax, which was extended by voters in 2018 to collect about $35 million annually through 2049.

Why it matters

The plan aims to address local public works directors' requests to bring back a 'major road category' of funding that previously supported overhauls of key thoroughfares like Miller Avenue in Mill Valley and Sir Francis Drake Boulevard. The increased funding for school crossing guards also responds to rising program costs that have threatened cutbacks.

The details

Under the new expenditure plan, 4% of revenue will be shifted from the local roads fund to a new 'reimagined roadways' fund designed to support major traffic corridors. This will reduce the local roads share to 18%. An 'innovative technology' category will also be eliminated, freeing another 0.5% to fill the new corridor fund. In addition, 0.5% will be redirected from a highway interchange fund to increase the school crossing guard program's share to 7.5% of revenue.

  • The Transportation Authority of Marin board approved the plan on March 26, 2026.
  • The county Board of Supervisors and city councils representing 50% or more of the incorporated population must now approve the plan for it to take effect.

The players

Transportation Authority of Marin

The agency that developed and approved the Measure AA expenditure plan changes.

Teri Dowling

The representative of the Ross Town Council, who cast the lone dissenting vote on the plan due to concerns about reduced local road funding.

Dennis Rodoni

A Marin County Supervisor who has supported the Chileno Valley Newt Brigade's request for funding a wildlife crossing project, though more work is needed before it can be considered.

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What they’re saying

“The town is opposed to the transfer of any of its very modest local funds to a program that will not directly benefit the town of Ross.”

— Teri Dowling, Ross Town Council representative

“I've supported the Newt Brigade from day one, and I appreciate the work they've done. And it's really important to me, and I'm going to continue working with them to figure out ways to keep this moving.”

— Dennis Rodoni, Marin County Supervisor

What’s next

The expenditure plan is expected to be presented to the Marin County Board of Supervisors at its meeting on Tuesday. Cities and towns are scheduled to consider the plan at meetings this month and next.

The takeaway

The Transportation Authority of Marin's endorsement of this Measure AA spending plan reflects an evolution in understanding local transportation needs, with a focus on supporting key traffic corridors and maintaining critical school crossing guard services as costs rise.