Marin County's 2023-24 Civil Grand Jury released its report, “What Did They Do?” Update on response to the 2022-2023 Marin County Civil Grand Jury Report. Among several reviews resulting from the jury's findings last year was a report titled “The Coming Wave of Older Adults — Is Marin Ready?” It can affect the elderly, the largest subgroup of mariners.
The 2022-23 report points out the following phenomena: “By 2030, more than 25% of the state's population will be over 60 years old. The average life expectancy for Marin residents is 85.2 years, compared to a statewide average of 81 years.” Out of Marin's population of 275,000 , about 33% are over 60 years old.
The grand jury's basic conclusion is that Marin is not adequately prepared to handle the coming wave of senior citizens. Marin has silos of fragmented aging services that are not well integrated across county departments, creating confusion for older residents and families. …The welfare of the elderly is not reflected as a priority for the county government. ”
The first recommendation of the 2023-24 Grand Jury, sponsored by the Oceanic Aging Commission, was that “by December 31, 2023, the Board of Oversight elevates the Department of Adult and Aging Services to a department-level division within the Department of Health.” “We should let them do it.” Human Resources Department. As a member of the HHS management team, the principal executive within the AAS should be on an equal footing with other directors within HHS. ”
That sounds bureaucratic, and it is. When it comes to setting priorities, budgeting, and staffing, never forget that the hierarchy of issues within the bureaucracy is critical, whether in the public sector or in corporate America.
It doesn't necessarily cost money to address this recommendation. This requires reorganization and the avoidance of middle management. A reorganization of the chain of command will allow staff and recommendations from Marin's Commission on Aging to bypass bureaucratic turf wars and go directly to new County Executive Derek Johnson and elected supervisors. is necessary.
The Marin County Civil Grand Jury has stressed that efforts to help seniors are scattered across county government and lack coordination. Many older residents do not know where to apply for assistance that has already been approved.
It's inefficient, expensive, and a failure for seniors who need quick assistance. So far, supervisors in the five counties haven't found a way around the “we've always done it this way” mentality.
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Low-income, disabled, and homeowner Marin residents age 65 and older should be aware that they are running out of time to apply for property tax exemptions and discounts.
Seniors, people with disabilities and low-income residents who live within the Tamalpais Union High School, Miller Creek or Lagunitas school districts have until Wednesday to apply for a property tax exemption.
If an individual property owner recently moved their residence from one location to another within the same town or school district, like I did, they would need to reapply for senior property or low-income tax credits. You will be surprised to know. Otherwise you will lose your discount.
Most other Marin municipalities that allow parcel tax exemptions require homeowners to register by June 1 to qualify. Contact information for each can be found on his website at the Marin County Treasurer's Office at bit.ly/44f7C7C.
Applicants need the evaluator's package number to access information related to their address. It is listed on your property tax bill. Useful information explaining this process can be found on the Marin Coalition of Sensible Taxpayers' website (costmarin.org).
COST, which was the first to successfully advocate for county governments to publicize exemptions for seniors and low incomes, said: Dear class families. ”
Mill Valley columnist Dick Spotswood writes about local issues on Sundays and Wednesdays. Email spotswood@comcast.net.
