The Marin County government meeting held on January 29, 2025, featured a significant public comment from Ross Asselstine, a resident of San Anselmo, who expressed deep concerns regarding the county's flood management efforts. Asselstine highlighted a decade-long struggle for transparency and accountability from local officials, emphasizing that over 3,000 citizens had previously voted to exit the flood zone due to dissatisfaction with the current flood management strategies.

Asselstine criticized the county's approach, stating that the flood basins designed to mitigate flooding were ineffective and costly. He pointed out that the county had spent approximately $40 million on flood management projects, with only a small portion yielding marginal benefits. He specifically mentioned that a minimal section of a flood basin was constructed at a cost of $10 million, which he deemed inadequate in addressing the flooding issues faced by the community.

The resident urged the county to provide honest answers to the public's inquiries and to reconsider its flood management strategies. Asselstine's comments reflect a broader frustration among community members regarding the effectiveness of local government initiatives and the need for improved communication and accountability.

The meeting continued with discussions on various agenda items, but Asselstine's remarks underscored a critical issue facing Marin County residents—flood management and the need for effective solutions that prioritize community safety and fiscal responsibility. The county officials are expected to address these concerns in future meetings and consider the input from constituents like Asselstine.