Athena Burciaga Announces Her Run for Marina City Council in District 4

“Government should work better, not cost more.”

Happy fourth! As a July 4th baby, I understand the importance of preserving the qualities that make our country great, while also understanding what direction our community needs to go in next. Which is why I am proud to announce my candidacy for City Council in Marina’s 4th district!

For too long, city budgets have been balanced off the backs of our working class families. Families across Marina are feeling the pressure of rising costs–from housing, groceries, and gas to healthcare, childcare, utilities, and everyday expenses. Residents deserve a city government that is focused on affordability, accountability and results. We cannot control every economic challenge, but we can ensure that local government operates efficiently, spends taxpayer dollars wisely and delivers the services our community depends on. 

This is not about raising taxes. It is about making government work better for the people it serves.

As your councilmember I will:

Identify opportunities to reduce unnecessary spending & eliminate waste.

Improve government efficiency and transparency.

Protect essential public services and public safety.

Reinvest savings into programs and infrastructure that strengthen our community.

Support policies that help keep Marina affordable for working families, seniors and small businesses.

As your councilmember, I will be accessible, responsive and committed to representing our community’s priorities. I would be honored to earn your vote in November and have the opportunity to work everyday to build a stronger, more affordable Marina for all.

Your next councilmember for Marina’s 4th district should OPPOSE a Utility Users Tax in these difficult economic times as it directly impacts households when they are most vulnerable. Let us not pretend that the city of Marina is trying to use the promise of new public safety facilities as a cover for them wanting a blank check built off of the backs of our working class families, seniors, veterans, students, and small businesses.

Marina needs new public safety facilities for our firefighters and police officers, yes. What we don’t need is for that funding to be intertwined with funding for new city hall chambers or whatever else the council decides to do with YOUR tax money. As the cost of living continues to go up exorbitantly, the UUT will continue to rise as well. It is a percentage-based tax, and as the utility companies raise their rates, the amount of tax the city collects goes up as well. This tax forces government revenue to grow on the backs of struggling families.

This tax will also disincentivize working from home and stifle small business. Free lancers, remote workers and home-based small businesses consume more power and internet at home than traditional commuters. A UUT acts as an unintended tax on local economic productivity and remote workers, raising the overhead costs for home-based entrepreneurs precisely when the city should be encouraging local economic resilience.

We need to ask that our city government takes accountability over new taxation. Instead of digging deeper into its constituents pockets, Marina should look to audit their own operations, eliminate waste and optimize existing general fund revenues before implementing a new or expanded tax. During a financial squeeze, families have to trim their household budgets to make ends meet. Marina should be held to the same standard–prioritizing efficiency and internal cost-cutting over increasing the tax burden on residents.

We should not balance the city budget by inflating the utility bills of working families. Government should work better, not cost more.

Vote Athena for Marina City Council District 4 on Tuesday, November 3rd 2026!