If you’ve ever wondered where decisions are made that determine what gets built in your neighborhood, what transportation systems are prioritized, or what kind of investments are made in your community, here’s a surprising fact:
Most major decisions that affect North Lake Tahoe are made in Auburn, CA—more than 80 miles away from the people who live here.
Placer County Is Governed by a 5-Member Board of Supervisors
Each supervisor represents a district. North Lake Tahoe—along with Olympic Valley, Alpine Meadows, Martis Valley, and parts of Truckee—are part of District 5, which extends all the way from Tahoma down to the foothills, including Auburn. That means only one of the five supervisors is elected by and represents our local communities.
The other four supervisors represent districts centered in rapidly urbanizing places like Roseville, Rocklin, and Lincoln. And they get an equal vote on local issues that directly impact North Lake Tahoe residents.
Very few District 5 supervisors have been residents of North Lake Tahoe. And with rapid population growth in the western portion of District 5, it is increasingly unlikely we will have local representation once our current Tahoe City-based supervisor’s chooses to retire.
Why Does This Matter?
This structure means decisions about:
- Land use and development
- Transportation funding
- Workforce housing
- Public safety priorities
- Seasonal infrastructure needs
- Tourism management
…are often made by people who don’t live here, don’t work here, and may not fully understand the unique needs of our mountain communities.
It’s Not About Blame—it’s About Representation
The current system isn’t broken—it’s just designed for the county as a whole. And in a county as large and diverse as Placer, one-size-fits-all decision-making can miss the mark for rural, tourism-based communities like ours.
So What’s the Alternative?
Some communities in similar situations have followed the path of incorporation—forming a local town government to gain more local control over day-to-day decisions, funding priorities, and planning.
Eastern Placer Future is exploring whether this could be a good fit for us.
Want to Learn More?
We’re sharing facts, hosting conversations, and listening to community input as we explore what self-governance could look like.
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