As we begin a new year and my second term as your District 5 Supervisor, I am hopeful for the future of Eastern Placer County. As your supervisor, I am committed to advancing the priorities that matter most to you: ensuring forest health and wildfire resilience, supporting workforce housing, improving transportation services and infrastructure, and creating a resilient economy.
Forest Health and Wildfire Resilience
Watching the recent devastation from catastrophic wildfires in Los Angeles reaffirms our commitment to invest in forest management. Living near these beautiful forests means working together to reduce fuels around our homes, harden structures, and support projects by state and federal agencies to treat nearby public lands.
Last year, Placer County led with investments in comprehensive mapping, hazardous vegetation removal, fire preparedness education, and initiation of a biomass project to use forest products and reduce costs. We also take pride in being a national leader in Firewise communities, with over 100 neighborhoods actively working to reduce wildfire risks. This grassroots effort empowers residents to create safer, more resilient areas while strengthening our collective fire preparedness. In 2025, we will build on this progress by securing additional state and federal support to expand these critical programs.
Housing
Affordable housing remains one of our greatest challenges. High costs have priced out many workers, impacting families, employers, and the overall sustainability of our community.
To address this, Placer County partnered with Placemate to launch the Lease to Locals program, which incentivizes homeowners to rent to local workers. To date, it has housed 234 people in our community. The workforce housing preservation program has helped 13 local families purchase homes, and the new Launchpad program will assist small housing projects. Additionally, the long-awaited Dollar Creek housing project will move forward this year, offering further relief. We continue to collaborate regionally with the Truckee Tahoe Workforce Housing Agency to develop creative solutions. I remain committed to finding real solutions to help those who love this area, live, and work here.
Transportation Improvements
For decades, peak traffic congestion has impacted safety, emergency response times, and our quality of life. While solutions aren’t easy, significant progress is being made.
We’re investing in micro-mass transit, trails, technology, and parking management to improve transportation. I’ve strongly advocated for adding transit-priority lanes on Highways 89 and 267. With the Phase 1 study complete, we are preparing to secure funding for the design phase. These projects aim to encourage transit use and ensure additional capacity during emergencies. These efforts require collaboration with local, state, and federal partners, and I am committed to seeing them through.
Economic Sustainability
A thriving economy is the backbone of any strong community. In Eastern Placer County, local businesses rely on recreation tourism, which presents both opportunities and challenges.
Our partners at the North Tahoe Community Alliance are working closely with the county’s economic development team to educate and advance environmental stewardship with our businesses and visitors. By promoting sustainable practices and mitigating visitation impacts, we can support our businesses while protecting the character of our community. Together, we will ensure Eastern Placer County remains a place where people can live, work, and raise their families.
A Call to Action
These priorities are achievable with your support and collaboration. Please join me in shaping the future of our region. Whether it’s attending a public meeting, participating in a community project, or simply sharing your ideas, your voice matters. Together, we can build a stronger, more resilient Placer County that honors our past while preparing for the future.
I am deeply honored to serve as your District 5 Supervisor and look forward to working with you in the year ahead. You can contact me at cindygustafson@placer.ca.gov.
~ A 42-year Tahoe City resident, Placer County District 5 Supervisor Cindy Gustafson has dedicated her career to public service and ensuring Tahoe’s well-being. From leading the Tahoe City Public Utility District to chairing the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, she champions wildfire resilience, improved transportation, and economic vitality across the region.
