A little while ago, I chatted with one of my neighbors about efforts to incorporate North Lake Tahoe. The conversation went something like this:
“Oh … I don’t know. It sounds complicated. And, what if it doesn’t work?” she said.
“You sound like you feel skeptical that you know enough to be sure, is that right?” I asked.
“Yes. We might not succeed as a town,” she said. “Maybe it’s better to just leave things as they are.”
“Let me ask you this,” I said. “If you had all of the information you wanted, would you like to have the opportunity to vote on the possibility? Would you like to have that choice?”
Her face brightened and she stood up taller. “Oh, yes! I want to be able to do that!”
That’s exactly what Eastern Placer Future, a nonprofit formed two years ago by local citizens to explore the potential to create the new town of North Tahoe, is working to achieve: the chance for all of us to vote on our future, based on facts,
not fears.
I joined this effort because I want my children — and the children of all the families who love and live in Eastern Placer County — to have a real opportunity to live, work, and raise their families here. Our region is facing challenges that won’t be solved without dedicated and informed effort. Whether it’s housing, transit, wildfire resilience, or the health of our lake and forests, I believe local voices can find the nimble, creative, and community-informed solutions we need.
We are making meaningful progress. Since our first public presentation in February, Eastern Placer Future has completed a community-wide voter survey, hearing from residents in every neighborhood about their hopes, concerns, and values. We’ve met our first fundraising goal of $150,000 thanks to donations from 145 individuals and organizations, built an email list of more than 500 engaged supporters, and connected with 35 volunteers who are preparing for the next big step: the petition drive. Soon we’ll begin collecting signatures from local voters in order to submit our official application to the Placer County Local Area Formation Commission (LAFCO); we are currently over half way to meet our petition drive fundraising goal of $150,000.
As a locally elected official, I’ve seen how much more effective we are when decisions are made close to home. When our work affects our own daily quality of life, we are more empowered, more accountable, and more likely to find common ground. Local governance doesn’t just give us control — it gives us the opportunity to listen to one another, collaborate across differences, and protect what we love about this place.
Some people have pointed out that North Tahoe doesn’t have one single downtown core, like other towns do. That’s true, and it’s part of what makes us special. We are a collection of mountain neighborhoods, each with its own character and needs. Incorporation gives us the opportunity to ensure that every area — from Kings Beach to Homewood, from Alpine Meadows to Northstar — receives attention and support that’s tailored and equitable. A town can reflect our diversity while serving us with unity.
This is not a political campaign. It’s a civic invitation.
The initial feasibility study shows that a new town here could operate with a 27% general fund surplus, thanks in part to our strong per-capita revenues. The upcoming comprehensive fiscal analysis, environmental review, and LAFCO process will help fill in more details. But those steps cost money. That’s why we’re continuing to raise funds and expand our volunteer team to ensure that everyone has access to clear, trustworthy information and that our region’s voice is heard.
You may still have questions. So do I. That’s what this process is for. But
one thing I’m sure of is this: We deserve the right to choose.
To learn more about Eastern Placer Future or to donate to its GoFundMe, visit easternplacerfuture.org. Its next public meetings are Aug. 12 at Truckee Town Council, Aug. 19 at Good Morning Truckee at the Tahoe Truckee Airport, and at the Crest Café with the North Tahoe Chamber on Aug. 26.
~ North Tahoe Public Utility District Board Member Sarah Coolidge is a leadership advocate and member of Eastern Placer Future. She teaches practical tools to help leaders speak with confidence and compassion and believes local voices and collaborative decision-making are essential to creating a resilient community.
