board of supervisors
County Supervisors approve balanced budget of almost $549 million
Submitted by paula on Fri, 09/30/2016 - 7:26pm
Supervisors have approved a balanced budget for El Dorado County for the fiscal year 2016-17, one totaling $548.92 million.
Investments will be made in infrastructure and public safety, two focuses identified in the County's strategic plan as well as providing for funds to be set aside in reserves for emergencies and deferred maintenance for aging county buildings.
The following are examples of strategic plan investments made in the fiscal year 2016-17 budget:
$3.075 million for initial costs towards the Sheriff’s Department new Public Safety Facility
County marijuana committee creating policy in case November ballot measure passes
Submitted by paula on Thu, 08/25/2016 - 7:58pm
The Medical Marijuana Advisory Committee was created by the El Dorado County Supervisors to address taxation, cultivation, medical marijuana and other issues surrounding the use and distribution of the drug in the county.
El Dorado County selects new head of Health & Human Services
Submitted by paula on Wed, 08/17/2016 - 2:58pm
The El Dorado County Board of Supervisors has appointed Patricia Charles-Heathers as the new director of the Health and Human Services Agency.
During their meeting on August 16, 2016, they approved her appointment to take over the agency once headed by the County's current Chief Administrative Officer, Donald Ashton. They had been without a person in the top spot since his promotion in May.
Charles-Heathers has worked for the El Dorado County Health and Human Services Agency for over four years during which time she served as their assistant director.
County Supervisors vote in changes for South Lake Tahoe ambulance service
Submitted by paula on Fri, 08/05/2016 - 10:19am
South Shore ambulance service has been a hot topic both locally, and across the county with growing concern over the costs and resulting manpower shortage of providing interfacility transfers (IFTs) to facilities outside of El Dorado County.
To understand the recent actions of the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors (BOS), a look at the past year is warranted.
The City of South Lake Tahoe Wants Out of the Ambulance Business
Squaw Valley tries to get support of their major redevelopment project
Submitted by paula on Wed, 07/13/2016 - 1:50pm
A proposed redevelopment plan for Squaw Valley would include affordable employee housing, new infrastructure including roads and fire safety, as well as environmental improvements according to Squaw Valley Ski Holdings, LLC. They have kicked off and effort to communicate with the public and gain support through "Squaw Tomorrow" for what is being called the Village at Squaw Valley redevelopment project.
Placer County Planning Commission votes against Martis Valley Project
Submitted by paula on Fri, 07/08/2016 - 6:00pm
“Last night’s vote by the Placer County Planning Commission to reject the proposed development at Martis Valley West is great news for all who love Lake Tahoe," said Darcie Goodman Collins, PhD, executive director of the League to Save Lake Tahoe.
The Placer County Planning Commission has voted to recommend denial of the Martis Valley West Parcel Specific Plan and the certification of the project environmental impact report.
El Dorado County Supervisors vote to change VHR regulations at Lake Tahoe
Submitted by admin on Wed, 06/29/2016 - 8:58pm
During Tuesday's El Dorado County Board of Supervisors meeting they quietly voted to change the ordinances regulating vacation homes in the Lake Tahoe portion of the county (Meyers and all unincorporated areas on the South Shore). Missing was the heated public comments from the Vacation Home Rental owners as seen at South Lake Tahoe City Council meetings.
The changes for VHRs in the Tahoe side of the County (the Board of Supervisors at a duly noticed meeting shall have the authority to impose additional standard conditions applicable to vacation home rentals as necessary):
County's planned adoption of Capitol Improvment Program postposed
Submitted by paula on Sat, 06/18/2016 - 7:28pm
With the recent vote count on Measure E in El Dorado County still too close to call, the County's Capital Improvement Program and Traffic Impact Mitigation Fee Update have been put on hold.
The County Supervisors had been tentatively scheduled to adopt the two in August, but will now wait until questions raised by the Measure are resolved.
California voters hit the polls Tuesday; El Dorado County vote includes ballot measures
Submitted by paula on Tue, 06/07/2016 - 7:44am
The California State Primary is Tuesday, June 7, and there are a few local items on the ballot.
The following are summaries of what voters on the lake side of El Dorado County will be voting on. If people are unsure of their polling place, visit this site, input your address and birthdate: http://elections.edcgov.us/lookup.fwx
Measure A - The preamble of the County Charter will be changed if passed. The proposed wording is below, with :
Don Ashton appointed CAO for El Dorado County
Submitted by paula on Tue, 05/24/2016 - 4:00pm
Don Ashton, the El Dorado County Director of Health & Human Services, was appointed Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) during the Board of Supervisor's meeting in Placerville Tuesday.
When Sue Novasel, the South Shore representative on the Board of Supervisors was asked why Ashton was chosen, she said his 23 years of experience in the public sector is extensive, and he'll know how to take the county to the next level.
El Dorado County to address dead trees
Submitted by paula on Wed, 05/18/2016 - 4:32pm
Drought conditions and resulting bark beetle infestations have caused pervasive tree mortality across the Central and Southern Sierra Nevada Mountains. It is estimated that there are over 29 million dead trees and this number continues to grow on a daily basis. El Dorado County is not immune to this epidemic as there are thousands of dead and dying trees threatening public safety and infrastructure.
Mental Health Awareness: Reducing number of adults with mental illness in jails
Submitted by paula on Sat, 05/14/2016 - 6:41pm
A year ago, the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors signed a resolution to participate in the Stepping Up initiative. The initiative, signed by two hundred fifty counties, has one lofty goal: reduce the number of adults with mental illness in the criminal justice system.
What has changed in the last year?
El Dorado County names Poet Laureate
Submitted by paula on Wed, 04/27/2016 - 1:03pm
El Dorado Arts Council has inaugurated a Poet Laureate program for El Dorado County. This post, officially appointed by a conferring institution, is bestowed on a noted poet to honor his or her body of work and to celebrate poetry as an art form.
Taylor Graham was chosen by a panel of literary experts because of the caliber of her work, her engagement with poets and writers in the community, and the critical acclaim her work has garnered.
El Dorado County approves Safe Routes to School Plan for South Lake Tahoe
Submitted by paula on Tue, 04/26/2016 - 10:06pm
During their April 19 meeting, the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the Lake Tahoe Unified School District’s Safe Routes to School Master Plan. With this approval, the Supervisors support plans to improve pedestrian and bicycle access and safety around Lake Tahoe schools through infrastructure upgrades, education and encouragement programs, and better enforcement of traffic laws.
Elected county officials back Don Ashton for Chief Executive Officer
Submitted by paula on Tue, 04/05/2016 - 7:18pm
Seven elected officials in El Dorado County submitted a letter of recommendation to the Board of Supervisors, backing Don Ashton for the position of Chief Administrative Officer. The county has been searching for someone to take the top spot after a series of people were in the position. Larry Combs came out of retirement to be the Interim CAO on June 29, 2015.
Ashton is the current Director of Health & Human Services.
Here is the letter sent to the Chair of the Board of Supervisors in its exact original state:
Dear Supervisor Mikulaco:
End time nears for El Dorado County recall against supervisors, DA and auditor
Submitted by paula on Sat, 02/20/2016 - 1:15am
On October 27, 2015, Sue Novasel, the County Supervisor representing South Lake Tahoe, Meyers, Tahoma and Pollock Pines was served a “notice of intent to circulate a recall petition” by a group of citizens who said they are “tired of the corruption and cronyism that has plagued our county for years.” It wasn’t only Novasel, but all five of the County Supervisors, Shiva Frentzen, Ron Mikulaco, Michael Ranalli and Brian Veerkamp.
Opinion: El Dorado County Supervisor Recall
Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 02/16/2016 - 8:53amEDCTotalRecall is asked, "Why are you trying to Recall the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors?" I ask that you watch this video regarding contamination at El Dorado Trail, Placerville.
If the Supervisor Recall is to be successful we need signatures and volunteers.
There are about 4 1/2 weeks to go on the first two supervisors. The petitions are available to be downloaded and signed at EDCTotalRecall.org. If you wish to volunteer please send an e-mail to info@edctotalrecall.org.
Thank you,
El Dorado County wants input from local business owners
Submitted by paula on Tue, 02/09/2016 - 10:48pm
For the first time in seven years, those owning businesses in El Dorado County are being asked to take a survey to help enhance the economic climate for both employees and employers in the County.
The El Dorado County Annual Business Survey is available at the following link until March 19, 2016: www.surveymonkey.com/r/JSK9ZG7.
Guest Columnist: Sue Novasel - I am proud of our community
Submitted by paula on Tue, 02/02/2016 - 8:33am
El Dorado County and its Board of Supervisors have been in full stride throughout the last year solving critical issues, making important changes to protect tax dollars and providing expanded services to the public.
Land transfer between City of South Lake Tahoe and El Dorado County getting closer
Submitted by paula on Mon, 01/25/2016 - 8:30pm
There are many parcels of land in South Lake Tahoe owned by El Dorado County that the City would like to have, and talks between the two are getting closer to making the land transfer a reality.
City looking for Bicycle Advisory Committee members
Submitted by paula on Mon, 01/11/2016 - 9:19pm
The South Lake Tahoe Recreation Facilities Joint Powers Authority (JPA) is seeking applicants to fill the seven open positions on the Bicycle Advisory Committee, as required by Measure R.
Three of the open positions are for two-year terms, and the terms of the other four will expire in January, 2017 at which time four two-year terms will be open.
The Bicycle Advisory Committee expects to continue to have work until the year 2030. If a member of the committee one can expect monthly meetings during their term.
For those wishing to apply there are three way to get an application:
Opinion: Why Total Recall is Necessary
Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 12/17/2015 - 1:20pm
The Mountain Democrat Editorial Friday December 11, 2015 titled “Total recall a total waste of time” on page A5 is far below the minimum standards of an honest newspaper. The article uses accusations of gossip, vague personal attacks, and sneering degradation of “some of the people” to dismiss the serious issues plaguing our County government.
Placer County pulls out of A & A Lake Tahoe Inn deal
Submitted by paula on Sat, 12/12/2015 - 8:55pm
Placer County has made two attempts to buy lodging properties in South Lake Tahoe to give them needed tourist accommodation units (TAUs) for future redevelopment projects in the North Lake Tahoe town centers of Kings Beach and Tahoe City.
The county had offered the owners of the A & A motel $1.425 million for their property at 3520 Lake Tahoe Blvd. After demolishing the motel, the county would have restored the land beneath, earning a bonus ratio of three-to-one TAUs from the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, so the motel's 34 units would have been worth 102 to Placer County.
Measure to restrict Airbnb rentals in San Francisco losing by wide margin
Submitted by paula on Tue, 11/03/2015 - 10:45pm
San Francisco voters are poised to hand a decisive victory to Airbnb and city residents who want to turn their homes into vacation rentals. Proposition F, a measure to curb short-term rentals drastically, was losing by a margin of 61 percent to 39 percent, according to the early count of mail-in ballots.
Prop. F, the most contentious and most expensive issue on the Tuesday ballot, centers on whether vacation rentals divert scarce housing to lucrative illegal year-round hotels, as its backers claimed, or help middle-class people make ends meet, as Airbnb and other opponents said.
El Dorado County wants to hear from locals through survey
Submitted by paula on Sun, 11/01/2015 - 10:44pm
El Dorado County Supervisor Sue Novasel recently laid out the County's focus on developing a three-year strategic plan, and how she and her fellow Supervisors want the public to weigh in.
Group calls for recall of all five El Dorado County Supervisors
Submitted by paula on Tue, 10/27/2015 - 5:26pm
Efforts to recall the five El Dorado County Supervisors were initiated at the Board's regular meeting on Tuesday, October 27 in Placerville. Sue Novasel and Michael Ranalli were served with "Notices of Intention to Circulate Recall Petitions" by local State of Jefferson organizer, Kevin McAllister.
Supervisor Brian Veerkamp was not at the Board meeting and will be served with his Notice upon his return according to the website, Save Our County. They also said the the goal is to recall all five Supervisors, including Supervisors Shiva Frentzen and Ron Mikulaco.
County Supervisor Novasel to hold community meeting
Submitted by paula on Wed, 10/07/2015 - 8:11pm
Event Date:
October 15, 2015 - 6:00pm
El Dorado County Area 5 Supervisor Sue Novasel will be hosting a community meeting on October 15, at 6:00 p.m., at the City of South Lake Tahoe Council Chambers, located at 1901 Airport. Road, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150. The public is encouraged to attend.
“This is a great opportunity for the community to gather and give input on subjects and concerns important to them,” says Novasel. “Community input is key to our improvement.”
Join Supervisor Novasel to offer input to improve county services and identify priorities at Lake Tahoe.
Board of Supervisors spend day in South Lake Tahoe
Submitted by paula on Mon, 08/31/2015 - 11:26pm
The El Dorado County Board of Supervisors spent the day in South Lake Tahoe, going on a tour hosted by Sue Novasel of District 5 which includes Meyers and the South Shore.
They were treated to a tour of Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care's current home by co-founder Tom Milham. They saw the bear cubs, otter, fox, raccoons, owl, birds and duck currently calling the wildlife center home.
Before having lunch at Lakeview Commons that was prepared by the El Dorado County Jail culinary team, the tour went through some of the county buildings in the area including the library and El Dorado Center.
El Dorado County Supervisors holding annual meeting at the lake
Submitted by paula on Thu, 08/27/2015 - 9:10pm
The El Dorado County Board of Supervisors will be holding their annual meeting in South Lake Tahoe on Monday, August 31. A full day is on the agenda, but very little will actually be in a meeting format.
At 9 a.m., Sue Novasel, the Supervisor from District 5, will give the Supervisors a tour of the new Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care at the corner of Al Tahoe Blvd and Pioneer Trail. They then move to the El Dorado Center at 10 a.m. for a tour of county facilities followed by a 11 a.m. tour of the Library.
Public encouraged to participate in County broadband workshop
Submitted by paula on Tue, 08/25/2015 - 7:01pm
As part of an effort to begin a countywide strategic planning initiative to formulate a long term sustainable broadband strategy, the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors is planning a workshop to examine the state of broadband service in the County and its impacts on businesses and residents. The workshop will occur on Tuesday, September 1, 2015 at 5:00 p.m. in the County Board Chambers located at 330 Fair Lane in Placerville.
Flag to fly at half-staff in Placerville for Hallenbeck
Submitted by paula on Mon, 08/10/2015 - 10:03pm
The El Dorado County Board of Supervisors’ thoughts and prayers are with the Hallenbeck family for the loss of their son and brother, U.S. Forest Service Firefighter Michael “Mikey” Hallenbeck.
“Our hearts are saddened by the loss of Michael," said The El Dorado County Board of Supervisors. "We are indebted to Michael for his service in keeping the citizens of El Dorado County safe. Thank you for your dedication to our community.”
Supervisor Novasel creates South Lake Tahoe/El Dorado County vision committee
Submitted by paula on Mon, 07/27/2015 - 9:15pm
Supervisor Sue Novasel, Lake Tahoe’s representative on the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors, announced the formation of an ad hoc committee that will engage a visioning process related to future development and use of County-owned properties and facilities in South Lake Tahoe. The vision committee will join with two members of the City Council and staff in collaborating toward mutual facility goals.
Alpine County fire figures updated again: 16,543 acres burned
Submitted by paula on Sat, 06/20/2015 - 7:33pm
1:35 p.m. update on 6/23/15
The fire figures were updated this afternoon. At 8 a.m. they report almost 16,000 acres, then downsized a bit at noon to 13,562 after analyzing infrared reports. The 1:35 p.m. update is as follows:
The Washington Fire is actively burning. It is spreading due to both fuel-and-slope-driven forces and in some some drainages off of the East Fork Carson River. It has also spread to the north and to the east.
Fire is burning in hazardous and inaccessible terrain and approaching an increasing number of structures and impacting travel corridors.
Grand Jury finds Auditor/Controller to be a bully and uncooperative
Submitted by paula on Wed, 06/17/2015 - 9:15pm
The Grand Jury investigated several allegations surrounding voter elected El Dorado County Auditor/Controller Joe Harn, including the fact that he lost the county more than $3.5 million due to incomplete paperwork submitted to the State of California.
The Grand Jury also found that Harn is guilty of disrespectful and harassing behavior toward others. One member of the Board of Supervisors told them, "Everybody knows Joe Harn is a bully. They have known it for twenty years.”
Knorr out, Combs in as El Dorado County CAO
Submitted by paula on Wed, 06/17/2015 - 7:39am
Interim El Dorado County Chief Administrative Officer Pamela Knorr no longer holds the title of Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), the title she has held since being appointed in 2014. After a closed session of the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, she was removed from the position and Larry Combs was appointed to fill the position.
Knorr will return to her original appointment as the county’s full-time Human Resources director on June 29.
Grand Jury findings on El Dorado County Public Defender and Probation
Submitted by paula on Sun, 06/14/2015 - 9:53pm
Last year, the El Dorado County Grand Jury found that the workplace environment of the South Lake Tahoe Probation Department was "toxic." That report also said, "Officers were being micromanaged, a clique system of disparate groups had formed
wherein out of favor clique members were unfairly disciplined at times. Those things lead to poor morale and perhaps reduced productiveness at the South Lake Tahoe Probation Office."
The 2014-15 Grand Jury followed up with the department to see if things had changed.
County responds to search warrant served at Tahoe Wellness Cooperative
Submitted by paula on Tue, 06/02/2015 - 10:08pm
Search warrants were served on Monday at five locations related to Tahoe Wellness Cooperative (TWC) and its owner Cody Bass. Staff from eight agencies spent hours at the South Lake Tahoe medical marijuana dispensary, pulling out boxes and containers of cannabis and records.
Tahoe Wellness Cooperative and owner's home raided Monday
Submitted by paula on Mon, 06/01/2015 - 8:33pm
A large team made up of members from multiple agencies served a search warrant on both the Tahoe Wellness Cooperative and owner Cody Bass's South Lake Tahoe home early Monday morning.
Agents from the Franchise Tax Board (FTB), Board of Equalization, Department of Insurance, South Lake Tahoe Police Department, and El Dorado County Sheriff's Department (EDCSO) were on scene at the co-op according to Tami Grimes, Information Officer with the FTB in Sacramento.
"The contents of the search warrant are sealed," said Grimes.
Fanny Bridge project earns TRPA approval
Submitted by paula on Sat, 05/30/2015 - 10:24pm
The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency Governing Board on Wednesday unanimously approved the Tahoe Transportation District’s State Route 89/Fanny Bridge Community Revitalization Project to realign State Route 89 through Tahoe City.
The project realigns State Route 89 to route through traffic over roundabouts and a new two-lane bridge across the Truckee River to reduce transportation conflicts among drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians at the congested pinch point at the Tahoe City “Wye.”
Meyers Area Plan meeting both disappoints and educates
Submitted by paula on Wed, 05/06/2015 - 9:42pm
If the long line at the entrance to the cafeteria at Lake Tahoe Environmental Magnet School on Wednesday evening was any indication, the Meyers Area Plan (MAP) meeting was going to be another contentious event.
The meeting was one of several that has been hosted by El Dorado County concerning the future plan for the community of Meyers. As one can imagine, there is not a single plan that all who live there can agree upon.
Ideas and opinions sought at Meyers Area Plan meeting
Submitted by paula on Fri, 05/01/2015 - 9:45pm
Event Date:
May 6, 2015 - 5:30pm
An Open House for the Meyers Area Plan (MAP) will be held on Wednesday, May 6 at the Lake Tahoe Environmental Magnet School located at 1095 East Bernardino Avenue from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Master mechanics maintain City's aging fleet of vehicles
Submitted by paula on Tue, 04/21/2015 - 8:24pm
"You got to do something as doing nothing is costing you money," City of South Lake Tahoe Fleet Manager Ron Corbett told the City Council Tuesday.
The 260 vehicles and equipment maintained by Corbett's tea of master mechanics have a continually rising age. The City's police cars have an average age of 10 years, the Fire Department's vehicles are an average of 11 years old and the rest of the fleet has been around for an average of 17 years. If the fire and police departments hadn't just purchased new vehicles the ages of vehicles would have been much higher.
Miwok Indian Tribe's proposed gun range in Shingle Springs draws concern
Submitted by paula on Tue, 03/24/2015 - 9:44am
A proposed 29 lane outdoor gun range in El Dorado County has created a lot of concern from the Shingle Springs community as well as others in the county.
On February 24, the County Supervisors heard a presentation from the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians, owners of the Red Hawk Casino and operators of the proposed gun range. At that meeting there was a lot of concern voiced about safety and noise.
The tribe doesn't need approval due to their sovereign nation status, but they say they will address all concerns prior to moving forward.
Cal Tahoe JPA wants El Dorado County to pay up
Submitted by paula on Wed, 02/04/2015 - 11:38pm
South Lake Tahoe Fire Chief Jeff Meston gave a detailed explanation of the 14-year old California Tahoe Emergency Services Operations Authority (Cal Tahoe) during Tuesday's City Council meeting. At the end of it one message was clear: El Dorado County needs to pay up.
Knorr to continue as interim El Dorado County CAO for one year
Submitted by paula on Tue, 02/03/2015 - 8:39pmIn Placerville today the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors unanimously
appointed Pamela Knorr as the Chief Administrative Officer for an interim period of one year. She replaces Terri Daley who resigned after the Supervisors voted to remove her from the position in November, 2014. Daley reached an agreement with the county that paid her nine months of her annual salary of $204,692.
Barton Hospital becomes one of four Trauma III centers in state
Submitted by paula on Tue, 01/27/2015 - 8:12pm
People in the Lake Tahoe/Carson Valley region will now have access to a designated trauma center following approval today by the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors.
Barton Memorial Hospital has been designated a Level III trauma center which makes it only one of two in El Dorado County and just one of four for the state of California.
Sue Novasel sworn in as El Dorado County Supervisor
Submitted by paula on Fri, 01/09/2015 - 9:19pm
The South Lake Tahoe area of El Dorado County now has a new supervisor, officially. Sue Novasel won the election for Area 5 County Supervisor back in November and has jumped right into the job of representing her constituents which cover the area from Pollock Pines to Tahoma to South Lake Tahoe.
She was officially sworn in on Monday in Placerville, then again at their first Board of Supervisors meeting on Tuesday, then again in South Lake Tahoe on Thursday.
Applications available for Lake Tahoe Unified School Board
Submitted by paula on Wed, 12/31/2014 - 11:20pm
Lake Tahoe Unified School District is looking for a community member to fill a vacancy on the School Board of Education.
The vacancy was created after Trustee Sue Novasel resigned so she could begin a four year term on the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors after winning a seat in November's election.
The person joining the board must reside in Trustee Area #1 which is shown as a photos in this story.
El Dorado County certifies election, final counts in for all races
Submitted by paula on Wed, 11/26/2014 - 9:59pm
Twenty-one days after the election, the final results have now been certified by the El Dorado County elections department.
The closest race was for the three open seats for South Lake Tahoe City Council. The top vote getter was long time local Wendy David who had 18.05 % of the vote with 1727 residents feeling confident she'd represent them well. Coming in second was incumbent Tom Davis who received 1461 votes, or 15.52% of the vote. Austin Sass moved ahead of incumbent Angela Swanson and ended up with 1318 votes to Swanson's 1289, just .31% difference.
Voters in South Lake Tahoe to decide the direction the city and county will take
Submitted by paula on Mon, 11/03/2014 - 8:55am
You've seen the ads, you've heard the commercials and you've read the materials that all lead to your voting on Tuesday, November 4. Tuesday is Election Day!
On the South Shore we have a few different races to decide along with state issues and candidates, and it's not as simple as filling in the bubbles on your ballot.
