Supervisors Consider North Lake Tahoe Resort Association Budget, Airport Shuttle

The Association was formed in 1995 and is funded through a combination of county and percent voter-approved transient occupancy tax revenues from the TahoeBasin. The Association helps promote tourism in the area and recommends infrastructure projects to improve North Lake Tahoecommunities.

"The Association does a great job in promoting the Tahoe area to visitors from all over the world," said Placer County Supervisor Bruce Kranz, whose district includes the PlacerCountyportion of Lake Tahoe. "This Association helps North Tahoeto better compete as a tourist destination with other mountain resort areas in the West."

The 2006-2007 budget was amended after negotiations to modify past budgets. It now reflects a comprehensive approach to continue tourism promotion and infrastructure improvements while encouraging community participation and cooperative marketing efforts. The recommended funding will go towards administrative costs, direct marketing, program research, visitor information and infrastructure projects.

The budget before the Supervisors for approval is $3,762,864. That amount includes:

• $1,722,669 for marketing;
• $1,524,195 for capitol improvements; and
• $516,000 for visitor support services.

The Supervisors will also consider funding for a shuttle service between the Reno-TahoeInternationalAirportand North Lake Tahoe. The Association's Tourism and Community Investment Master Plan has identified this service as a high priority. The absence of such a shuttle is a competitive disadvantage for North Tahoewhen compared with other mountain resort communities.

"The shuttle is unique because it crosses several jurisdictional lines," said Steve Teshara, the Association's Executive Director. "It's something visitors want to know: How do you get to Lake Tahoefrom the airport? There are a number of things we've been working on. This is one of them and we are pleased to be a partner in this effort."

If approved, the shuttle will begin operating in October in advance of the busy holiday season. The service would be operated through a contract with the Tahoe Transportation District, which is the regional transportation provider for the TahoeBasin. If this agenda item is approved by the Supervisors, the service would still be contingent on receipt of proposals from the shuttle operator. The shuttle will not only fill a transportation need, but will reduce the number of automobiles, and their accompanying pollution, coming into the Tahoe Basin. 

PlacerCountyBoard of Supervisors

Meeting Location:

Resort at Squaw Creek, Grand Sierra C

400 Squaw Creek Road

Olympic Valley, CA  96146