The latest Town of Truckee newsletter is here! This edition includes updates on the Truckee Navigation Center, solid waste franchise planning, Donner Lake traffic and bike safety improvements, Community Swim Night on March 5, tech reuse efforts, and more.
From computers and cellphones to monitors and printers, today’s Town services rely on a lot of technology. To keep everything secure and running smoothly, that equipment has to be updated and replaced from time to time. But have you ever wondered what happens with an old cellphone or laptop once it’s retired? Over the past few years, the Town has made an effort to adjust the way we think about technology, thinking about each piece of equipment as an asset with a full lifecycle. With each new technology project, the Town looks for ways to reduce waste, extend useful life, and avoid unnecessary replacement spending.
That thinking has led to real shifts in how the Town manages device purchases and replacement. Laptops went from a three-year replacement cycle to a five-year minimum before they were eligible for replacement. The IT Division has moved phones to a cloud-based system, which reduced the need for desk phones. During the townwide printer replacement, staff wrote reuse requirements directly into the Request for Proposal (RFP) and required proof that the vendor reused or responsibly recycled the replaced equipment. The Town also uses mobile device management to secure and reset staff phones when they are returned, so devices can be redeployed instead of coming back locked or unusable.
Another key element of our shift is the Town’s new equipment reuse policy and program. The purpose of this program is to make equipment reuse safe and routine. When a piece of equipment is retired from Town service, the device is securely wiped to a Department of Defense level standard, then it is rebuilt, and tested, and redeployed into the community. Refurbished devices have gone to local partners, including Pacific Housing Inc, Sierra Community House, Sierra Senior Services, the Truckee Fire Protection District, and Tech Teens, a local program where high school students get hands on experience with technology. For many of the residents served through these partners, a working laptop or device can be out of reach, and these refurbishments help close that gap. Devices that aren’t able to be re-used have also been transferred to the California Cybersecurity Integration Center to be re-used in public agency cybersecurity threat detection and response trainings.
Because of these efforts, more than 150 devices and large electronics have been kept out of the landfill—preventing about 3,600 pounds of electronic waste and resulting in an estimated 74,875 kilograms of carbon dioxide equivalent avoided, based on the emissions associated with manufacturing and purchasing new devices. By quickly redeploying refurbished devices, the program has also reduced storage needs by more than 100 square feet.
Extending replacement cycles, requiring responsible recycling, and building secure reuse into everyday processes, creates a meaningful impact that adds up quickly. If you would like assistance getting started or draft policies for your organization, reach out to chardy@townoftruckee.gov.
To our Truckee Community,
Over the past two weekends, our town has experienced events that have shaken many of us. Most recently, we shared that the suspect involved in the shooting at the Crossroads Center has been taken into custody. The individual is a 15-year-old juvenile from our community.
There is no way to say this without acknowledging how heavy it feels. When violence touches our town, and especially when it involves one of our own young people, it creates a ripple of emotions throughout the entire community. Parents, students, teachers, business owners, neighbors — we all feel it. It is unsettling. It is heartbreaking. And it is understandable if you are carrying concern, sadness, anger, or uncertainty.
In addition, yesterday’s avalanche in the Castle Peak area has further weighed on our region. While this incident is being led and managed by the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office and their partner agencies, it affects members of our broader Truckee Tahoe community. We are holding the skiers, their families, and the first responders in our thoughts as rescue efforts continue under extremely difficult conditions. We are grateful to the regional teams working tirelessly in response.
We can understand that there is a desire for more detailed information about the juvenile involved in the shooting. Because of the suspect’s age and because this investigation remains ongoing, we are legally limited in what we can share. We appreciate your understanding as our officers continue their work carefully and responsibly. Accountability matters, and so does protecting the integrity of the process.
Yesterday afternoon, the special meeting of the Chief’s Advisory Committee (CAC) took place, talking through the impact of these back-to-back incidents. We want to sincerely thank the CAC members for their time and for their open, honest, and thoughtful dialogue. Their feedback helped us better understand the questions and concerns many in our community are holding, and it is helping us with next steps.
One theme was clear: while public safety and enforcement are essential, this moment must also be about how we show up for our community, and specifically our youth.
Right now, we have a responsibility; a responsibility to come together. To look closely at the challenges young people may be facing. To ask what more we can do as families, schools, neighbors, and local government to ensure our youth feel supported, connected, and seen. Prevention, care, and early intervention are part of community safety, too.
The CAC also emphasized the importance of more clearly communicating available resources. Many residents may not be fully aware of services such as the Truckee Mobile Crisis Response and other behavioral health supports available in our region. We will be working over the coming days and weeks to better highlight these services, so individuals and families know where to turn before a crisis escalates. As a first step, our Police Department will participate in a community spotlight on Truckee Tahoe Radio to discuss available resources such as mobile crisis support, legal constraints on what information can be shared, and to outline the process once a case is turned over to the District Attorney’s Office.
We are grateful for the patience and trust you have shown as our Police Department conducted this investigation. We remain proud of our officers and their steady professionalism during an incredibly difficult time.
Most importantly, we ask for continued compassion for the families directly affected, for our students and young people who may be struggling in ways we cannot always see, and for one another. These events have left an imprint on our town, but they do not define who we are. Truckee is strongest when we lean toward one another with care, empathy, and responsibility.
We will continue to communicate as we move forward, together.
With care and commitment,
Town Manager, Town of Truckee
Police Chief, Truckee Police Department
18 de febrero: Mensaje a la comunidad de Gerente del Town y el Jefe de Policía • Truckee, CA
To our Truckee Community,
Over the last two weekends, our town has experienced two deeply troubling and unsettling incidents that have understandably shaken our shared sense of safety.
Last night, Truckee Police responded to a shooting that occurred in the Crossroads Center parking lot. While the investigation is underway, there is not a lot of information we can share at this time, but once again, we are grateful that there were no life-threatening injuries or loss of life.
This incident comes immediately on the heels of last weekend’s intentional and alarming act in which an individual drove into a group of children, parents, and the Safeway grocery store. The fact that these events have occurred back-to-back is deeply concerning, and we recognize the emotional toll they are taking on our community.
We want to speak plainly: these actions are violations of the peace and safety we all cherish in Truckee. It is normal to feel unsettled, anxious, or shaken in the wake of such incidents. Our hearts are with every victim, witness and resident who is grappling with fear, anger, sadness, and uncertainty right now.
Please know this: your Police Department and Town team are actively working to identify the individuals responsible for last night’s shooting and to hold all involved parties accountable. Our officers responded swiftly and professionally, and we are proud of their commitment to building strong cases that ensure justice.
At the same time, we understand that public safety is not only about investigations, but also about supporting our community through moments like this.
Chief Renfrow has convened a special meeting of the Chief’s Advisory Committee, a group of twelve community members who meet monthly to advise and provide feedback to our Police Chief and Police Department. The Chief’s Advisory Committee will be meeting to discuss the community impact of these events and to help guide how we can best respond, support, and move forward together.
Additionally, we are in contact with the Nevada County team to assess available behavioral health support services should they be needed. We appreciate their partnership and willingness to support our community. More information will be shared soon about opportunities for connection, conversation, and healing.
These events have left an imprint on all of us. But Truckee is resilient, and we will walk through this time together with care for one another, with resolve, and with the shared commitment to restoring the sense of safety and belonging that defines our town.
Thank you for your compassion and your trust as we navigate this together. We will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.
With care,
Town Manager, Town of Truckee
Police Chief, Truckee Police Department
Mensaje conjunto de la Gerente del Town y el Jefe de Policía • Truckee, CA
In this month’s Town Manager’s Update, I’d like to focus on the impact of Truckee’s Workforce Housing Programs. Our region continues to face a significant housing shortage, and both employers and employees are feeling the strain. Over the past five years, housing has remained a top Town Council priority, and the Town has worked intentionally to develop innovative programs that incentivize meaningful workforce housing solutions.
Many housing solutions rely on contracts or deed restrictions that preserve housing for members of our local workforce. By incentivizing these restrictions, with the interest and support of the property owner, the Town helps ensure these units remain available to those who live and work in our community. We also recognize that our workforce is regional and not defined by invisible jurisdictional boundaries between the Town, Placer County, and Nevada County. That is why the Town’s housing programs—and similar programs offered by Placer County—define workforce eligibility based on employment within local school district boundaries. This approach allows, for example, a teacher who lives in Truckee but works at Kings Beach Elementary to qualify for our programs.
We believe a regional workforce that can live in Truckee strengthens our community character and supports our economic and social foundation. Housing affordability is not just a market issue—it is a community issue, closely tied to who we are, how we function, and our ability to remain a vibrant, year-round town.
It is also exciting to note that several of these housing programs originated right here in Truckee—developed locally in response to real community needs—and are now being replicated in communities across the country. While we recognize there is still much work ahead to secure enough housing restricted specifically for members of our local workforce (defined as employees working for employers within local school district boundaries), we are proud to share updated data on the performance and impact of our workforce housing programs. By regularly evaluating how these programs are working, who they are serving, and their effectiveness, we are better positioned to support our residents, local businesses, and regional partners.
Through a combination of targeted housing initiatives, the Town has now housed more than 860 locals. These programs are designed to address different segments of the housing continuum—rental preservation, conversion of existing homes to long-term rentals, and deed-restricted homeownership—while keeping housing attainable for those who live and work in our community.
The Lease to Locals Program focuses on converting short-term rentals into workforce housing rental units. To date, this program has successfully converted 252 rooms into workforce housing rentals and has housed 626 locals, members of our workforce and their families, making it the Town’s largest workforce housing initiative as well as the first initiative to launch.
The Rooted Renters Program is the newest housing program and is centered on the preservation of existing long-term workforce rental housing. This program secures rental housing for workforce members and has already preserved 65 homes and housed 163 locals, helping renters remain rooted in the Truckee community.
The Truckee Home Access Program supports long-term housing stability through deed-restricted workforce homeownership opportunities. This program has preserved 31 homes for ownership and housed 77 local workforce members and their families, ensuring these homes remain preserved and affordable for future generations of local workers.
Our Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) programs are also starting to take root, having supported 6 ADU projects with loans. Two of those projects have been completed, housing 4 locals.
Looking at where participants work, 42% of those housed are employed within the Town of Truckee, 32% work within Placer County, and 9% work in unincorporated Nevada County. An additional 17% are regional employees who work for organizations with multiple sites throughout the greater Truckee region.
When reviewed by business sector, the data highlights the essential role these programs play in supporting our local economy. Recreation industry employees account for 24% of those housed, followed by food and beverage services (13%), retail (9%), construction (9%), and education (8%). Other key sectors—including public administration, health care, accommodation, and property management—each represent approximately 5% of the workforce served.
We are excited to see these programs fully operational and delivering measurable results for our workforce, neighbors, and business community. If you would like to learn more about these programs, check out the housing webpage on the Town’s website. Going forward, this data will directly inform upcoming budget discussions, guide policy recommendations, and help shape the next generation of housing programs as Truckee continues to invest in a strong, resilient, and inclusive community.
Thank you for being part of our Truckee community and for your continued partnership as we work together to support our local workforce, businesses, and neighbors,
Jen Callaway, Town Manager
Back to the Talk From The Town Newsletter
En la Actualización de la Gerente del Town de este mes, me gustaría enfocarme en el impacto de los Programas de Vivienda para la Fuerza Laboral de Truckee. Nuestra región continúa enfrentando una importante escasez de vivienda, y tanto los empleadores como los empleados están sintiendo la presión. Durante los últimos cinco años, el acceso a las viviendas ha sido una de las principales prioridades del Concejo Municipal, y el Town ha trabajado de manera intencional para desarrollar programas innovadores que incentiven soluciones significativas de vivienda para la fuerza laboral.
Muchas de estas soluciones se basan en contratos o restricciones registradas en las escrituras que preservan la vivienda para los miembros de nuestra fuerza laboral local. Al incentivar estas restricciones, con el apoyo del propietario, el Town ayuda a garantizar que estas unidades sigan estando disponibles para quienes viven y trabajan en nuestra comunidad. También reconocemos que nuestra fuerza laboral es regional y no está definida por límites jurisdiccionales invisibles entre el Town, el Condado de Placer y el Condado de Nevada. Por ello, los programas de vivienda del Town—y programas similares ofrecidos por el Condado de Placer— definen la elegibilidad de la fuerza laboral en cuanto a su empleo dentro de los límites del distrito escolar local. Este enfoque permite, por ejemplo, que un maestro que vive en Truckee pero trabaja en la Escuela Primaria Kings Beach califique para nuestros programas.
Creemos que tener una fuerza laboral regional que pueda vivir en Truckee fortalece el carácter de nuestra comunidad y respalda nuestra base económica y social. Los precios de las viviendas no son solo un tema del mercado: son un tema comunitario, estrechamente ligado a quiénes somos, cómo funcionamos y a nuestra capacidad de seguir siendo una ciudad dinámica durante todo el año.
También es emocionante destacar que varios de estos programas de vivienda se originaron aquí mismo en Truckee—desarrollados localmente en respuesta a necesidades reales de la comunidad—y que ahora están siendo replicados en comunidades a lo largo de todo el país. Si bien reconocemos que aún queda mucho trabajo por delante para asegurar suficientes viviendas con restricciones específicas para los miembros de nuestra fuerza laboral local (definida como empleados que trabajan para empleadores dentro de los límites del distrito escolar local), nos enorgullece compartir datos actualizados sobre el desempeño y el impacto de nuestros programas de vivienda para la fuerza laboral. Al evaluar de manera periódica cómo están funcionando estos programas, a quiénes están sirviendo y su efectividad, estamos mejor posicionados para apoyar a nuestros residentes, a los negocios locales y a nuestros socios regionales.
Mediante una combinación de iniciativas de vivienda dirigidas a grupos específicos, el Town ha logrado alojar a más de 860 residentes locales. Estos programas están diseñados para abordar distintas partes del asunto de la vivienda—la preservación de viviendas de alquiler, la conversión de viviendas existentes en alquileres a largo plazo y la compra de viviendas con restricciones en la escritura—manteniendo la vivienda accesible para quienes viven y trabajan en nuestra comunidad.
El programa Rentando a los Locales se enfoca en convertir alquileres de corto plazo en unidades de vivienda de alquiler para la fuerza laboral. Hasta la fecha, este programa ha convertido con éxito 252 habitaciones en viviendas de alquiler a largo plazo para la fuerza laboral y ha alojado a 626 residentes locales, miembros de nuestra fuerza laboral y sus familias, lo que lo convierte en la iniciativa de vivienda para la fuerza laboral más grande del Town, así como también en la primera en ponerse en marcha.
El programa Rentando con Raíces es el programa de vivienda más reciente y se centra en la preservación de viviendas de alquiler a largo plazo existentes para la fuerza laboral. Este programa asegura viviendas de alquiler para los miembros de la fuerza laboral y ya ha preservado 65 hogares y alojado a 163 residentes locales, ayudando a que los inquilinos permanezcan arraigados en la comunidad de Truckee.
El Programa de Acceso a una Vivienda de Truckee apoya la estabilidad de las viviendas a largo plazo mediante oportunidades de compra de viviendas para la fuerza laboral con restricciones en la escritura. Este programa ha preservado 31 viviendas para la compra y ha alojado a 77 miembros de la fuerza laboral local y a sus familias, garantizando que estas viviendas se mantengan preservadas y accesibles para las futuras generaciones de trabajadores locales.
Nuestros programas de Unidades de Vivienda Accesorias (ADU), también están comenzando a echar raíces, habiendo apoyado 6 proyectos de ADU mediante préstamos. Dos de esos proyectos ya se han completado y han alojado a 4 residentes locales.
Al analizar dónde trabajan los participantes, el 42% de las personas alojadas están empleadas dentro del Town of Truckee, el 32% trabaja en el Condado de Placer y el 9% en áreas no incorporadas del Condado de Nevada. Un 17% adicional corresponde a empleados regionales que trabajan para organizaciones con múltiples sedes en toda la región de Truckee y sus alrededores.
Al revisar los datos del sector comercial, se destaca el papel esencial que estos programas desempeñan en el apoyo a nuestra economía local. Los empleados de la industria recreativa representan el 24% de las personas alojadas, seguidos por los servicios de alimentos y bebidas (13%), el comercio minorista (9%), la construcción (9%) y la educación (8%). Otros sectores clave—incluidos la administración pública, la atención médica, el alojamiento y la administración de propiedades—representan cada uno aproximadamente el 5% de la participación de la fuerza laboral.
Nos entusiasma ver que estos programas estén en operación y que estén generando resultados medibles para nuestra fuerza laboral, nuestros vecinos y la comunidad comercial. Si desea obtener más información sobre estos programas, visite el sitio web del Town en Vivienda | Truckee, CA. De ahora en adelante, estos datos informarán directamente las próximas discusiones de presupuesto, orientarán las recomendaciones de política pública y ayudarán a dar forma a la próxima generación de programas de vivienda, a medida que Truckee continúa invirtiendo en una comunidad sólida, resiliente e inclusiva.
Gracias por ser parte de la comunidad de Truckee y por su continua colaboración mientras trabajamos juntos para apoyar a nuestra fuerza laboral local, a los comercios y a nuestros vecinos,
Jen Callaway, Gerente del Town
As I begin my year as Mayor of Truckee, I do so with deep gratitude and reflection. This year is especially meaningful—it marks both the start of my term as Mayor and my final year on Town Council after seven years of service. It feels like a fitting way to close this chapter of public service.
Over the past seven years, we have taken on big challenges, made difficult decisions, and laid critical groundwork to ensure Truckee remains a resilient, welcoming, and thriving town for generations to come. I am incredibly proud of what we have accomplished together.
I am especially proud of our commitment to sustainability and climate action. The Council designated annual funding for environmental initiatives, turning values into action. We helped establish the Climate Transformation Alliance to advance regional carbon neutrality and adopted single-use foodware and plastic water bottle ordinances. We developed a Building Decarbonization Roadmap that positions Truckee as a leader in environmental protection. We are transitioning the Town fleet to electric vehicles where practical, expanding fare-free and reduced-fare transportation options like TART Connect and vanpool programs, and supporting year-round bicycle and pedestrian mobility through BCycle and trail plowing.
Truckee was designated a “Clean California Community” this year - one of the first 30 cities statewide. This achievement highlights Truckee’s leadership in reducing litter, enhancing public spaces, and fostering community pride.
We have also invested in people—strengthening staff capacity to address housing, sustainability, engagement, communications, and inclusion, while rightsizing our organization to better meet community needs, including adding critical public safety positions. Public safety and preparedness have remained a top priority with the creation of the Emergency Management Division and expanded wildfire mitigation efforts.
The adoption of the Truckee 2040 General Plan was one of the most consequential efforts of my time on Council. This robust public process incorporated the Town’s first Climate Action Element, people-focused mobility policies, strengthened community character, and included a robust Safety Element addressing wildfire risk.
Housing remains one of our most urgent priorities. The Town has secured 800 deed-restricted units and created, preserved, or converted housing for over 860 locals. Innovative programs like Lease to Locals are now being replicated across the country. There is more to do so we also advanced funding mechanisms to support more housing programs, transportation, and emergency services.
I am equally proud of our thriving small business community, the opening of DEWBEYÚMUWEɁ Park, and the investments we’ve made in trails and roads, including the renewal of critical tax measures that support this work.
We could not do all of this without the volunteers advancing special projects like the River Revitalization Steering Committee, the Chief’s Advisory Committee, the Planning Commission, Public Art Commission of Truckee, and many more. The Tahoe Truckee Homeless Action Coalition has made meaningful progress addressing homelessness, leading with compassion and collaboration as we move toward opening a pilot navigation center.
Looking ahead, key milestones include Housing Element decisions, improvements to the Homegrown Housing Program, groundbreaking for Edmunds Lofts, completion of a town-wide evacuation study, a new heat pump incentive program, public art installations, and rollout of CloudPermit to improve transparency and efficiency. We also look forward to building our bilingual communications, supporting the Truckee Library, the restoration of Donner Lake, and the continued care of our trails through the renewal of the existing sales tax.
None of this happens without the tireless work of Town staff, my fellow councilmembers, committee members, and the passion of this community. Truckee is strongest when we work together.
My hope for Truckee is record snow, ambitious agendas, and thoughtful, spirited conversations that move us forward.
Mayor of the Town of Truckee
Building in Truckee? Wet season requirements are in effect October 15 to May 1. Protect water quality and meet Town of Truckee requirements by including a site-specific erosion prevention plan with approved BMPs and Low Impact Development practices.
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