El Dorado County's lack of staff will affect snow removal operations at Lake Tahoe

EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. - The standing-room-only crowd at Meyers Elementary Thursday evening came for one thing, to find out why there are not enough snowplow operators for adequate snow removal this season in the unincorporated areas of El Dorado County at Lake Tahoe.

They found out it is all about the money - the pay. El Dorado County snowplow operators make the least out of all Lake Tahoe area jurisdictions. County Department of Transportation (DOT) snow operations staff start at $36.91 per hour, plus a $6,000 signing bonus that is spread out over the season. That about is $2-$5 less per hour than Caltrans, Placer County, the City of South Lake Tahoe, and Washoe County.

For once it isn't the lack of working equipment that is hampering snow operations at Lake Tahoe. Measure S, approved by the voters in 2022 to use four percent of transient occupancy taxes (TOT) for roads, road maintenance, and snow removal. While DOT was able to buy new equipment with these funds, they can't use it for the current problem - salaries.

When Supervisor Brooke Laine found out in February that there weren't enough staff to adequately clear the roads, she told DOT that something had to be done. She'd been told over the summer there'd be enough people to handle 24-hour snow operations in the Tahoe Basin, but she found out in October that not enough people had been hired and the night shift of plowing would be cut.

Laine asked DOT staff to come to Meyers to explain to the public why snow operations weren't going to be as robust as residents deserve.

The new plan isn't anything different than what was provided during the winter of 2023/24. Many weren't aware of the "whys," they just knew there were slow responses at times.

From 1990-2010, El Dorado County had the highest compensation for snow operation crews according to DOT Director Rafael Martinez. They carried a full-time staff of 34 with extra help during the winter.

Last year and this year - there is a full-time staff of 14-16, including mechanics. DOT uses 14 for the night shift and another 14 for the morning shift and there are not enough people to operate fully.

"We can have the newest and best equipment, but without staff, it doesn't matter," said Martinez.

So why can't Martinez simply offer more salary? He says he has enough in his budget to pay more.

It all boils down to the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors and labor negotiations between the bargaining units and the Chief Administrative Officer's human resources staff.

Laine is just one, and she needs the other supervisors to work with her in approving higher wages.

Martinez said his department becomes the training ground for all other agencies, and the county never has a chance to get the expertise and longevity those others do.

A long line of residents asked dozens of questions of Martinez and his staff, as well as suggestions. He wrote them down and will work on addressing them.

Many were concerned about getting to work, to school, and roads not being clear enough for emergency responders, as well as offered solutions like hiring outside contractors, adjusting hours, and the main issue - offering more pay.

"People who don't live here don't understand the snow," explained resident Christina Grubbs. "Kids have to get to school, parents have to get to work. Employees not showing up create crises."

Many wanted to know how to get the supervisors from the West Slope to listen and understand the dire need for higher wages. People can write letters to the others:

George Turnboo - bostwo@edcgov.us
Wendy Thomas - bosthree@edcgov.us
Lori Parlin - bosfour@edcgov.us
Brooke Laine - bosfive@edcgov.us

The fifth supervisor, John Hidahl, passed away last week and the person elected to his seat doesn't start until January. The supervisors held their meeting in South Lake Tahoe two weeks ago, but the public wasn't aware of the snow operations plan at the time and no public comment was made.

"I'm happy about how it went," said Laine. "Some changes must be made."

She said the evening went as expected and the rest of the county needs to understand that both east and west slopes are in this together. It'd be like telling the Placerville residents that, sorry, we don't have enough money so there'll be no more night shift for the police department, Laine said.

South Lake Tahoe Public Works Director Anush Nejad was at the meeting to observe and listen to the concerns. He said he'll work with Laine on some ideas he has. The City just filled ten openings and had a pool of 45 candidates for those positions.

"We will work together," said Nejad. "We are partners. These people deserve it."

The City has two night shift crews, and one day shift so by morning the roads are plowed so people can get to work and school, said Negad.

The County has four transportation candidates in the pipeline and they are waiting for background checks to be completed. While that is a good number, two just gave their notice this week.

Laine said she'd like to go after the geographical bonus, giving a large amount at signing and the rest at the end-of-season.

"This is serious, you're dealing with people's lives," said a current cancer patient who got up to speak. He depends on clear roads to get to treatment and the hospital.

One community speaker said TOT goes away if people cannot get to Meyers, Tahoma, and the rest of the area. The economic impact is great with bad roads, they said, including business revenues, work hours, and even school income can be affected when students cannot get to school.

"We need Placerville to care," said another speaker.

For contacting DOT, their website is https://www.eldoradocounty.ca.gov/Land-Use/Transportation, Facebook is https://www.facebook.com/eldoradocountyroads/, email is road.maintenance@edcgov.us, and phone number is 530.642.4909.