City Manager Nancy Kerry recently presented the City Council with a report on South Lake Tahoe roads.
“We need $2 million every year just to maintain the condition they are in today, which is rated ‘F’ -- failing,” says Kerry.
Then, she looks at the budget for how to pay for new roads.
“Interesting, $2 million is what we spend on retiree health,” says Kerry.
Kerry says health and pension benefits have trumped infrastructure spending for decades. The projected unfunded liability is $70 million.
“So the public can see this direct correlation, we have provided benefits in a way thats unsustainable because of the healthcare system, its not the retirees fault, the system is out of control,” says Kerry.
Kerry is negotiating with six unions to eliminate the health benefit. If she succeeds, that will still leave a $50 million pension liability.
But Kerry says the state doesn’t allow her to renegotiate pensions, the legislature would have to approve that.
February 6, 2018Squaw Valley Ski Resort, Liberty Utilities and Tesla are hoping to use renewable batteries as a backup power source for the resort and surrounding homes.
July 20, 2017Summertime is a favorite for tourists at Lake Tahoe, but the region's transportation system is not designed for the growing number of people who use it. The TRPA and TERC are coming up with a plan to fix the gridlock and improve the lake's clarity.
May 22, 2017A waste management agency in South Lake Tahoe has started offering homeowners loans to buy bear-proof garbage bins. It's an effort to reduce conflicts with the animals who wander into neighborhoods in search of food.
May 17, 2017It looks like this year's fire season will start later than normal in the Tahoe area...sometime in July-August rather than the typical May-June time frame. That's because of the wet winter and a snowpack 200 to 300 percent of normal.
January 11, 2017Homes and businesses in Truckee and Lake Tahoe are under several feet of snow.
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