This is a bittersweet month as we say goodbye to two people who have shaped our Long Range Planning team in very meaningful ways: John Hester, our longest-serving team member and Chief Operating Officer; and Kaley Arboleda, our multi-talented outreach coordinator and assistant planner. While both are heading off to exciting new chapters—“retirement,” for John (though I question how long this status will apply), and a planning position for Kaley on California’s coast—it’s hard to imagine our team without them.
John inspired agency planners to think bigger, helping evolve an idea picked up in the field into something that will work at Lake Tahoe. Kaley’s role mirrored that on the public-facing side—she was connecting on housing issues with people, particularly those new to the process, making sure those same ideas landed clearly and stayed engaging once they reached the community.
We are grateful for the time we got to spend working with and learning from both of them.
Best of luck to John and Kaley in their future endeavors.-Karen Fink, Long Range Planning Director
The Local Lens – Wildfire Doesn’t Respect Property Lines
August 26, 2026 | Member Submitted
Written by Tom Millhoff
We longtime locals have watched our wildfire reality change—from distant risk to smoky summers, insurance non-renewals and increasingly frequent hot, dry, windy Red Flag Warning days. The recent Reno fires and Public Safety Power Outages are a useful reminder: here in Incline Village and Crystal Bay, we are living with fire.
Choking smoke from the 2020 Caldor and Dixie fires clouded sparked my motivation. Since then, our Upper Tyner neighborhood – the epitome of the wildland-urban interface, worked with the North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District (NLTFPD) and the Tahoe Resource Conservation District (TRCD) to become Incline’s first Firewise USA AND Fire Adapted Community. We’ve become safer, more resilient and insurable… even more neighborly.
Our NLTFPD has earned the highest possible insurance rating, and is doing extraordinary work to reduce wildfire risk on public lands surrounding and within our neighborhoods. As I write this, Forester Jason Furmaniak’s aptly named “Worm,” a remote-controlled masticating machine, is munching through manzanita below my house, helping create a 132-foot mosaic of healthier forest and defensible space around Incline’s “Halo” neighborhoods above Mt. Rose Highway. But even the top-rated fire district in the basin can’t do it all.
Wind-driven fires such as the Hawk, Bug, Davis and Caldor fires can throw burning embers a mile or more ahead of the flames. Those embers can jump roads, fire lines and fuels-reduction projects and land directly in our yards. Wildfire resilience is a team sport – we win together.
Here’s the uncomfortable truth: wildfire doesn’t respect property lines. Our individual decisions affect our neighbors. The greatest ignition threat to your home is on your own property; the largest fuel source threatening you may be the house next door. The forest may bring wildfire to Incline, but we residents can help determine whether it becomes a house-to-house neighborhood fire. Working together, we can make our communities safer, and our homes more insurable. Fortunately, you can make meaningful progress without a major landscaping project or a huge check.
Start with one easy step: create an Ember-Resistant Zone immediately around your home. Remove needles, leaves, wood mulch and other combustible material where wind-blown embers are most likely to collect. It’s inexpensive, it’s effective, and we’re in peak fire season, so there’s no better time than this weekend.
Ready for step two? Visit the Living With Fire–Tahoe website for practical guidance on home hardening and defensible space. Better yet, call NLTFPD and schedule a free Defensible Space Inspection. Fuels Mitigation Specialist Ryan Dominguez and his inspection team understand our local wildfire ignition and spread risks better than anyone. Why wouldn’t we welcome expert advice to protect our homes and neighborhoods?
No single homeowner can make Incline fire adapted. No fire district can do it for us. But if each of us takes one or two meaningful steps—and encourages the neighbor next door to do the same—the effect multiplies from home, to street, to neighborhood, to community.
That’s how we learn to live with fire. That’s how we protect one another. And that’s how Incline Village & Crystal Bay become a Fire Adapted Community.
About the Author Tom Millhoff has lived in Upper Tyner since the last millennium. He and the Incline High School Wildfire Ambassador team support development of local Fire Adapted Communities.
This summer, we’ve been conducting interviews with our partners through our social media series, Cultivating Community: Partner Perspectives. Through these conversations, we’ve learned a lot from our community partners about the work being done on the ground to support community members, especially our workforce, who are struggling, as we heard time and again, primarily with housing costs.
We also learned more about the programs that already exist across the Basin, the extent of this issue across both the North and South Shores, and the need for collaboration as a way to maintain the fabric of our community.
To watch these interviews, visit our Community Academy. Three interviews are up so far, featuring Sarah Schmidt from the Tahoe Prosperity Center, Jody Wright from Tahoe Family Solutions, and Jean Diaz from Saint Joseph Community Land Trust.
Read on to hear about Cultivating Community, Conserving the Basin project updates and an upcoming opportunity to get engaged.-Kaley Arboleda, Assistant Planner
Over the last year, the McCloud Condo Association has reinvested around half of those savings towards additional wildfire mitigation and home hardening.
Welcome to the IVCBA Second Quarter Community Update!
The past few months have been filled with exciting progress, successful events, and meaningful collaboration throughout Incline Village and Crystal Bay. From supporting local businesses and promoting community events to advancing beautification projects and expanding member services, IVCBA continues working to strengthen the place we all live, work, and play. Here’s a look at what we’ve accomplished together this quarter.
Communications & Marketing
This quarter focused on increasing member visibility, strengthening IVCBA’s brand, and connecting the community through strategic communications and marketing. Expanded marketing efforts increased awareness of IVCBA, its members, and community initiatives.
Highlights include:
Weekly SnapShot newsletter with 60%+ open rates and 15% click rate
Coordinated marketing campaign across digital, print, and community partners
Enhanced sponsorship recognition and promotional opportunities for community partners
Membership & Programs
Membership growth and engagement remained strong, supported by updated membership tiers and new opportunities for connection.
Highlights include:
13 new members joined | 92 memberships renewed
IVCBA took part in Ribbon cutting at both the Tahoe Aesthetician and Barton Health
IVCBA Annual Meeting with keynote speaker President Brian Sandoval – April 14
Community Events & Programs
Planning and updates for key programs and events continued to build momentum for the year.
Highlights include:
Restaurant Week held on April 16–25 was a resounding success with donations by restaurants made to Boys and Girls Club North Lake Tahoe
Media Sponsor for Tua Casa’s Wildfire Mitigation Seminar on May 28
Incline Green Clean and Incline Library Block Party on June 13
Event promoter for Local Heroes 4th of July Celebration July 2–4
Signature event co-sponsored with Rotary Club of Tahoe-Incline Local Heroes Parade, along with Community Fair on Village Green
Content & Digital Presence
Efforts focused on providing timely community information, increasing member visibility, and strengthening IVCBA’s digital resources.
Highlights include:
Published the Summer edition of LIVE.WORK.PLAY and began production of the Education & Family edition
Community Calendar maintained as the area’s central hub for local events
Website updates supporting community initiatives, member resources, and event promotion
Continued development of marketing materials and digital assets to support memberships, sponsorships, and community programs
Housing Initiatives
IVCBA continues to stay engaged in regional housing efforts and community education.
Highlights include:
Ongoing coordination with regional partners on workforce housing solutions
Planning for additional Housing Speaker Series programs at UNR Lake Tahoe
Incline Village Main Street Beautification
Main Street initiatives continue to focus on enhancing the look, feel, and connectivity of the community.
Highlights include:
Expansion of Inclined to Bloom program (pots and hanging baskets)
Exploration of placemaking elements along Tahoe Boulevard
Evaluation of trail connectivity and potential improvements
Gateway Roundabout Improvements Complete!
It took more than a Village to improve the Gateway Roundabout with irrigation, trees, plants, and boulders. They have given June Brown’s bronze animal sculptures a better home!
In-kind donations: Granite boulders from Realberry and SMC Construction, and FW Carson
Sierra Giving Circle Donors through Incline Tahoe Foundation, fiscal partner
Incline Village Main Street board and volunteers
Upcoming IVCBA Community Events
BizBuz Mixer at Pet Network — September 3
Washoe Tahoe Leadership Academy — September 23–25
Fall Fest at Village Center — October 17
Workforce Housing Speaker Series — October 27
IVCBA Team
IVCBA’s core team continues to support community growth, member engagement, and strategic programs throughout Incline Village and Crystal Bay.
Michael O’Neill, Operations Manager – Oversees membership, office operations, Biz Buz mixers, member socials, and welcome bags. (mike@ivcba.org)
Kristin Derrin, Marketing & Communications Manager – Editor of SnapShot and LIVE.WORK.PLAY; leads all marketing and communications. (kristin@ivcba.org)
Julie Malkin-Manning, Events Manager (Sugarpine Events & Marketing) – Coordinates all IVCBA community events. (julie@ivcba.org)
Linda Offerdahl, Executive Director – Leads organizational strategy and community partnerships. (linda@ivcba.org)
Contractors Association Of Truckee Tahoe Debuts New Digital Hub
July 28, 2026 | Member Submitted
“CATT Bid Connect” will help local homeowners find professional contractors
The Contractors Association of Truckee Tahoe (CATT) is expanding and modernizing its bid request program with the launch of CATT Bid Connect, a new digital platform designed to help local property owners find the right CATT professional for any project, regardless of size or budget.
The platform gives homeowners and property owners a simple front door into CATT’s network of more than 400 qualified local building professionals. Whether the need is landscaping, repairs, a specialty trade, a remodel, or a larger high-end residential construction or commercial project, property owners can submit a single request and let CATT point them in the right direction.
“CATT has always helped connect our community with qualified local building professionals,” says Denise Van Beek, CATT membership manager. “This new platform expands that capability by giving property owners one simple place to start, whether they have a small property need or a major construction project. It also helps our members receive more relevant opportunities based on the type of work they actually do.”
How It Works
The process is easy. Property owners can request a bid online, by phone, or by texting BID to CATT at (530) 536-1115. They simply provide details on the job they need done and their request is organized by project type, trade category, location, and scope, and then routed to the CATT members who actually perform that kind of work.
“Our goal is to make CATT the easiest and most trusted starting point for local property owners who need help with a project,” says Van Beek. “This platform helps us quickly connect requests with our trusted list of local professionals, so it takes the guesswork out of finding a contractor.”
Another benefit of the new platform is that it expands the variety of projects for which property owners can submit requests. A traditional bid request form can feel like it is only meant for larger, serious construction jobs. CATT Bid Connect broadens that idea. The platform can take in a wide array from requests, from small, quick fixes, to larger and more complex long-term jobs.
Examples include:
Handyman jobs
Defensible space
Tree work
Landscaping
Repairs and maintenance
Decks and exterior improvements
Roofing, windows, doors, and specialty trades
Remodels and additions
High-end residential construction
Commercial tenant improvements
Larger commercial or custom construction projects
The platform is powered by Bedrok Labs, a local technology company founded by Bevan Waite that builds intelligent communication and intake tools for contractors and construction organizations.
About CATT
The Contractors Association of Truckee Tahoe is a regional trade association dedicated to promoting a positive business environment for the building and housing industry. CATT connects property owners with hundreds of qualified and reliable member businesses for remodeling and new construction projects throughout the Truckee-Tahoe region, while providing its members with advocacy, education, networking, and business resources. Learn more at ca-tt.com.
In The News – Incline Village REALTORS® leverages Fair Housing Grant to advance education, training
July 28, 2026 | Member Submitted
Originally published in the Tahoe Daily Tribune, 7/28/2026, Staff Report
The association of Incline Village REALTORS® (IVR) received a $3,000 Fair Housing Grant to support national speaker Nate Johnson Overcoming Barriers to Fair Housing, at the Chateau in Incline Village Lake Tahoe, reinforcing its commitment to fair housing education, professional responsibility and housing access.
The grant award is made possible by the National Association of REALTORS® as part of its Community Development Advocacy program empowering REALTOR® associations to strengthen their communities through effective advocacy, partnerships, and on-the-ground initiatives.
“Nate engaged with all of us in a space of openness, safety & genuine inquisitiveness. The training was informative and interesting… I really appreciated the way Nate encouraged discussion and made everyone feel comfortable participating,” said Heather Bacon, Compass Real Estate Advisor.
July – Tahoe Living: Affordable Housing News and Events
July 16, 2026 | Member Submitted
Encouraging Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) was the first strategy that the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) took on in 2020 as part of its dedicated initiative to address affordable housing in the Tahoe Basin. Across the country, ADUs are known to:
Reduce sprawl because they are built on already developed land
Be more affordable to build because they are constructed on land that is already owned
Provide an income source to homeowners
Expand living options for individuals, family members, couples, or seniors
So, how well is this strategy working in Tahoe? Read on for successes and challenges and the latest stats on ADUs in the Tahoe Basin.
-Kaley Arboleda, Assistant Planner
Latest ADU StatsADUs continue to be one of the most effective tools for adding housing in the Tahoe Basin. As of 2018, 91 ADUs have been permitted and 35 units have been constructed across the region.Whether it’s a garage conversion, a detached cottage, or an addition to an existing home, ADUs offer flexible housing options for locals while making efficient use of land already served by existing infrastructure.Want to see how ADU activity breaks down by jurisdiction, or track progress over time? Check out TRPA’s ADU Dashboard for a closer look at permitting and construction trends across the basin.
Upcoming Governing Board Meeting
Tune in to the TRPA Governing Board meeting on Wednesday, July 22 for Senior Planner, Jacob Stock’s informational presentation of the three Cultivating Community, Conserving the Basin project alternatives derived from public input that will be studied in the Environmental Impact Statement.
The alternatives include a mix of strategies that maintain the Regional Plan’s development limits, each with an overarching theme:No Project Alternative: continue to rely on the homebuilding and commuting patterns we have today.Housing Forward Approach: encourage infill development and redevelopment with the goal of lowering costs for affordable and workforce housing.Housing Preservation Approach: utilize existing housing stock as much as possible.Meeting materials are posted here.
Coffee Hour: ADUs and Tahoe Housing Policy
TRPA and partners will be continuing our “Coffee Hour” meetups to cultivate understanding and dialogue about proposed policies and other housing solutions. Join us for the upcoming session:
Community Conversation with Erin Casey, Executive Director of the Tahoe Housing Hub Friday, July 31, 12:00 – 1:30 p.m. Virtual via Zoom Join a conversation with Erin Caseyabout the challenges and successes of building accessory dwelling units in Placer County, how this strategy relates to the Cultivating Community, Conserving the Basin project, and the potential for this small housing type to support our workforce in other parts of the basin in the future.
The IVCBA Housing Committee continues to bring together local organizations, housing professionals, employers, and community members to support practical workforce housing solutions for Incline Village and Crystal Bay. Here are some of the latest updates.
Employer Workforce Housing Forum Brings Local Resources Together
On July 22, the Incline Village REALTORS® will host the Employer Workforce Housing “Live Where You Work” Forum & Breakfast at The Chateau.
The event connects employers with local, state, and federal housing resources designed to help employees find attainable housing while strengthening Tahoe’s workforce. The morning also provided an opportunity for employers to network and discuss collaborative housing solutions for the region.
Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) continue to be one of the most practical ways to increase housing opportunities while preserving neighborhood character.
The Housing Committee recently shared an educational presentation outlining Washoe County’s ADU regulations, permitting process, and opportunities for homeowners interested in creating additional housing. It was originally presented to the Citizen Advisory Board by Washoe County.
New Tahoe Affordable Homeownership Program Launches
The St. Joseph Community Land Trust has introduced the TAHOE – Tahoe Affordable Home Ownership Enabling Program.
The program is designed to preserve existing affordable housing by:
Helping income-qualified first-time homebuyers purchase existing homes.
Purchasing existing homes and reselling them to qualified local buyers.
Assisting financially challenged homeowners in avoiding foreclosure and preserving homeownership.
Learn more by watching the program overview VIDEO HERE >
Old Incline Elementary School Site Under Review
The future of the former Incline Elementary School property continues to evolve.
The Tahoe Transportation District (TTD) is evaluating alternative uses for the parcel, originally acquired for a mobility hub. The Reno Housing Authority (RHA) is preparing a proposal for the Federal Transit Administration, while additional community concepts continue to emerge.
At the upcoming August TTD meeting, RHA will provide the board with an overview of their proposed project, including various housing type options that could be included in the development. Additionally, the Incline Sports Area has been invited to provide a presentation to the Board on other potential development projects for the property. The Housing Committee will continue monitoring developments and share updates as they become available.
The next is August 5th.
TRPA Cultivating Community Conserving the Basin
TRPA recently held an informal drop-in discussion on housing at Happy Tiers. TRPA is currently preparing an environmental impact statement (EIS) for the Cultivating Community, Conserving the Basin policy recommendations, focused on improving housing opportunities for local families, workers, and seniors while maintaining and improving environmental protections. The EIS will analyze the environmental impact of three policy alternatives. Find information on the project and a calendar of upcoming events at: www.tahoeliving.org. TRPA is providing an informational presentation on the EIS alternatives at its July 22 Governing Board meeting.
Workforce Housing Series Continues
The Housing Committee’s Workforce Housing Series will continue with its next community program on:
Tuesday, October 27, 2026
The topic will be announced soon and will focus on current housing issues affecting Incline Village and Crystal Bay.
More details will be shared as the program is finalized.
About the IVCBA Housing Committee
The IVCBA Housing Committee was formed in 2024 to support practical workforce housing solutions for Incline Village and Crystal Bay. Through community education, partnerships, and collaboration with local organizations, the committee works to advance housing opportunities that strengthen our local workforce and community. MORE INFO: https://www.ivcba.org/housing/ivcba-housing-committee/
Unlocking Workforce Housing Initiative Hosts Employer Forum & Breakfast to Support Local Workforce Homeownership
July 14, 2026 | Member Submitted
North Lake Tahoe employers invited to July 22 event focused on housing resources, employee retention, and local workforce stability
The Unlocking Workforce Housing initiative, led by local real estate, lending, escrow, title, and credit counseling professionals, will host the Employer Workforce Housing “Live Where You Work” Forum & Breakfast on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, at The Chateau in Incline Village. This event is sponsored by the Incline Village Realtors Association and IVCBA.
The event is designed to help North Lake Tahoe employers connect their employees with trusted housing education, homeownership resources, financing options, below-market-rate housing opportunities, and local assistance programs.
Breakfast and networking will begin at 8:30 a.m., sponsored by Columbia Bank. A presentation from 9:00 to 10:15 a.m. will highlight local, state, and federal employer resources that can help Lake Tahoe employees find realistic housing solutions. The event will conclude with an employer networking session from 10:30 to 11:00 a.m. focused on stabilizing the Tahoe workforce through shared ideas, needs, and solutions.
“Most people do not realize there are approximately 100 below-market-rate condos in Incline Village for low- and moderate-income households, or that loan and grant resources are available for essential workers,” said Laura Levine Kalisch, Chair of the Workforce and Fair Housing Committee and Senior Loan Advisor at Columbia Bank. “Our goal is to bring accurate information directly to employees where they work and help employers support the people who keep our community running.”
The initiative is supported in part by grant funding from the National Association of REALTORS®, spearheaded by Dr. Laura Vitencz, CEO of Incline Village REALTORS®. The grant supports outreach, collateral creation, web resources, and Spanish-language translation where needed.
“This program is about connecting the workforce with real resources and trusted local guidance,” said Dr. Laura Vitencz. “By partnering with employers, we can make housing education more accessible and help employees better understand the pathways that may be available to them.”
The July 22 event will also feature the initiative’s newest workforce homeowner family, highlighting how education, local resources, and one-on-one support can help make homeownership possible.
The Workforce Homeownership/Housing Resource Program is available at no cost to participating employers and can be tailored for onsite workshops, staff meetings, morning crews, administrative teams, or other employee groups. Workshops may include homebuyer education, financing options, down payment assistance, below-market-rate housing opportunities, budgeting, and individual confidential follow-up support.
Event Details
Employer Workforce Housing “Live Where You Work” Forum & Breakfast
Photo Caption: Local REALTORS®, housing professionals, and school leadership gather at Incline Elementary School for an Unlocking Workforce Housing workshop designed to connect Tahoe employees with homeownership education, housing resources, and local support. Pictured left to right: Amanda Mueller, REALTOR®; Sarah Zabel, M.Ed., Principal, Incline Elementary School; Dr. Laura Vitencz, Ph.D., CEO, Incline Village REALTORS®; Suzie McSherry, REALTOR®; and Laura Levine Kalisch, Workforce Housing Committee Chair and Senior Loan Advisor, Columbia Bank.
Unlocking Workforce Housing is a volunteer-led initiative connecting local employers and employees with homeownership education, housing resources, financial assistance programs, and trusted local professionals. The program supports workforce stability, employee retention, and long-term community sustainability in Incline Village and North Lake Tahoe.
