Placer County Blog

Tahoe workers now have access to a down payment assistance program

Jul 23, 2021

Workers in the North Lake Tahoe region who cannot purchase a house may now apply for a new program that will assist them in realizing their housing goals.

Placer County’s new Workforce Housing Preservation Program, available at placer.ca.gov/whpp, is now taking applications, giving monetary assistance to qualifying purchasers in return for deed restrictions restricting their houses to only local employees. The money may be used to help with down payments or complete improvements for homebuyers.

The county Board of Supervisors adopted guidelines for the new program in February, permitting a soft launch of the program in eastern Placer County this year.

The program is based on the InDEED program in Vail, Colorado, which was created in response to growing housing costs and limited housing options for local employees. Vail’s housing problems are comparable to those in eastern Placer County, where second homeowners control over 90% of the properties. However, Vail has secured local housing by acquiring deed restrictions on more than 140 units since its debut in 2017. The initiative has now been copied in the Colorado municipalities of Frisco and Breckenridge.

The Workforce Housing Preservation Program in Placer County is divided into two parts: One for eastern Placer County, which is modeled after Vail’s, and the other for the entire county, which allows housing developers to fund deed restrictions as another way to meet their affordable housing obligations.

With limited initial financing, Placer will only accept applications from local workers in eastern counties during this initial round of the program.

Placer expects to spend $3 million per year on additional deed restrictions after fully implementing the program, with 40 in eastern Placer and 10 in the unincorporated county.

To qualify for a single-family unit in eastern Placer County, where housing costs are exceptionally high due to the tourism-driven economy, applicants must earn at least 245% of the average median income or 220% for a multifamily unit — about $223,000 and $200,000 for a family of four, respectively. In addition, to be considered, applicants must work at least 30 hours per week at a job location within the Tahoe Truckee Unified School District’s geographical borders.

Expenses for deed restriction will be determined on an individual basis for each submission. All parties must qualify for and get separate financing in order to buy a home. Deed limitations will last for 55 years in all circumstances, with the period renewing with each sale or transfer of the residence.

The Placer County Board of Supervisors authorized $250,000 in initial program financing from the county general budget and a $250,000 allotment of transient occupancy tax income set aside for housing and transportation. According to county officials, the initiative will eventually be run as a public-private partnership, with local companies and other groups affected by the housing crisis contributing to its funding.

Rocklin Brewfest Set for October 2

Jul 23, 2021

Get ready for Rocklin Brewfest 2021! This year’s event will take place on October 2 at Johnson-Springview Park.

More than 35 brewers will be on hand offering samples of their best brews. This year, we will also highlight seven wineries for wine enthusiasts.

Tickets are $45 if purchased in advance and $55 if purchased on the day of the event.
Doors open at 1 p.m.; pouring begins at 1:30 p.m. and stops at 4:30 p.m.
Must be 21 and older to attend.
With the exception of support animals, animals are not permitted inside the event.
Outside ice chests or containers are not permitted.

Visit rocklinbrewfest.com for more information!

Submit your suggestions for park names

Jul 14, 2021

It’s that time of year. Park name suggestions are now being collected.

There are seven new parks* in Roseville that need names, and you can help.

These are some of them:

CO-62, a 2.3-acre linear park in the Campus Oaks neighborhood.
CO-64/HP, an 8.6-acre park in the Campus Oaks neighborhood.
F-51, an 11.97-acre park near Riego Creek Elementary School on Roseville’s west side.
F-94, a one-acre park in west Roseville’s Fiddyment Farm neighborhood.
JM-50, an 8-acre park in the Sierra Vista neighborhood adjacent to a proposed primary school.
WB-50, an 8.7-acre park in the Westbrook region adjacent to a proposed primary school.
W-50D, a 1.2-acre community park in west Roseville near Garland and McCovey Ways.

Read more about the park name process and submit a suggestion form by 3 p.m. on August 6, 2021. Send your suggestions to the Roseville City Clerk at [email protected].

For additional information on this and other parks now in the development stage, visit roseville.ca.us/parksintheworks.

*These parks do not get any funding from the General Fund, with the exception of CO-64/HP. Each park has its own construction and maintenance budget, which is paid for using monies raised by the Community Facility District (CFD). CO-64/HP has been classified as a park for the entire city.

Roseville Unemployment Rate Has Dropped

Jul 14, 2021

In June, hiring rose in the U.S., and average hourly salaries grew as more people returned to their pre-pandemic lifestyles. However, there is still a long way to go until the country’s job losses are completely reversed.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the U.S. created 850,000 nonfarm employment in June, the biggest monthly rise since August 2020. Since April 2020, total payroll employment has increased by 15.6 million jobs. However, the country is still 6.7 million jobs (or around 4%) below where it was before the epidemic. Between May and June, the jobless rate increased by 0.1 percentage point to 5.9%.

The unemployment rate in Roseville has improved significantly since the outbreak began, with a little improvement from April to May. The most recent local unemployment data are from May.

In May, the unemployment rate in Placer County was 4.9%, down from 5.2% percent in April. This is a substantial improvement over last May when the jobless rate was 12.4%.

According to the most recent local BLS statistics, Placer County’s unemployment rate in May was lower than California’s 7.5% average.

The leisure and hospitality industry created 343,000 jobs nationwide in June, indicating that more Americans are eager to return to their favorite restaurants, bars and holiday destinations. Employment in the industry is slowly rebounding, with positions down 13% from pre-pandemic levels.

Average hourly earnings are continuing to climb as firms offer more money to fill vacancies. The average hourly salary increased by around 10 cents in June compared to May. Since April, average hourly salaries have increased by 43 cents.

President Joe Biden applauded the findings, claiming that the country is quickly rebounding from the pandemic’s economic toll.

“Rather than employees fighting with one another for limited jobs, companies are competing with one another to recruit workers,” he said in a statement.

Long-term unemployment (joblessness for 27 weeks or more) rose by 233,000 to 4 million in June; long-term unemployed persons make up roughly 42% of all unemployed people.

Auto retailer EchoPark to replace former Fry’s Electronics in Roseville

Jul 07, 2021

The former Fry’s Electronics in Roseville may finally be getting a new occupant.

North Carolina-based EchoPark, an automotive retailer, plans to renovate the site at Sunrise Avenue into space that is suitable for sales and vehicle reconditioning facilities.

The company specializes in sales of used cars that are under four years old and have low mileage. Car owners can also sell their gently used vehicles to EchoPark. As a one-stop shop, the auto retailer also offers financing.

EchoPark promises competitive pricing and an accelerated shopping experience for all customers. All the information about the vehicle is provided to the shopper upfront so they can save time before even setting foot on-site. Customers can also view dozens of photos and do all their maintenance work at EchoPark before driving off with their new ride.

For trade-ins, car owners can receive estimates on the website or by phone. The company uses a national retail database to appraise vehicles across all markets, ensuring shoppers get the best possible price around. The estimate is good for two weeks or 500 miles.

Only vehicles that meet the EchoPark standard are sold. They must be under four years old, have less than 50,000 mile and have no accidents. Vehicles must also pass a detailed safety inspection report. EchoPark offers outlet vehicles as well. These are between one and eight years old and have less than 80,000 miles.

Customers can also enjoy peace of mind when they buy from EchoPark. That’s because the vehicles remain under the original warranty plus an extended warranty for an additional five years.

The Roseville location will be the second store in California. Learn more about Echo Park’s national inventory, trade-in FAQs and financing here.

Placer named healthiest county in California

Jul 07, 2021

A new health report is giving Placer County high marks.

The U.S. News and World Report ranks Placer County 35 nationally, and first in California, for its overall health and fitness. Using 10 categories, the report used a broad framework to evaluate the wellness and health of nearly every county in the United States.

As identified by the National Committee on Vital and Health Statistics, the categories for the survey include overall population health, equity, education, housing, food and safety, public safety, among other categories.

Take a look at how the county fared in some of the major categories:

The county’s access to health care showed that less than 5% of residents are without health insurance. The number of people who smoke is under the national median. At 82.2 years, life expectancy in Placer County beats out the national average by five years.

When it comes to education, about 95% of residents earned a high school diploma and nearly half completed secondary degrees. In addition, communities in Placer County are more diverse within school settings when compared to other U.S. counties.

The survey and survey participants identify employment, work opportunities and wealth as key metrics for overall community fitness. They are also where areas in which Placer County shines. Residents earn about $40,000 more than the national median income. Unemployment and poverty rates in Placer County are well below the national media too.

The survey also scrutinized availability of healthy foods and rates of diabetes and obesity, which are linked to poor eating. With more local food options than the national average, Placer County’s disease prevalence is low. One of the areas of needed improvement: larger grocery stores. About a third of residents are not close enough to these stores, which reduces their access to a variety of grocery outlets.

Using a 100-point scale, Placer County earned 84 on overall health and economy. For full results and national rankings, go here.

Fireworks Safety Recommendations in Roseville

Jul 01, 2021

In California, only fireworks that have been certified as Safe and Sane by the California State Fire Marshal’s Office are allowed to be utilized. Fireworks may not be purchased by anybody under the age 18. Remember that any firework that darts across the ground, flies in the air or explodes is illegal in California. If the box does not bear the seal of the California State Fire Marshal, it is unlawful. Roseville Fire inspects and authorizes fireworks stands across the city to verify compliance with state and municipal regulations.

On June 28, the permitted time of sale for these fireworks at approved booths is noon to 10:00 p.m. Then it’s allowed to sell from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. on June 29 to July 4. Safe and Sane fireworks must be discharged between noon on June 28 and 11:59 p.m. on July 4 to be legal.

Here are some safety recommendations if you opt to use Safe and Sane Fireworks:

Always follow the guidelines.
Only use fireworks outside.
Only licensed fireworks stands can sell Safe and Sane Fireworks, which must have the State Fire Marshal’s stamp.
Always have an adult in the room.
Keep fireworks out of your pockets at all times.

To discard used fireworks, immerse them entirely in a pail of water and soak them for at least 24 hours, preferably overnight. Drain any leftover water and store your pyrotechnics in a sealable plastic bag to keep them wet once they’ve soaked. After you’ve followed these safety precautions, you can properly dispose of them in your exterior garbage can.

Placer County Stays True to Its Word and Secures Funds for Housing and Transportation

Jul 01, 2021

The Placer County Board of Supervisors voted to continue its investment in eastern Placer County’s economy by signing a contract with the North Lake Tahoe Resort Association (NLTRA) to support local businesses and promote responsible tourism, with additional funds going to transportation, housing and tourism mitigation.

The board authorized a roughly $4.2 million yearly contract with the NLTRA to sustain the tourism-based economy of North Lake Tahoe year-round and guarantee wide community participation while prioritizing initiatives in line with the Placer County Tourism Master Plan.

The North Lake Tahoe Business Community established the Tourism Business Improvement District (TBID) to support NLTRA initiatives. This decision was unanimously approved by the Placer County Board of Supervisors. Customers will be charged a 1% to 2% business assessment at the time of the transaction, and companies will begin collecting the assessment on July 1.

Because companies inside the TBID limits will not start collecting assessments until July, the resort association will continue to rely on transient occupancy tax (TOT) money until TBID earnings are adequate to pay those expenditures.

The difference between the annual budgeted amount and the TBID’s expected expenditures will be termed freed-up TOT money, which will be utilized for worker housing and transportation initiatives. The freed-up TOT revenues are estimated to be around $848,500 in the coming financial year.

Tourism is the county’s principal source of income, per the North Lake Tahoe Tourism Master Plan. North Lake Tahoe attracts approximately $800 million in annual visitor spending. Tourism is responsible for more than 60% of local employment and 51% of total revenues.

The work of the NLTRA focuses on responsible economic and tourist operations. Marketing, sales, public relations, events and tourism services are among the association’s specialization pillars. As one of two destination management groups for North Lake Tahoe, they are focusing on shoulder-season tourism in order to attract people during all four seasons and, as a result, sustain the local business community year-round.

The committee also authorized $215,000 in TOT funding to support visitor mitigation measures and services requested by the NLTRA Board of Directors. Improved pedestrian crossings on the west coast, a temporary traffic light at Grove Street and State Route 28 and bathrooms on Donner Summit are among the amenities.

Survey says residents love living in Roseville

Jun 24, 2021

A new national survey that gauges community satisfaction and overall livability ranks Roseville among the best places to live.

According to residents who live in Roseville, the local economy and community, transportation and city services are top notch.

In fact, Roseville is in the top 10 in multiple other categories and leads the nation in several others, according to the survey.

In many responses, it’s clear residents feel a tremendous sense of pride and trust in their city. In the survey results, residents praise city workers, as well. It’s also an indication that Roseville prioritizes customer service. The city’s participation in the national community survey is another clue that it listens to its community members and is responsive to their needs.

About 3,000 people were invited to take the survey. Respondents were ask for honest opinions about what it’s like to live in Roseville. The survey focused on 10 primary categories such as the local economy, public safety, community design, engagement, recreation and other important factors that make a city thrive.

Nine out of 10 residents responded favorably when asked about the city’s quality of life and overall livability. Residents plan on staying put for some time and have no desire of moving somewhere else anytime soon, the survey found. When asked about Roseville’s overall image, 93 percent of the community members give the thumbs up.

Generally, people who live in Roseville are happy about electricity services, utility infrastructure, and storm water management, in rankings that beat out the national average.

Roseville’s economy received high marks as well. Ninety percent of residents feels the local economy is roaring and providing job opportunities. Residents also love the shopping experience and the variety of business and service offerings around town.

Major rural lifestyle retailer setting up shop in Rocklin

Jun 24, 2021

The Rocklin Planning Commission is reviewing a proposal for a major national farm supply retailer to be the centerpiece of a new retail center.

Tractor Supply Co., the nation’s largest retailer of its kind, serves the needs of recreational farmers, ranchers and people who thrive on rural living. It’s been at it for more than 80 years and when it opens, the store will offer over 12,000 square feet of outdoor sales floor for larger products, in addition to a 4,445-square-foot greenhouse.

Products at Tractor Supply include goods for the home, surrounding land, pets and animals. The company customizes the customer experience through its varied product offerings, exclusive brands and large staff to answer all customer questions.

Other products include clothing, equine supplies, tractors (of course), fencing, irrigation parts, power tools and so much more.

The new Rocklin store will cover 22,000 square feet and will be next to space for future retail.

The city and the company are working on details about its outdoor sales space, which requires additional fencing and walling.

Tractor Supply Co. showed intentions of bringing a store to the area several years ago, receiving city approval for the project before it ultimately held off. Now, it’s on the verge of finding a new home in Rocklin along Lonetree Boulevard.