South Lake Tahoe council member urges focus on senior housing, raises concerns about utility changes

Dave Jenkins, a South Lake Tahoe city council member, told the El Dorado County Commission on Aging that seniors must be a strategic focus as the region negotiates development and utility changes. Jenkins, introduced as the meeting’s substitute guest speaker, said he ran for office on senior advocacy and urged the commission and regional partners to prioritize housing and services for older residents.

Jenkins described several local projects and economic shifts during his presentation, including marina renovations and hotel/property renovations in South Lake Tahoe. He said the city is recruiting a new city manager and that local leadership should work with regional agencies to balance environmental protections with investments that generate revenue for services.

Why it matters: Jenkins framed senior housing as both a social and economic issue, arguing that without targeted market-rate and senior housing the community risks losing long-term residents. He highlighted Sugar Pine Village’s multigenerational approach as a model and said he wants more of that mix to preserve neighborhood character while offering options for older adults.

Jenkins also raised concerns about recent activity involving Liberty (the local utility company) and changes to metering. He said the city has asked for clearer information about Liberty’s plans and the timing of any supplier changes. “We want some answers on these smart meters,” Jenkins said, noting that commissioners heard a district representative from Liberty but still lack details on cost and privacy impacts. He warned that higher utility costs and poorly communicated changes could disproportionately affect seniors on fixed incomes.

Public commenters echoed the concern that local seniors are not always benefiting from countywide programs and urged more coordination. Trudy Morgan, representing Senior Inc., asked the commission to focus outreach and services specifically in South Lake Tahoe.

The commission did not take a formal vote on Jenkins’s recommendations. Jenkins urged commissioners and staff to continue collaborating and offered his contact information to assist with follow-up.

What’s next: Commissioners said they will continue coordinating with regional partners and review follow-up communications from Liberty and the California Public Utilities Commission once they become available.