Title
Planning and Building Department, Economic Development Division, recommending the Board consider the following:
1) Approve the El Dorado County Economic Strategy Implementation Plan prepared by the El Dorado County Strategic Economic Enhancement and Development Committee (SEED); and
2) Direct staff and SEED to begin coordinated implementation as detailed in the plan and return to the Board annually with progress updates.
FUNDING: N/A
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
On August 26, 2025, the Board received a presentation on the El Dorado County Economic Strategy and directed staff and SEED to work with the Budget Ad Hoc committee to prioritize the items in the Strategy. Following this direction, staff and SEED representatives met with the Budget Ad Hoc in October 2025 to define priority actions, clarify roles and responsibilities, and identify the need for a formal implementation plan to translate strategic goals into actionable work.
On November 18, 2025, the Board adopted Resolution 172-2025 updating SEED’s scope of work, which directed SEED to prepare a workplan to implement priority projects identified in the Economic Strategy and requires that the plan be updated at least annually and presented to the Board for review and approval.
Consistent with the Board’s direction, SEED spent several months developing the Economic Strategy Implementation Plan in partnership with County departments and key stakeholders. The Implementation Plan converts the Countywide Economic Strategy into a coordinated set of projects structured across three (3) phases: Activation (0-12 months); Expansion (1-3 years); and Institutionalization (3-5 years). Each project includes a designated lead, partners, key deliverables, and measurable performance metrics. This structure ensures accountability, transparency, and alignment with the County’s fiscal and community priorities.
The proposed Implementation Plan aims to address the County’s significant long-term revenue challenges and aligns priority projects with the Board’s goals to strengthen local businesses, improve workforce readiness, grow tourism-related revenue, increase property tax base opportunities, and support rural community quality of life. The Implementation Plan also emphasizes early revenue-generation opportunities, including Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) growth and tourism-management improvements, while establishing systems and programs that support business vitality, targeted industry attraction, land-use readiness, and long-term economic diversification.
At its June 2026 meeting, SEED voted to recommend that the Board adopt the Implementation Plan. Staff concurs and recommends that the Board provide final feedback, approve the Implementation Plan, and direct SEED and County departments to begin coordinated implementation and return annually with progress updates consistent with Resolution 172-2025.
ALTERNATIVES
The Board may choose not to approve the proposed Implementation Plan, or may direct staff and/or SEED to consider further modifications and return to the Board at a later date.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
The Board has previously taken the following actions related to the El Dorado County Economic Strategy and/or SEED Committee:
• File No. 25-1887 - Adopted Resolution 172-2025 updating SEED’s scope of work.
• File No. 25-1332 - Received a presentation on the Economic Strategy and provided direction on priority actions.
• File No. 24-0898 - Adopted Resolution 111-2024 forming SEED.
• File No. 25-0516 - Approved updates to the current Countywide Strategic Plan, including the goal of developing an Economic Development Strategic Plan.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
Chief Administrative Office
CAO RECOMMENDATION / COMMENTS
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no direct financial impact or change to Net County Cost associated with the approval of the proposed Implementation Plan. Future financial implications may arise as individual projects are proposed and will be brought to the Board as appropriate.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
N/A
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Thriving Economy - The proposed El Dorado County Economic Strategy Implementation Plan directly supports the County’s goal to attract and retain businesses, stimulate entrepreneurship, and diversify the local economy, with emphasis placed on creating a business-friendly environment, streamlining the permit process, supporting small businesses, and leveraging economic development incentives.
CONTACT
Karen L. Garner, Director
Planning and Building Department