When people talk about getting involved in local government, most imagine casting a vote or showing up to a public meeting. But one of the most impactful ways to shape the future of our town is also one of the most overlooked: understanding the budget.

The Town of Truckee’s annual budget might not grab headlines, but it determines nearly everything about how our community functions—what gets funded, who gets support, and which priorities rise to the top. Roads, housing, snow removal, sustainability programs, small business resources, wildfire mitigation; none of it happens without a budget behind it.

That’s why we at the Truckee Chamber of Commerce are encouraging residents and business owners alike to get involved in the Town’s budgeting process. We believe a more informed community leads to more effective, equitable decision-making.

But we also know the process can feel intimidating. That’s why we’re partnering with the Town to host a free public event designed to break it down. Town Talk: Demystifying the Town of Truckee Budget Process on Monday, April 28 from 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. at Lift Workshop: Cowork, Conference, and Wellness Center.

This Town Talk is a chance to hear directly from Town staff about how the budget is developed, what the timeline looks like, how community input is incorporated, and what’s on the table for FY 25/26. Whether you’re new to civic engagement or a seasoned policy watcher, this is a great way to be informed about what this coming year will look like for the Town of Truckee.

And here’s the thing: you don’t need a finance degree to care about the budget. You just need to care about your community.

Truckee is growing and evolving. With that growth comes hard choices about how to allocate limited resources. When more people understand the budgeting process, we get better, more balanced outcomes because the full range of community voices is heard. That includes business owners, parents, retirees, artists, students, and everyone in between.

At the Chamber, we see firsthand how budget decisions affect everything from workforce housing to snow-clearing routes to downtown vitality. But you don’t have to run a business to feel those impacts. If you’ve ever wondered why a certain trail didn’t get maintained, or how grants are awarded, or where sales tax dollars go, this conversation is for you.

Let’s make local government less mysterious. Join us in showing up, asking questions, and helping to shape the kind of Truckee we want to live in.