Memorandum
Date: March 10, 2026
To: The Honorable Lake County Board of Supervisors
From: Benjamin Rickelman, Deputy County Administrative Officer
Subject: Consideration of a Joint Letter Advocating for Opportunity Zones Selection
Executive Summary:
At the February 3, 2026, Board of Supervisors meeting there was a preliminary presentation regarding the Opportunity Zones program, updates to the program, and the eligible census tracts in Lake County that could be selected for the upcoming Opportunity Zones designation. Board direction was given to prioritize eligible census tracts for Opportunity Zones selection advocacy and return for further discussion.
Since that Board of Supervisors meeting County staff have discussed with the City of Lakeport and the City of Clearlake which census tracts to prioritize for Opportunity Zones selection advocacy. The attached letter prioritizes nomination of six (tier one) of the nine Lake County eligible census tracts. The groupings are based on an estimation of the likelihood of large-scale development occurring within these census tracts. The joint letter still needs approval from the City of Lakeport and the City of Clearlake.
The Opportunity Zones designation process starts July 1, 2026, and is due to Treasury by September 29, 2026. The upcoming round of Opportunity Zones designation will take effect January 1, 2027, and existing Opportunity Zones will expire on December 31, 2028. The program is now a permanent section of the Federal tax code with new designations every 10 years.
Staff recommends your Board approve a joint letter to the Governor's Office advocating certain eligible census tracts for Opportunity Zones selection.
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