EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. — The El Dorado County Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday to extend the county’s Film Commission for another year, approving a one-year memorandum of understanding that keeps the El Dorado Lake Tahoe Film & Media Office operating despite ongoing budget pressures and uncertainty over its long-term future.
The agreement allows longtime Film Commissioner Kathleen Dodge to continue serving as the county’s liaison between film and television productions, local governments, businesses and residents. Her position will continue to be funded through the El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce under the one-year agreement.
The vote comes after the county began reevaluating tourism-related funding during budget discussions in 2025, when officials confronted an estimated $15 million budget shortfall. As part of those discussions, the Board of Supervisors eliminated Tourist Occupancy Tax allocations that had previously supported several tourism organizations, including the Film Commission, Arts & Culture El Dorado, the Highway 50 Association Wagon Train, the Tahoe South Shore Chamber of Commerce and the El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce.
Despite losing its previous funding source, supporters argued the Film Commission generates economic activity that far exceeds its operating costs.
According to Dodge, productions filmed in El Dorado County generate an average annual economic impact of approximately $7.1 million through local spending on lodging, catering, construction materials, equipment rentals, transportation, professional services and wages for local residents hired as crew members or extras.
“This is the biggest year as far as economic impact, while the rest of California is struggling,” Dodge said.
The county is currently experiencing one of its busiest production years in decades.
Among the largest projects is “Gold Mountain,” the latest feature from Academy Award-winning director Ang Lee. The film, based on the bestselling novel How Much of These Hills Is Gold, has been shooting in southern El Dorado County and is projected to generate an estimated $30 million in local economic activity, according to Dodge.
Meanwhile, an episode of Mr. & Mrs. Smith recently wrapped production in South Lake Tahoe. Although only a single television episode, Dodge said the production generated approximately 2,700 hotel room nights, providing a substantial boost to local lodging, restaurants and other businesses.
El Dorado County has long served as a backdrop for major motion pictures and television productions. Its diverse landscapes—from the granite shoreline of Emerald Bay at Lake Tahoe to the rolling foothills near El Dorado Hills—have appeared in productions spanning nearly a century.
Among the best-known films shot in the county are the 1936 musical Rose Marie starring Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy, as well as scenes from Top Gun: Maverick starring Tom Cruise.
Beyond attracting productions, Dodge’s office serves as the central point of contact for filmmakers navigating local permitting requirements, identifying filming locations and coordinating with county departments, state parks, cities and private property owners. The office also helps connect production companies with local vendors, contractors and service providers.
While El Dorado County benefits from permit fees on productions occurring within county jurisdiction, much of the broader economic return comes indirectly. Film crews purchase building materials, rent equipment, hire local tradespeople, book hotel rooms, eat at area restaurants and contract with businesses throughout the county, generating sales tax revenue and supporting local employment.
Dodge also noted that productions often leave lasting community benefits. During filming of Mr. & Mrs. Smith, the production made a significant donation benefiting the Hellman-Ehrman Mansion at Ed Z’berg Sugar Pine Point State Park.
The Board of Supervisors also expressed interest in developing a succession plan for the Film Commission. Dodge acknowledged that recruiting a future commissioner could prove difficult if the position continues to be funded on an annual basis without longer-term stability.
Neighboring counties have taken different approaches. Placer County operates its film office through its Economic Development Division, while Sacramento County also maintains a dedicated film office supported through county government.
For now, Tuesday’s vote ensures the El Dorado Lake Tahoe Film & Media Office will continue operating through the next fiscal year, allowing Dodge to continue supporting productions already scheduled across the region.
“It is an honor to serve the community for one more year,” Dodge told South Tahoe Now.
According to county officials, the memorandum of understanding will return for consideration during next year’s budget cycle, when supervisors are expected to revisit the long-term structure and funding of the Film Commission.
Sources: El Dorado County Board of Supervisors meeting agenda and memorandum of understanding; South Tahoe Now reporting and interview with Kathleen Dodge; economic impact information provided by the El Dorado Lake Tahoe Film & Media Office.
