Measure G - Palm Desert Sales Tax Measure

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Investing in Palm Desert’s Future

In November 2024, Palm Desert voters approved Measure G, a local 1% sales tax designed to maintain and enhance essential city services like fire, police, parks, libraries, roads, and homelessness response.

Measure G went into effect on April 1, 2025, and is expected to generate about $25 million annually—with up to 70% of those dollars coming from visitors and non-residents.

Preliminary Quarter Four Scorecard

The City has launched a Measure G Scorecard to keep residents informed on how funds are being invested. The Quarter Four update highlights early progress on priority projects, including construction of Fire Station 102, planning for a new municipal library, and flood control improvements in the North Sphere. The Scorecard will continue to be updated as projects advance, so the community can see Measure G dollars at work in real time.

View the Preliminary Quarter Four Report (As of 10/2/2025)
Quarter Four 2025 Scorecard

Contact the Finance Department

Have questions about Measure G or how funds are being used? The City’s Finance Department is here to help. Our staff can provide additional information, direct you to official reports, or connect you with public meeting schedules where Measure G updates are discussed.

Phone: (760) 776-6344
Email Director of Finance, Veronica Chavez: vchavez@palmdesert.gov

Projects Now Underway with Measure G

Measure G revenue is already being put to work on projects that reflect community priorities:

Public Safety

Construction of Fire Station 102, with staffing and equipment to meet growing emergency service demands.
Rehabilitation of Fire Stations 33 and 71 to ensure safe, modern facilities for firefighters.
Hiring of three additional police officers to expand patrols and address traffic and crime concerns.

Infrastructure & Flood Protection

North Sphere flood control upgrades, including stormwater improvements and long-term emergency planning.
Additional Public Works crews to maintain growing infrastructure in northern Palm Desert.

Parks, Recreation & Libraries

Development of a new Palm Desert Municipal Library.
Planning and construction of the North Sphere Regional Park, a new recreational hub for families and residents.

Financial Stability

Replenishing emergency reserves to protect against disasters and maintain fiscal health.

Background on Measure G

Accountability & Oversight

Community Engagement

Business & Consumer Information

Ballot Information & Legal Documents

The City of Palm Desert provides a variety of general municipal services, including fire, police, and emergency 911 medical response; senior and library services; parks maintenance; homelessness response; and other general maintenance and services. In recent years, the City’s ability to maintain these services has become more challenging due to operating costs rising at a faster pace than revenues.

The Palm Desert Public Safety, Roads, City Services Measure was placed on the November 5, 2024 ballot to raise additional revenue to support the City’s General Fund.

Palm Desert Public Safety, Roads, City Services Measure Defined

The Palm Desert Public Safety, Roads, City Services Measure seeks voter approval to authorize a 1 cent sales tax to maintain city services. If approved, the Measure is estimated to generate approximately $25 million annually to support Palm Desert’s General Fund.

A “YES vote” approves the City’s proposal; a “NO vote” rejects the proposal.

A one cent sales tax, is a 1% tax on items bought and sold in the City. The sales tax is levied at a rate of one cent per dollar, or one percent. It is standard language used interchangeably when discussing a sales tax increase. Currently for every dollar spent on a taxable item in Palm Desert, the sales tax is 7.75 cents. The proposed increase under Measure G would make that 8.75 cents, thus the reference to a one cent tax.

City Attorney's Impartial Analysis, Primary Arguments, and Rebuttal Arguments

The City Attorney's Impartial Analysis, Primary Arguments, and Rebuttal Arguments related the Measure G are available for public review in the City's online records center. Unredacted documents can be requested from the City Clerk's Office during regular business hours.

Palm Desert Public Safety, Roads, City Services Measure Ballot Question

“PALM DESERT PUBLIC SAFETY, ROADS, CITY SERVICES MEASURE. To maintain Palm Desert’s long-term finances, City services such as 911 emergency medical/police/fire response, fire protection, response to property crime/thefts, keeping public areas safe/clean, maintaining streets, roads, parks, youth/senior programs; retain/attract local businesses; and for general government use, shall the measure establishing a 1¢ sales tax generating approximately $25,000,000 annually until ended by voters, requiring public spending disclosure, funds controlled locally, be adopted?”

Proposed Revenue Measure & Ballot Measure

Presentation on Sales Tax Measure

Please use the following link to view a presentation on the sales tax measure:

Presentation slide deck

Information on District Taxes for Retailers

Please use this link to visit the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration's website.

Frequently Asked Questions

When Was Measure G Implemented?

In November 2024, Palm Desert residents approved Measure G. The increased sales tax will be implemented on April 1, 2025.

As a Business Owner, How will I be Notified so I Can Make the Necessary Changes to my POS?

All taxpayers (merchants applying tax during sales transactions in Palm Desert) will receive a special notice from CDTFA regarding new sales and use tax rates effective April 1, 2025 - 30 days before the new rates start either via e-notice or a letter format that has a “Special Notice” on the top. CDTFA will also post it on their website (in March) on the Special Notices and Notification Letters webpage: https://www.cdtfa.ca.gov/news/special-notices-and-notification-letters.htm

How Much Will it Cost Residents and Others Shopping in Palm Desert?

The cost to an individual depends on the amount of goods or services purchased. If passed, a taxable purchase of $20 in the City of Palm Desert would cost an additional $0.20.
The proposed tax increase would be collected in the same manner as the existing City sales and use tax and would be subject to all same tax exemptions. Most groceries, prescription medicine and medical supplies, rent, utilities, diapers, and feminine hygiene products would be exempt from this tax. For a complete list of all the sales and use tax exemptions, please visit the California Tax Service Center.

Will Visitors Pay the Tax?

According to City records, up to 70% of sales tax dollars collected in Palm Desert come from tourists and visitors from surrounding areas. This city sales tax would be added to and apply to the same goods and services as the current sales tax, and to both visitors and residents.

Was the Community Consulted prior to the Measure Being Placed on the Ballot?

The City of Palm Desert hosted a series of Community Outreach meetings and conducted a Community Priorities Survey. At these meetings, staff provided an overview of the City’s services, budget outlook, and potential options to cut services and enhance revenue.

The City also distributed a city-wide informational mailer in English and Spanish to educate the public about the financial challenges facing the City and to invite the public to our Community Town Hall events.