Measure G

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. Measure G passed with nearly 65% voter approval.

Measure G Implementation Update

In November 2024, Palm Desert voters approved Measure G, a local sales tax measure designed to maintain and enhance essential city services. Since its passage, the City has been committed to delivering on the priorities that matter most to our residents. To keep the community informed, the information below highlights the progress made so far.

Fire Stations 33 & 71

New Construction and renovations are underway to enhance emergency response capabilities.
Status: In Progress
5-Yr G Investment: $2.4M
Other Funding Sources: Fire Fund, & Capital Bond Funds - $25.3M

Fire Operations & New Fire Station 102

Fire Station 102 construction is underway, and operations are estimated to begin April 2026.
Status: In Progress
5-Yr G Investment: $47.7M
Other Funding Sources: General Fund and Fire Fund $20.6M

Police Operations

To date three new additional officers have been added with three more in the next fiscal year. Also, enhancing our technology is underway.
Status: In Progress
5-Yr G Investment: $13.6M
Other Funding Source: General Fund $25-30M/Yr

Library

A $30M civic center campus library is in the conceptual design phase and expected to be completed in 2028.
Status: In Progress
5-Yr G Investment: $6M
Other Funding Sources: Library Capital Fund & Capital Bond Funds - $24M

Dave Erwin Park & North Sphere Regional Sports Park

Planning and development underway for two new Parks in North Palm Desert: Dave Erwin Park & NS Regional Sports Park.
Status: In Progress
5-Yr G Investment: $46M
Other Funding Sources: Capital Bond Fund $2M

Stormwater/ Drainage Improvement Projects

Upgrades to the stormwater network with an $8M grant to prevent flooding & improve drainage in N Palm Desert is in various stages.
Status: In Progress
5-Yr G Investment: $17.SM
Other Funding Sources: General Fund $8M

Facilities and Equipment

Citywide Facilities, Infrastructure, & Equipment being assessed and prioritized based on need
Status: In Progress
5-Yr G Investment: $48.3M
Other Funding Sources: General Fund $8-l0M/Yr

Public Works Staff

Recruit three additional public works employees to support the growth in N Palm Desert.
Status: Complete (Yr 1)
5-Yr G Investment: $1.3M
Other Funding Sources: General Fund

Reserve Replenishment

General Fund dollars have been used to support these efforts ahead of the receipt of Measure G Funds, which will begin April 1. Not needed at this time.
Status: As needed
5-Yr G Investment: $0

Five Year Plan

Fire Station 102 Construction and Staffing
The City has reallocated bond proceeds intended for lower priority projects to build Fire Station 102. Upon its opening, the Fire Services costs are estimated to increase $7.5M in the first year to operate the new station and ladder truck. Additionally, Cal-Fire who provides the staffing for fire services in Palm Desert through the contract with the County of Riverside, has implemented new requirements that require additional staffing to accommodate the various changes including limiting the max number of hours each fire person is permitted to work. The associated costs immediately increase costs by an additional $3M annually beginning in 2025-26. Revenues associated with the growth in the North Sphere grow at a much slower pace and will not be able to support the increased staffing needs to maintain current emergency service levels. Funding from the could be used for these costs.

Fire Station 33 Rehabilitation
Over a period of years, the City has transferred funds from the General Fund to reserve funds necessary to rehabilitate the 30+ year old Fire Station 33. Current estimates are at $6M. Costs to house the staff during rehabilitation have not been included in the budget. Funding from the Tax could be used to pay these costs, while not limiting service to the community or risking the safety of the staff during that time.

Fire Station 71 Reconstruction
Over a period of years, the City has transferred funds from the General Fund to reserve funds necessary to rehabilitate the 30+ year old Fire Station 71. Current estimates are at $7M. Costs to house the staff during rehabilitation have not been included in the budget. Funding from the Tax could be used to pay these costs, while not limiting service to the community or risking the safety of the staff during that time.

Increase Public Safety Patrol Staffing (3)
The Public Safety Committee has identified additional patrols in the City as a priority to address traffic issues and rising crime rates. The cost for 3 additional police officers is $1.3M in FY 2024-25. Overall public safety costs typically increase at approximately 3-5% annually. As the City continues to grow, we anticipate the need for an additional three police officers in Year 4 of the plan.

North Sphere Flood Control Infrastructure and Emergency Plan
As a result of Tropical Storm Hilary, City staff has analyzed ways to address those areas of the City that were adversely impacted. The North Sphere was impacted by flooding, silt, and debris that moved eastward from the Morongo basin. The $6M in cleanup costs were covered by City emergency reserve funds. Staff hopes to recover approximately $3-4M of those costs through insurance and FEMA claims. However, maintaining and improving infrastructure, expanding retention basin areas, and ensuring the cities storm water infrastructure network is properly maintained and improved will be paramount to managing long-term impacts for residents.

North Sphere Public Works Staffing (3)
As the City continues to grow, additional public works crews are required to maintain the city's infrastructure network . Staff estimates the cost for 3 additional crew members to be roughly $360,000 in 2024-25 dollars. The growth in north PD including new roadways, sidewalk, drainage and park infrastructure and additional staffing or contracts will be required to maintain new assets.

Palm Desert Library Construction and Staffing
The City has reallocated bond proceeds intended for lower priority projects to help build the Palm Desert Municipal Library. Costs are currently estimated at $30M for construction. There currently is approximately $20M in proceeds available, with the remaining $10M requiring the use of reserves and/or funding from another source such as the sales tax.

North Sphere Regional Park and Staffing
A small portion of the costs for the construction of the North Palm Desert Regional Park is currently covered by bond proceeds. However, the majority of the $20M estimated costs would be paid through the use of reserve funds, or funding from another source, such as the sales tax to complete construction. Depending on the ultimate design and use of the park facilities, additional staffing will be required, which could be paid from the sales tax funding.

Replenishment of Emergency and Operation Reserves
The City may be required to use reserve funds to pay for numerous facility maintenance and capital improvement costs over the next 5 years. Additionally, planning and preparing for natural disasters, by reserving for emergencies is important, as evidenced by the swift response to Tropical Storm Hilary. Palm Desert's ability to recover from such events is necessary to support community resiliency. Sales tax revenue would be allocated to replenish the reductions to reserve in accordance with the reserve policy. This standard supports the City's continued effort to maintain fiscal responsibility and not having to rely on debt financing.

Ballot Measure Information

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?”

If approved by voters, the Measure will provide additional funding that could be used to:

Maintain 911 emergency medical, police and fire response services
Keeping public areas safe and clean
Maintain streets and roads
Address homelessness
Maintain libraries, parks and recreation programs

And any other services and infrastructure maintained by the General Fund.

Accountability Provisions

Information on District Taxes for Retailers

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Measure G be 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.

What if the Palm Desert Public Safety, Roads, City Services Measure didn't pass?
If the Palm Desert Public Safety, Roads, City Services Measure was not approved, the General Fund will not receive the sales tax revenues identified in the Measure. The City Council will then have to decide, as part of the budgeting process, whether other revenues are available to pay for City programs and services, or whether City programs and services will have to be reduced.

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.

Need Assistance
City staff is here to help with questions about the website or City services.

For general questions, please email info@palmdesert.gov
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