June 12 Daily Briefing: ‘Naked Bridge’ news, budget moves, library location, and more

Welcome to Thursday! We’re big fans of funny films, so it’s probably no surprise that we read the latest column by the president of the city’s Historical Society with great interest. “Desire” — screening this Sunday as the final film in this year’s Screwball Sundays series at Camelot Theatres — stars Marlene Dietrich and Gary Cooper,  both of whom have significant ties to Palm Springs. Ernst Lubitsch, a frequent guest at the El Mirador Hotel, produced it. If you attend (find details here), you might want to keep in mind that nostalgic nod to the desert’s glamorous and storied Hollywood roots.

🎶 Setting the mood: “God Only Knows” by The Beach Boys (RIP Brian Wilson ❤️)

LEADING OFF

Council addresses budget deficits with funding shifts, reserves spending

The Palm Springs City Council Wednesday evening directed staff to pursue funding shifts and reserve spending to address projected general fund deficits of $1.3 million in fiscal year 2025-26 and $8.5 million in 2026-27. 

Driving the news: The council’s action came during a budget session showing city spending rising to $182.3 million by 2026-27 while revenues grow more modestly. 

• City officials attributed the shortfalls to rising personnel costs, a one-time $29 million payment to reduce pension liabilities, and continued transfers to housing and retirement reserves.

The solution: The council directed staff to use Measure J infrastructure funds to cover $5 million in general fund expenses in fiscal year 2026 and $8.5 million in 2027, focusing on deferred maintenance projects and public safety vehicle purchases.

• The council also agreed to reduce annual contributions to the city’s pension reserve from $6 million to $1 million while maintaining the full $3 million annual allocation for affordable housing programs.

By the numbers: Despite budget pressures, the council maintained funding for nearly $150 million in capital improvement projects over the next two years, including a $42.5 million library renovation and $6 million for 24 pickleball courts at Demuth Park.

• The budget adds four new police officers and four new firefighters, plus a $3 million firearms training facility renovation.

The bright spot: Palm Springs International Airport continues strong financial performance with revenues projected at $108 million in fiscal year 2026 and $113 million in 2027.

• The airport set a record in March with 493,450 passengers and maintains nearly $100 million in reserves.

What’s next: The council directed staff to bring back a revised budget on June 25 for final adoption.

Dive deeper with our complete story

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BRIEFLY

📚 Site approved for library to relocate during renovation

The Palm Springs City Council approved a three-year lease agreement Wednesday for the city’s main library to relocate to a temporary location in Rimrock Plaza while the current facility undergoes an 18-month renovation project.

• The library plans to close after its summer reading program ends July 18 and reopen at the temporary southern Palm Springs location by Aug. 1, Library Director Jeannie Kays said.
  
• To address the relocation from the central city location to the southern site, library staff will expand programming at the downtown Welwood Murray Memorial Library and partner with community organizations including Mizell Center and The LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert.
  
• Bottom line: The temporary facility near Vons grocery store will maintain all essential services including passport acceptance, programming, book checkout, library card issuance, computers, WiFi access and cooling center operations. 

Dive deeper with our complete story

🎭 Dezart Performs has design team in place for new playhouse

Dezart Performs is making strides in converting the First Church of Christ, Scientist on Riverside Drive into its new playhouse, planned for a November opening. First, it’s making some important announcements.

• Season 18 will open with the first phase completed, featuring a state-of-the-art 131-seat theater with a multi-purpose rehearsal hall, event prep room, and individual dressing rooms; a full remodel with new seating, bars, box office, and upgraded restrooms will follow.
  
• The theater company is working with the city to preserve the building’s mid-century modern design while seeking Class 1 Historical Landmark status; architect Susan Secoy Jensen is leading the remodel.
  
• What to watch for: Project backers have started the “Have a Seat Campaign,” which offers supporters a chance to purchase a custom theater chair — with naming recognition and event perks — starting at $500. Reach out to Gailya Brown at gailya.brown@dezartperforms.org for more information.

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TODAY’S FEATURED EVENTS

Desert Community College District Board
9:30 a.m. | Palm Desert
For the convenience of the public, the live stream may be accessed College of the Desert YouTube channel here. Find the agenda here.

Art Museum Free Admission
5 p.m. | Palm Springs Art Museum 
From 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., enjoy free admission to galleries and exhibitions, and explore the collection at your own pace. 

Know Your Rights: First Amendment & Peaceful Protests
5 p.m. | PSPD Training Center
Learn about the standards, expectations, and protocols for organizing and participating in peaceful protests. Whether you’re an activist, student, organizer, or simply interested in knowing your rights, this class is for you.

VillageFest
7 p.m. | Downtown Palm Springs  
The street fair features art, entertainment, shopping, and food. Now operating under new Summer hours until September.

Dave Tull Quartet
7 p.m. | Agua Caliente Casino Palm Springs
Renowned as one of the world’s finest jazz drummers, Dave Tull and his jazz quartet take to the Cascade Lounge. ($15)

View all events here

SAVE THE DATE

• Safe in the Streets mixer and safety talk Friday at 5 p.m.
  
• The Big Gay BBQ on Saturday and Sunday starting at 3 p.m.
  
• Second Annual “She Is” Women’s Conference on Saturday at Mizell Center.
  
• “No Kings” rally on Saturday at Downtown Park starting at 6 p.m.
  
• Juneteenth Freedom Weekend from June 19 through 21. 
  
• Palm Springs AI & Creativity Expo on June 23 at the convention center.
  
• 2025 All American 4th of July Weekend July 3-5 in Palm Springs.
  
• Glenn Soukesian (aka Colton Ford) Celebration of Life on July 5. 

Submit your event here

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AND FINALLY …

After more than three decades of baring it all, Desert Sun Resort permanently closed its doors earlier this year, leaving the city without one if its most transparent hospitality experiences.

Driving the news: The clothing-optional resort announced its closure on its website. Before that website closed as well, the owners noted that they were issuing refunds to guests who made deposits for future reservations.

Looking back: The nine-acre property, which began as Desert Shadows Inn in 1992 with just 11 rooms, had grown into a full-service destination where the dress code was refreshingly simple.

But wait: One familiar feature of the resort that put the city on the map with comedians and columnists alike is still standing — The Lee R. Baxandall Bridge, named after the founder of the Naturist Society and affectionately known as both the “Naked Bridge” and “Bridge of Thighs” by locals.

• Designed by architect Chris Mills — a former Palm Springs City Council member — the bridge connected the resort with condominiums across North Indian Canyon Drive and served to maintain both the guests’ privacy and the public’s peace of mind.

Why it matters: According to an article in Planet Nude, the closure leaves the naturist community somewhat exposed, with Glen Eden Sun Club in Corona now standing as the lone American Association for Nude Recreation-affiliated resort in Southern California.

Details: Desert Sun Resort had been under contract for roughly $7 million in October 2023, but negotiations fell through due to complications with property easements — proving that even in the naturist world, the devil is in the details. 

• The property, which did eventually sell at an undisclosed price, has since been rebranded as Casa Palma, a boutique hotel where guests are now decidedly and deliberately clothed — a rather dramatic wardrobe change from its previous incarnation.