April 28 Daily Briefing: Uptick in some tax revenue, what vacation rental hotline data says, and more

Happy Monday, everyone, where we’ve got your weekly road construction updates! Along Highway 111, Caltrans is conducting nighttime striping through Friday, from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m., with no lane closures planned. In South Palm Springs, crews are removing the center median on South Palm Canyon Drive north of Sunny Dunes Road. Expect to find the inside lanes closed from south of Camino Parocela to the Tahquitz Creek bridge Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with no left turns allowed onto Sunny Dunes. Also, the western sidewalk on the bridge will remain closed. More information on that project is available here.

🎶 Setting the mood:  “Hey Nineteen” by Steely Dan

LEADING OFF

Measure J sales tax shows modest growth; budget plans outlined

Palm Springs’ Measure J sales tax collections have increased by 1.5% year-to-date, reaching $11.7 million compared to $11.5 million in the same period last year. The city appears on track to meet its annual target of $25 million in revenue from the voter-approved one-cent sales tax.

Driving the news: Finance Director Kristopher Mooney presented these figures at the April 17 Measure J Oversight Commission meeting while outlining the proposed budget for fiscal years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027.

• Mooney has projected conservative growth of 1.5% annually for the upcoming two-year budget cycle, with expected revenues of $21.8 million for 2025-2026 and $22.1 million for 2026-2027.

The background: Measure J, approved by voters in 2011, primarily funds infrastructure projects while setting aside money for community-submitted initiatives.

By the numbers: The proposed budget maintains significant infrastructure investments across the city, including:

• $9 million annually for street repairs through at least 2027
• $650,000 for design services to renovate the city swim center
• $7 million for swim center construction spread across two fiscal years
• $3.5 million over two years to replace outdated pedestrian crosswalk systems

What’s next: The Commission will meet on May 15 and could formally approve and recommend the Measure J budget to the Palm Springs City Council, which must adopt the city budget by June 30.

Worth noting: The $1 million annual allocation for community-initiated projects continues, though new projects will await future funding cycles as the current $6 million budget (plus $1.2 million in overages) has already been allocated.

Dive deeper with our complete story

IN OTHER NEWS

🏆 Representatives of The Palm Springs International Film Festival said last week that the date of its awards event is being moved back one day to Saturday, Jan. 3. It had been scheduled for Friday, Jan. 2. [Deadline]

🧑‍🏫 As the hunt for a new school superintendent heats up, PSUSD plans to host the first of five community meetings this evening. [Desert Sun via Yahoo News]

🎤 Palm Springs Mayor Ron deHarte discussed recent achievements, addressed challenges, and shared his vision for the future during an open forum Saturday at the convention center. [NBC Palm Springs]

---

TODAY’S FEATURED EVENTS

Mahjong Monday
1 p.m. | Play Lounge and Cafe
Come play the American version of Mahjong with others. Play Lounge has two mats and sets, but feel free to bring your own. 

Alzheimer’s/Dementia Caregiver Support Group
2:30 p.m. | Mizell Senior Center
This weekly support group offers a safe, confidential, supportive environment for individuals caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s Disease or Dementia.

California Community of Men’s Monday Coffee
5 p.m. | Play Lounge & Café
Join the group for coffee, chat, and chew! No RSVPs necessary.

Parks and Recreation Commission
5:30 p.m. | City Hall
The commission advises City Council on everything related to the planning and monitoring of the city’s 11 parks and rec services and facilities. 

See all events

SAVE THE DATE

• Forging Forward – Community Convening at the Cultural Center on Tuesday.
  
• Keisha D Benefit Concert at one eleven bar on Wednesday.
  
• “A Song For You” Carpenters Tribute at Agua Caliente Palm Springs on Wednesday. ($23)
  
• Palm Springs Hot Rodeo starting on Thursday.
  
• Retro Palm Springs – A Nostalgic Fan Convention at Palm Springs Convention Center starting Saturday. ($28)
  
• Desert Winds Freedom Band presents “Pop, Rock, and Swing” at Jewish Community Center on Sunday. ($30)
  
• 2025 Arthur Lyons Film Noir Festival starting May 8. ($17)
  
• Desert Images photography exhibition at Impell Gallery on May 10. 
  
• CommUNITY in Recovery – Sunny Dunes Clubhouse 3rd Annual Spring Gala at the Palm Springs Convention Center on May 18. ($150).
  
• “Veils: A Requiem For Trayvon” film screeningat the Cultural Center on May 23. ($18)
  
  Submit your event

---

AND FINALLY …

The Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival (AKA “Coachella”) has come and gone for another year, and with it went the exuberant throngs of music-loving partiers who pack some of the 2,700 vacation rentals in the city. Did they leave behind angry neighbors and trashed property, like some social media posts would have you believe? Not exactly, if you look closely at one source of data.

At issue: This time of year, there’s always heightened awareness that Palm Springs is a destination for people looking to kick back, soak up the sun, and sip a few beverages at the pool. The buzz is that some of these people party a little too hard, making life miserable for those who live near active rentals.

Yes, but: While it’s true the city’s vacation rental hotline receives an uptick of reports in April, data shows Coachella weekends are not any worse than others. The uptick is seen every year during the most popular months for short-term visitors: March through May.

By the numbers: Weekly vacation rental hotline reports posted online by the city show that this year, there were 33 total complaints reported during the two weeks that included Coachella weekends, with three citations issued (mostly for loud noise). In 2024, there were 31 reports during the weeks that the music festival occurred, with six citations issued (also mostly for noise).

• While your personal experience may be different, the reports show that compliance officers—who typically arrive on the scene within moments—typically found nothing happening or that the home in question was occupied by the owner. (In those cases, the disturbance report is turned over to police.)

Zoom in: So far this month, 46 reports have been investigated, and four citations have been issued. Last April, 60 reports were investigated, and eight citations were issued. 

• If history repeats itself, Memorial Day Weekend might be rowdier than any Coachella weekend. Last year, 51 hotline reports and eight citations were issued in May. Two dozen of those reports and five of the citations were issued on the holiday weekend.