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Monday, March 2 | ☀️ 72°/50°
Welcome to Monday and to March! If you were planning to swing by the Palm Springs Police Department Saturday for the Behind the Badge Open House, you may have already heard the news — the event was canceled due to unforeseen circumstances. The good news is that police and city staff are already working on finding a new date, so stay tuned.
🎶 Setting the mood: "Come Monday" by Jimmy Buffett
Leading Off
Many of the key economic drivers for the did better in the first half of the fiscal year 2025-2026 than they did in the prior fiscal year. (File photo)
City budget on track for surplus as key revenues outpace prior year
Palm Springs is projecting a nearly $7 million General Fund surplus for fiscal year 2025-26, with the city's top revenue sources outpacing last year's numbers at the halfway mark.
Driving the news: Director of Finance and Treasurer Kristopher Mooney presented the mid-year budget update to the City Council Wednesday, reporting total General Fund operating revenues of $56.3 million for the first half of the fiscal year — up $3.8 million, or 7.2%, from the same period last year.
The city's three core revenue sources — Transient Occupancy Tax, Property Tax, and Sales and Use Tax — are up a combined 11.5% from prior-year mid-year figures.
The expense side: A soft hiring freeze approved when the biennial budget was adopted is working as intended, with the city on track to meet or exceed its targeted vacancy savings of $4.2 million. All departments are projected to close the year within their adopted budgets.
Yes, but: Mooney cautioned that only 33% of the annual operating revenue budget was collected in the first half of the fiscal year, with March and April representing the city's peak tourism and tax collection period.
Utility User Tax revenue is projected to fall $700,000, or 7%, below the adopted budget by year's end, and Cannabis Tax revenue dropped 28% from the prior year's mid-year total.
What's next: Mooney cited several developments expected to boost future revenues, including a Chick-fil-A planned to open in the first half of 2027, an In-N-Out Burger targeting a late 2027 or early 2028 opening, a College of the Desert Palm Springs campus planned for 2027, and Phase 1 of the Convention Center Modernization project expected to begin in the middle of this year.
Briefly
Palm Springs police are investigating a shooting in this area that left two people dead early Saturday.
🚨 Two killed in apparent motorcycle club shooting
Two people were killed and three others wounded early Saturday after gunfire broke out at a private motorcycle club event at an industrial complex in the 19400 block of North Indian Canyon Drive in a remote section of Palm Springs.
Police responded at approximately 12:30 a.m. after multiple 911 calls reported a fight, gunshots and a victim down in a parking lot. Witnesses reported several individuals fled the scene on motorcycles after the shooting.
Details: Detectives are continuing to process the scene and interview witnesses. Anyone with information can contact Detective Gilberto Alcaraz at 760-323-8132 or [email protected], or submit anonymous tips to Coachella Valley Crime Stoppers at 760-341-STOP (7867).
🏛️ What to watch for at City Hall
Multiple Palm Springs boards will convene at City Hall this week to take up topics including a proposed housing development, historic site designations, and library funding.
The Architectural Review Committee meets tonight to consider eight single-family homes at 2700 East Alejo Road. The Historic Site Preservation Board meets Tuesday to consider designating the First Church of Christ Scientist at 605 South Riverside Drive as a Class 1 historic site, among other matters. The Library Board of Trustees meets Wednesday to receive a mid-year foundation report and discuss the library's budget and renovation updates.
Details: All meetings begin at 5:30 p.m. in the Large Conference Room at City Hall, 3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way, and are open to the public, with remote participation options available.
A MESSAGE FROM DAP HEALTH
With great pride — pun entirely intended — DAP Health and its Stonewall Medical Center step up as this beloved community event’s Platinum Sponsor. Our Revivals brand of thrift stores joins as Gold Sponsor, and Stonewall team members compete in Sunday’s legendary Bed Race & Parade.
📆 Featured Events
Sweet Jazz
10 a.m. | Rubine Red Gallery
Explore the work of Malcolm Myers and his deep love for jazz in this temporary exhibit running until the end of March.
Endeavor With Jase
3 p.m. | Demuth Park Community Center
Join a FREE, fun, low-impact aerobics workout designed for all fitness levels. This class focuses on movement, energy, and inclusivity — helping you feel stronger, healthier, and more confident in a welcoming community environment.
HangingOUT! - Men’s Monday Coffee
4:30 p.m. | Social Cafe & Play Lounge
Join the group for coffee, chat, and chew! No RSVPs necessary.
Conversational Spanish
5:30 p.m. | The Center
Join a dynamic and diverse group of people who get together to chat and strengthen their language skills. New attendees must register beforehand.
Architectural Review Committee
5:30 p.m. | City Hall
The ARC typically meets on the first and third Monday of each month to review and make recommendations on building and landscape design to the Planning Commission, City Council and City staff.
The Sound & Vision Awards
7 p.m. | Plaza Theatre
Adopt the Arts will host the Sound & Vision Awards at the historic Plaza Theatre in Palm Springs, honoring rock legends Paul Rodgers (Free, Bad Company) and Geezer Butler (Black Sabbath). ($180)
Glenn Miller Orchestra
7 p.m. | Cultural Center
These talented vocalists and musicians hail from across the United States, from Alaska to Florida and everywhere in between! An evening of swing music and nostalgia not to be missed! ($54)
📌 Save the Date
Coffee and Conversation with Pastor James Harris on Wednesday
10th Annual Cathedral City LGBT+ Days from Friday through Sunday
Fantasy Prom hosted by Desert Sparkles Fund on Saturday
The L-Fund presents: Luck be a Lady on March 14
INNERBLOOM: 2026 Annual Spring Exhibition on March 14 at Janssen Artspace
🚠 And Finally …
Crews work on the bridge reconstruction project along South Palm Canyon Drive. (File photo)
If you've driven South Palm Canyon Drive lately near Tahquitz Creek, brace yourself — things are about to shift. Literally.
Driving the news: Starting today, traffic will move onto the newly reconstructed western bridge span across the creek as crews prepare to begin work on the eastern span.
What to expect: Both northbound and southbound traffic will continue with one lane in each direction, and all turning movements remain available at South Palm Canyon Drive and East Sunny Dunes Road.
Business access on South Palm Canyon Drive remains open during the transition.
The detour: Motorists looking to avoid the area can take Belardo Road as an alternate route.
And remember: Those traveling through the construction zone should use caution, follow posted signage and pavement markings, and allow extra travel time while adjusting to the new configuration.
More information: Details are available at SouthPalmCanyonBridge.com or by calling 760-502-0072.
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