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Wednesday, June 23 | ☀️ 103°/76°
Happy Wednesday! The Palm Springs Fire Department is reminding everyone — and yes, we mean everyone, including that one uncle visiting from Minnesota who thinks 3 p.m. in August is prime hiking weather — to avoid the trails during peak afternoon heat, stay hydrated, and never head out alone. As locals, we know the drill, but summer always brings a fresh crop of well-meaning visitors who underestimate just how serious desert heat can be, so consider this your friendly nudge to share the word. As the department puts it: "No hike is worth risking your life."
🎶 Setting the mood: "Slow" by GROUPLOVE
Leading Off
Dog parks, roads, and other project invoices are coming due, leading to a "small deficit," according to Palm Springs Director of Finance and Treasurer Kristopher Mooney.
Palm Springs sales tax revenues are climbing, but a $1M infrastructure deficit looms anyway
Palm Springs is collecting sales tax at a faster clip than last year, but a wave of capital project invoices is pushing the city's voter-approved Measure J infrastructure fund toward a roughly $1 million shortfall by June 30.
Driving the news: Director of Finance and Treasurer Kristopher Mooney presented the May budget update to the Measure J Oversight Commission last week, reporting $16.9 million in sales tax revenue collected year to date — running 4% to 5% ahead of last year — with two months of collections still remaining in the fiscal year.
Measure J receives 1% point of the roughly 9% to 9.25% sales tax charged on most purchases in the city.
By the numbers: The fund's largest expenditures so far this fiscal year include approximately $8.89 million for the city's annual street paving contract and $4.1 million for vehicle purchases and deferred maintenance, which included an $874,000 fire pumper apparatus.
The fund also covered about $1.4 million for new recreational courts, $392,000 in convention center design work — an expense Mooney said will be reimbursed through future bond proceeds — and $360,000 in transfers, including $250,000 tied to a prior loan to the Public Arts Commission.
What's next: Mooney said the fund will begin drawing into the fiscal year 2027 budget as additional invoices from previously approved projects continue to arrive in the coming months.
The engineering department recently received approval for a new round of street resurfacing expected to total just over $9 million, using a combination of funding sources, with the work slated to be carried out over the next fiscal year.
Briefly
🏘️ What to watch for at tonight’s City Council meeting
The Palm Springs City Council meets tonight, leading the agenda is a first reading of an ordinance updating the city's short-term rental regulations to comply with California's Short Term Rental Facilitator Act of 2025.
The council will also vote on a continuation budget to fund city operations as the new fiscal year begins July 1, and consider a five-year food and beverage management contract with OVG Hospitality at the Convention Center. Under that deal, the city would receive a commission of 7.5% on gross receipts and 15% on net profit. A discussion on options for extreme weather sheltering and coordination with the Palm Springs Animal Shelter to care for pets belonging to unhoused residents will also take place, though no final action is expected on that item.
A MESSAGE FROM
CITY OF PALM SPRINGS
Celebrate America's 250th Birthday at the Palm Springs All-American Fourth of July Celebration! Enjoy three days of family fun, including VillageFest activities, a Dive-In Movie Night, a July 4 Pool Party, live music, baseball, and the Palm Springs Fireworks Spectacular. Most activities are free and open to all.
📆 Featured Events
ShortFest
Multiple times | Festival Theaters
The Palm Springs International ShortFest is a globally recognized, award-qualifying short film festival designated by AMPAS, BAFTA, BIFA, and the Goya Awards. Multiple short films are screened in curated programs centered around a theme. ($20)
Active CV Co. Weekly Run
6:45 a.m. | 750 N Palm Canyon Dr
A beginner-friendly weekly group run, walk, or hike meeting every Wednesday. Choose a 5K run option or a 2-mile walk option.
Palm Springs Sunshine Sisters Breakfast
8 a.m. | Billy Reed’s
Join Palm Springs Sunshine Sisters for breakfast and conversation.
Chinese Mah Jong Open Play
2 p.m. | Mizell Center
Practice your skills and play with others at this free weekly open play session, no Mizell Center membership required. Meets every Wednesday 2–4 p.m. in the dining room; players are encouraged to bring their own sets as supplies are limited.
Palm Springs Poetry Club
4 p.m. | 100 S. Palm Canyon Dr.
A monthly poetry workshop where participants submit original work written on a given theme — June's theme is loneliness — and bring copies for group critique. The group also examines poems by well-known poets on the same theme.
Palm Springs Brew Crew
4:30 p.m. | Las Palmas Brewery
A casual, welcoming social meetup for locals and summer residents to grab a pint and meet new people at Las Palmas Brewery. RSVP requested so the venue can plan for space and staffing.
Palm Springs City Council
5:30 p.m. | City Hall
The City of Palm Springs welcomes public comment on matters before the City Council.
Palm Springs Power baseball game
7 p.m. | Palm Springs Stadium
Palm Springs Power Baseball hosts home games all summer with general admission seating available. Wednesday night specials include $6 margaritas; free admission for active military, police, and fire with ID. ($10)
📌 Save the Date
Palm Springs Food Truck Festival on Saturday at Sunrise Park
City of Palm Springs All-American Fourth of July Celebration July 2 through 4
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🚠 And Finally …
Palm Springs Mayor Naomi Soto addresses the audience Tuesday morning at the Palm Springs Convention Center.
The PS/NExT Summit 26 brought together hundreds of residents, business owners, educators, and civic leaders at the Palm Springs Convention Center on Monday and Tuesday for panels, keynotes, and hands-on workshops across six tracks with more than 50 speakers.
Driving the news: The summit — billed as New Experiences in Technology — was an evolution of last year's Palm Springs AI & Creativity Expo, expanded in 2026 to be bigger, broader, and more immersive.
Highlights included the Vibe-a-thon, in which selected teams built working AI tools live for local businesses and office hours for business owners.
What they're saying: Eisenhower Health Chief Medical Officer Dr. Eric Leroux reframed one of AI's most persistent questions during his Day 2 keynote Tuesday morning: "The question isn't when will AI replace doctors, it's how can it elevate us."
Also notable: Palm Springs Mayor Naomi Soto urged attendees not to sit on the sidelines.
"We do not have to be passive consumers," she said. "Technology should evolve based on what we want, what we need, not the other way around."
In Case You Missed It
Recently published stories
🤯 Kendall can’t believe next week we’re already in July?!
🥶 Mark thinks the thermostat at the Palm Springs Convention Center was set at 55° yesterday!
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