DESERT HOT SPRINGS

DOOMED?

Max Liebermann

Publisher

760-288-1317 760-671-4309 Linda Moore

Operation Director

760-288-3500 Leslie Andrews

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Richard Spendiff

BY LESLIE ANDREWS Writer

Vicki Lawson

Crime Reporter

Cathy Jardine

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Ken Dow

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Pat Krause

Photographer Jim Fox Distribution

760-989-0882

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Desert Local News Corporation

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Palm Springs, CA. 92264

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DESERT HOT SPRINGS, CA- The city of Desert Hot Springs has a year and a half to generate more income if they wish to keep the current level of police and public safety services that it has now. Reports and rumors of possible disincorporation by the year 2010 have surfaced all around the city and Desert Local News gets to the bottom of this whole matter. "Disincorporation is not even on the table. And no, it is not doomsday,? said Councilman Karl Baker, Junior. "We need to extend our taxes to maintain the level of services that we have.? Of city expenditures, approximately $4 million goes towards funding public safety. And voters back in 2000 voted for a utility tax of 5% and a parcel tax of $122 per year to help spare the police department from cutbacks. However, the taxes are scheduled to sunset in 2009 and something has to be done in order to keep the flow of income going. "The city has to go back to the voters to extend those tax measures,? said City Manager Rick Daniels. "If they fail, it will cut the police department down to a third. It is already inadequately funded.? Daniels explains further how the public needs to be informed properly and be educated about the budget. At this point in time, the city is not at risk of being insolvent, as Daniels explained in detail. "We are about to add four new officers, $44 million of capital improvements, street repairs, park improvements, police department improvements, an emergency plan and traffic signals,? he added, while explaining the upcoming budget that is scheduled to be talked about at a future council meeting. With the new budget, Daniels explains how the city will be able to bring in more money than it will be spending this coming fiscal year. "The city has been spending from its reserve fund and now we've been reduced to $2.2 million. You can get away with that for one

Free Estimates By Jim

year,? he explained. "We will not deficit spend. We need to search for new revenues.? One idea suggested by Daniels was to start penalizing false alarms and as was discussed during the last city council meeting, to begin penalizing street peddlers who sell edible goods like fruit or icecream. He explained that they need to acquire business licenses and be subject to health and safety codes before they could conduct any form of business in Desert Hot Springs. Baker further explained the new budget will be balanced and the city will still have a reserve. Both he and Daniels put to rest any worries that the city will be forced to let go of their police department and contract with the county Sheriff's Department once again. "The Sheriff's Department has raised their rates. We're getting as good a deal with our own force,? Baker explained. "If we disincorporate, we will still be in charge of our debts, and they will be placed on our property taxes.? In other words, disincorpora- tion is not the easy way out. Mayor Pro Tem Scott Matas refuses to see that ever happen. "That's the last thing we ever want to do,? he said. "We're about to attract large retailers to us very soon. It will all be better for all of us.? As for the parcel tax, which will be going before the voters again very soon, Matas would like to see it be extended as well. "Next year will be very important for us,? he concluded. Councilman Russell Betts summed it up by saying, "The city will not cease to exist. Like every other city, in difficult economic times, we have challenges. Planning for the disincorporation of the city is not one of them. Yes, we need retail at the I-10, we will need to continue the recent belt-tightening but for the first year and in many years, we're walking into a balanced budget and our credit rating is good. It's way too early to give up on any efforts to fix this city.?

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