Budget cuts threaten Palm Springs city services
Twenty-two city services could be facing thousands of dollars of cuts in the near future.
The Buzz Trolly, homeless services and the animal shelter; are some of the many services the city is considering cutting funding for if Measure D does not pass. The city says it’s a difficult decision it might have to face.
The measure would increase the city’s sales tax by a half-cent in order to continue funding some of these vital city services.
“Compared to what people were paying last year before the state tax expired, it’s $2.50 Cents more a month, if we did a parcel tax like the other cities do, it would be well over $100,” Palm Springs Councilman Geoff Kors said.
Kors said the cuts would be required to make up a funding loss from the state and to cover pension costs from CalPers. He says it’s a reality the city faces, which is why he made the list public.
“It’s a real challenge and that’s why we want the public input and we want the public to know this is the choice before them and we want them to be educated,” Kors said. “If they decide they don’t want the half-cent sales tax that’s fine but, then we’re going to have to do some of these cuts.”
Of the more than $9 million in cuts, $615,000 will be cut from homeless services, something Kors says is troubling.
“We have Well in the Desert open, people are getting showers and food to get 130 people housed who are homeless is incredible and we need to build upon that,” Kors said.
Residents we spoke to said the list is concerning.
“There’s too much cut already and every time we have a half-cent, it’s disappointing the results we don’t get what they promise,” said Tom Tennant, Palm Springs resident
Many people specifically worry about the Palm Springs Animal Shelter becoming a county shelter.
“If it were to go back to the county it would become a kill shelter, which is the opposite way I want to see our valley go,” said Jeffrey Knoll Miller, Palm Springs resident.
One thing not being cut is funding for public safety.
In fact, the city is hoping to increase the number of police officers and paramedic crews in the city.
“Our first priority is the health and well-being of our residents, our new downtown is opening and it’s going to be wonderful but we need officers committed to downtown,” Kors said.
The city said the list is not final, its asking for the public’s input at the next City Council meeting on September 26.
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