Desert Recreation District Board to consider removing president amid financial questions

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) - The Desert Recreation District is facing growing questions about its finances and leadership as a special board meeting is scheduled for Friday to consider removing board President Giovanna Healy.

The meeting comes amid a public dispute between Healy and General Manager Dr. Gabriel Martin over the district’s financial transparency and how public money is being spent.

Healy has said she has struggled to get answers about the district’s finances and has had to push for more information. Martin has disputed her account, saying information has not been withheld from her.

The controversy comes as the district is asking voters to consider Measure P on the November 3 ballot. The proposal would establish an annual property tax of five cents per square foot of building space to help fund recreation programs, maintain facilities and address rising operating costs.

District officials have warned that without additional funding, services and jobs could be affected. However, critics have questioned whether the district should address its spending and organizational structure before asking taxpayers for more money.

The district’s staffing and payroll have increased in recent years. The Desert Recreation District grew from 343 employees in 2021 to 482 in 2024, while payroll wages rose from approximately $7 million in 2022 to more than $9 million in 2024. General fund support also increased from about $583,000 to more than $4.1 million over a three-year period.

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