Voters head to Coachella Valley polls to decide issues, contests

Palm Springs residents will decide today whether to levy a tax on medical marijuana sales, and also decide whether to re-elect two City Council members.

Measure B would add the “cannabis and marijuana tax” to the municipal code, imposing a tax on “collectives dispensing cannabis or marijuana” in the city. “Collectives” are defined as “any collective, cooperative or business that engages in cultivating, dispensing or processing of cannabis or marijuana,” according to City Attorney Doug Holland.

The measure would impose a maximum tax of 15 cents for each dollar, with revenues being used to fund city services such as law enforcement and fire and emergency medical services.

Meanwhile, City Council members Ginny Foat and Chris Mills are running for re-election, with land-use consultant Judy Evans Deertrack and businessman Jeffrey Nichols looking to unseat them.

In Desert Hot Springs, residents will vote for mayor, choosing between incumbent Mayor Yvonne Parks, Councilman Adam Sanchez and financial consultant John-Paul Valdez. Four candidates are also vying for two council seats — incumbents Scott Matas and Jan Pye, along with retired corporate manager Joe McKee and longtime resident Robert Bentley.

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Voters can find more information on polling locations at http://www.voteinfo.net.