Coachella accepting applications to fill city council vacancy

COACHELLA, Calif. (KESQ) - The city of Coachella is now accepting applications for residents interested in filling the vacant council seat.

During Wednesday's council meeting, councilmembers directed staff to prepare applications to be ready for Thursday. It will remain open until Tuesday, May 26, at 5 p.m.

The application is available through the City Clerk’s Office and online at https://www.coachella.org/departments/city-clerk/city-councilmember-vacancy. Completed applications must be received by the City Clerk’s Office by 5:00 p.m., Tuesday, May 26, 2026, located at 53990 Enterprise Way, Coachella or via email to cityclerk@coachella.org.

To be eligible, a candidate must be a United States citizen, at least 18 years of age, a resident of the City of Coachella and registered to vote in Coachella.

Each Councilmember is expected to attend all City Council meetings regularly scheduled at 6:00 p.m. on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month. Study Sessions and Special Meetings are generally scheduled periodically. Councilmembers also serve on a number of subcommittees, commissions and agency board. Meetings are held in the Council Chamber at City Hall, 1515 Sixth Street, Coachella. Each Councilmembers receives a nominal stipend for service.

Councilmembers will conduct in-person interviews with applicants. There was a tentative date discussed of Saturday, May 30; however, the date has not been finalized. The interview date is expected to be set at the May 28 council meeting. The city has until June 10 to fill the empty council seat.

The appointee would fill the position until the November election.

For additional information, please contact the Deputy City Clerk Delia Granados at cityclerk@coachella.org or (760) 398-3502, extension 102.

Coachella is seeking to fill the seat left vacant when Dr. Frank Figueroa was appointed mayor. Figueroa replaced longtime mayor Steven Hernandez, who resigned in March after pleading guilty to a conflict of interest charge. He will also fill the position until November, finishing up the remainder of Hernandez's term

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