About Us
7/15/2026
Free Money for the Rich?
Believe It or Not, Palm Springs is Handing Out Cash!
I had to rub my eyes and read this twice. The City of Palm Springs is officially giving away $100,000 in free money, and here is the kicker: there are absolutely no income limits.
Yes, you read that right. If you have the disposable income to casually drop $200 or $300 on a dinner or shopping spree, the city will happily hand you an extra $100 or $150 in pure bonus cash. It’s a 50% match on the house! The "Love Local Palm Springs" summer bonus program is back, offering a flat 50% match when you buy a $100, $200, or $300 digital gift card.
It sounds entirely absurd to subsidize those who already have the cash to spare, making it a true "too good to be true" moment, especially since there isn't a single shred of data showing this actually generates new spending. The theory is that the gift card promotes purchasing during a slow sales period in the summer.
Let's be real: if you eat out all the time, you’re not changing your habits. You’re just buying the same dinner and drinks you always do, using the city's money, and saying, "Thanks for the free round, Palm Springs!" It is absurd public policy, but if the city is giving away free cash with zero justification or qualifications, you might as well get your share of the pie before it runs out.
Go grab your free windfall at LoveLocalPS.com before the bonus funds expire on October 31, 2026.
Rest assured, I voted against this program.
Here’s the small print: There is a $16 fee on a $300 card, a $11 fee on a $200 card, and a $6 fee on a $100 card. Your original gift card purchase never expires; however, a $3.00 fee will be deducted monthly starting on the 1st day after 12 consecutive months without card usage.
New Downtown Fire Station Gets the Green Light
On June 10, City Council approved a $4 million purchase agreement for land at the corner of Andreas Road and North Indian Canyon Drive, securing the site for a new, downtown Fire Station No. 1. While the location didn’t gain traction when I first proposed it in 2025, the outlook changed early evening on February 23. Mayor Soto and the city manager walked the property with me, and once they saw the site in person, its potential became clear.
The upgrade is desperately needed. The current station is 70 years old and physically cannot accommodate the modern, articulated ladder trucks required to service downtown’s taller, newer buildings.
This move is actually a massive win for both local history buffs and downtown drivers. The land acquisition includes part of the historic Town and Country Center, which allows the city to preserve architecturally significant buildings designed by legendary architects Paul R. Williams and A. Quincy Jones.
Even better? By utilizing this new site, the plan saves 63 public parking spaces at the original station's location, 261 N Indian Canyon Dr, that would have been wiped out under previous proposals. The new, state-of-the-art facility will be built to serve Palm Springs firefighters for the next 50 years.
Navigation Center Update:
Immediate Action on High-Impact Services
Last September, I joined with Councilmember Garner in reviewing our Navigation Center's operating contract. By October 22, an independent working group began overseeing the process. Led by community members Bob Smiland, Ginny Foat, Tamara Hedges, and Bryan Rogers, the group delivered a rigorous evaluation of our operator, Martha's Village and Kitchen (MV), on March 30.
On May 4, the group's findings were presented to the city manager. There are "no apparent violations" of the current contract, and Martha's Village is successfully fulfilling its role as the operator for the Access Center, Early Entry Facility, and Navigation Center. However, the takeaway is clear: MV’s contract is obsolete and needs a complete overhaul. On June 24, city staff presented the findings to the city council. Read the staff report here
While MV agreed with many of the group's 28 recommendations, funding limitations have stalled some of the changes. See Findings Here. Many of the issues raised at the Navigation Center, such as the need for better night staffing, improved food, and stronger mental health resources, reflect systemic, nationwide gaps in social services. The review also flagged the Access Center near the airport as too small and poorly located.
While we tackle these broader issues, the City Council has already taken immediate action to protect vulnerable residents and remove barriers to shelter:
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Extended Cooling Hours: We extended Access Center hours to 10:00 PM and are analyzing the costs of keeping it open overnight during peak heat events.
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On-Site Medical Care: A program launched this February brings vital healthcare directly to unhoused residents with chronic conditions, reducing emergency room visits.
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Pet Care Partnerships: We are partnering with the Palm Springs Animal Shelter to provide veterinary checks and temporary boarding, removing a major barrier for pet owners seeking shelter.
We still have dozens of recommendations to address, and we are working closely with city staff and MV to close the remaining operational gaps.
Image: designboom
Progress on the Mayor At-Large Movement
The collective effort calling for a directly elected, at-large Mayor in Palm Springs is finally forcing action at City Hall.
Following your advocacy, the City Council established an ad hoc subcommittee on the mayoral position (composed of Councilmembers Garner and deHarte). They created a working group of six residents. The group just held its sixth meeting on July 13 to prepare for the first community meeting scheduled for 6 p.m., July 22, at the Mizell Center. Seven meetings are scheduled to gather feedback on the future of the mayoral position. See List of Meetings Here.
The working group is tasked with tackling five key mandates:
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Establish a timeline to organize and host a series of diverse, inclusive public meetings and listening sessions across the city.
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Gather public input on what type of government structure and mayoral format the voters want.
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Vet all potential governance options through a legal lens to minimize risk and ensure absolute compliance with state laws.
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Is a ballot measure the best option to achieve the community's goals, or is there a better alternative to explore?
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Inform and educate residents on their options and the legal realities before any vote, then synthesize the community's feedback into a formal presentation for the City Council.
Please plan to attend at least one of the listening sessions so your voice is heard.
The Citizens for an Elected Mayor is not affiliated with the City of Palm Springs. The citizen-driven initiative is dedicated to giving the power back to voters through the direct election for Palm Springs Mayor. Learn, endorse, and support at www.electyourmayorps.com
Ron deHarte
Palm Springs City Councilmember, District 3
27th Mayor
