Why I'm Running
Palm Springs is a city of visionaries, innovators, and doers. With former Mayor Ron deHarte leading the way, WE CAN build a community that thrives, where every neighborhood feels heard, every business finds opportunity, and every resident has a voice in shaping our future. Our city is growing and evolving.
We Can
As Mayor, Ron deHarte issued a bold call to action on Palm Springs' fiscal future.
In response to growing public concern over the city’s mounting fiscal challenges, Palm Springs Mayor Ron deHarte released a comprehensive Residents' Guide to the City Budget. This critical document served as a transparent, plain-language overview that explains how the city budget works, what’s causing the shortfall, and outlines urgent steps the City Council must take to secure long-term fiscal stability.
The guide, developed by Ron during the 2026/2027 budget planning process, lays out the facts in accessible terms: Palm Springs faces a structural deficit, with expenses outpacing revenues. With an anticipated economic downturn, stagnating revenue, and escalating employee costs, Ron asserted that the Council must unite and demonstrate decisive leadership. This requires a two-pronged approach: reining in spending while protecting essential services and strategically investing in economic growth, the only sustainable path to increasing revenue without burdening taxpayers.
Since taking office as Mayor, Ron has called for putting the brakes on and focusing on priorities. His proactive stance is reinforced by a Bloomberg Businessweek article on June 5, which cited a forecast from Tourism Economics indicating a widespread decline in foreign visitor spending across major American cities. While 18 of the top 20 cities are projected to decline, Riverside (a gateway to Palm Springs and Joshua Tree National Park) is expected to drop by 7%. As travelers choose alternative destinations, the American economy will lose $12.5 billion this year, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council.
Palm Springs’ current budget optimistically assumes steady tourism. Ron acknowledges this disparity, stating, "International travel is down, and we face a broadly uncertain economy. Our current budget’s optimism on tourism, therefore, warrants careful consideration."
“This is not a crisis — yet,” said Ron. “But we cannot plug long-term holes with short-term fixes. It’s time for real leadership and decisive action.”
The guide presents a clear, two-part solution championed by Ron:
1. Tighten the belt: This involves prudent measures such as prioritizing new capital spending and implementing smart, responsible reductions to curb the growth of city expenses.
2. Grow the economy: This vital component emphasizes increased investment in local small business support, aggressive business retention and attraction strategies, and streamlining processes to make it easier to start and expand businesses within Palm Springs.
Crucially, the guide underscores that economic development is the area that demands increased investment, not less. “We cannot cut our way to prosperity,” Ron affirmed. “The most effective way to fund public services long-term is to grow the local economy in ways that create jobs and expand the tax base — without raising tax rates.”
Ron also cautioned against relying on unsustainable tactics like drawing down reserves or shifting costs to restricted funds, which he described as “short-sighted and risky.”
The Residents' Guide to the City Budget was made available to the public. Its release is a testament to Mayor deHarte's commitment to transparency and his belief that an informed citizenry is essential for shaping Palm Springs' prosperous future.
Ron encourages all residents to review the guide and engage in this critical conversation.
📎 Download the full Resident Budget Guide here
"WE CAN Move Palm Springs, Forward!"
Stronger Together. Bolder Than Ever. Focused on the Future.
