Palm Springs Financial Skeleton Prospects
Palm Springs, California. Palm Springs government is an autocratic institution and particularly so at the city council level. Significant decisions are made in private, behind closed doors, and then followed by pro forma consideration during council meetings. The recent decision to approve a 1% sales tax hike ballot measure is one example. Another is the ongoing behind-the-scenes discussions with developer John Wessman. These are significant issues worthy of public hearings in any normal democratic setting, but not in Palm Springs! A real surprise is that neither issue was placed on the council's consent calendar where such items are often passed with little notice. These concerns speak to credibility and trust - two areas which the council needs to address. Until steps are taken that prove them worthy of credibility and trust, their actions will continually remain suspect.
There are a number of city commissions in Palm Springs charged with initiating and hearing issues of community concern and interest. However, there is no city commission charged with the most important oversight responsibility. Palm Springs does not have a citizen Budget and Finance review commission. There is no formal citizen involvement in local city finances. That area of responsibility is shared by the city manager and city council members. There's a good reason why citizens are frozen out of financial oversight duties. Money represents power and its use, sometimes hidden or camouflaged, is probably the most significant reason politicians run for office. The power to handle the public purse - and use it - is one few politicians willingly share or surrender. And that's why the city council has shown no interest in creating a citizen Budget and Finance review commission. No public official is keen on seeing financial skeletons removed from their hidden resting places and that's what often occurs when there's an independent watchdog group involved.
The reported objective of the new 1% sales tax hike ballot measure is to raise $41 million to be spent on the privately owned Desert Fashion Plaza and for other civic improvements. The "other civic improvements" language was added in order to allow the measure to qualify for a simple majority-vote-to-pass requirement. However, the $41 million actually represents a city slush fund from which no firm amounts have been allocated. It's understood the bulk of the money will be spent on the fashion plaza and leftover funds, if any, will be used for improvements. If the ballot measure passes the city council will decide how the money will be divvied up and it's probable such decisions will be made in private and behind closed doors.
With the possibility of $41 million in new funds on the horizon it seems clear Palm Springs needs a citizen Budget and Finance commission. Without an independent watchdog group keeping an eye on expenditures there's little chance the community will be kept abreast of how funds are being managed. This amount of money should not be left for council members to handle in private and behind closed doors. In this election season one of the questions that should be asked of local candidates is whether they support creation of a citizen finance review commission. Answers may be one of the best indications of their level of interest in truly serving the interests of the electorate.
The Palm Springs community stands to benefit from a fully developed Desert Fashion Plaza site. Whether public funds should play a part in that effort has become a public issue because of the proposed sales tax hike. Each voter will need to make that decision based on her or his personal perceptions of what's best for themselves and our community. They may also wish to consider what financial usage controls will accompany passage of a sales tax hike. Will the city council create a strong citizen Budget and Finance review commission with responsibilities that include oversight of the sales tax funds usage? If so then a major concern will have been addressed and the measure should receive serious voter consideration.
Bond Shands
Palm Springs
There are a number of city commissions in Palm Springs charged with initiating and hearing issues of community concern and interest. However, there is no city commission charged with the most important oversight responsibility. Palm Springs does not have a citizen Budget and Finance review commission. There is no formal citizen involvement in local city finances. That area of responsibility is shared by the city manager and city council members. There's a good reason why citizens are frozen out of financial oversight duties. Money represents power and its use, sometimes hidden or camouflaged, is probably the most significant reason politicians run for office. The power to handle the public purse - and use it - is one few politicians willingly share or surrender. And that's why the city council has shown no interest in creating a citizen Budget and Finance review commission. No public official is keen on seeing financial skeletons removed from their hidden resting places and that's what often occurs when there's an independent watchdog group involved.
The reported objective of the new 1% sales tax hike ballot measure is to raise $41 million to be spent on the privately owned Desert Fashion Plaza and for other civic improvements. The "other civic improvements" language was added in order to allow the measure to qualify for a simple majority-vote-to-pass requirement. However, the $41 million actually represents a city slush fund from which no firm amounts have been allocated. It's understood the bulk of the money will be spent on the fashion plaza and leftover funds, if any, will be used for improvements. If the ballot measure passes the city council will decide how the money will be divvied up and it's probable such decisions will be made in private and behind closed doors.
With the possibility of $41 million in new funds on the horizon it seems clear Palm Springs needs a citizen Budget and Finance commission. Without an independent watchdog group keeping an eye on expenditures there's little chance the community will be kept abreast of how funds are being managed. This amount of money should not be left for council members to handle in private and behind closed doors. In this election season one of the questions that should be asked of local candidates is whether they support creation of a citizen finance review commission. Answers may be one of the best indications of their level of interest in truly serving the interests of the electorate.
The Palm Springs community stands to benefit from a fully developed Desert Fashion Plaza site. Whether public funds should play a part in that effort has become a public issue because of the proposed sales tax hike. Each voter will need to make that decision based on her or his personal perceptions of what's best for themselves and our community. They may also wish to consider what financial usage controls will accompany passage of a sales tax hike. Will the city council create a strong citizen Budget and Finance review commission with responsibilities that include oversight of the sales tax funds usage? If so then a major concern will have been addressed and the measure should receive serious voter consideration.
Bond Shands
Palm Springs
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Posted by Desert Observer at 7/24/2011 3:57 PM 
Categories: Opinion, City Council
Tags: Desert Fashion Plaza Palm Springs City Council Palm Springs 1 Sales Tax Hike
Categories: Opinion, City Council
Tags: Desert Fashion Plaza Palm Springs City Council Palm Springs 1 Sales Tax Hike
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