The Twentynine Palms City Council meets tonight to discuss the mayor and mayor pro-tem selection process, as well as two aspects of city finance.
Up for discussion is a review of the annual process of selecting the mayor and mayor pro-tem. Currently, councilmembers ascend to the mayor’s seat with the order of succession determined by the number of votes received in the most recent election. With the changing of an at-large community to districts, this process is being reconsidered.
Finance Director Abigail Hernandez-Conde will present a preliminary two-year Project Phoenix Funds Budget for Fiscal Year 2023-24 and 2024-25. Though council approval is not yet required, the final budget – which includes this element – must be approved by July 1, 2023. At just over $2.3M, the Project Phoenix Funds account is intended for the associated package treatment plant, store improvements, facility fixtures, and public art.
Meanwhile, the Project Phoenix Housing fund has a balance of $1.1M which is comprised of $684K from bond proceed reserves and $416K from the sale of the hotel property at Project Phoenix. These funds have not been committed to a specific project.
Hernandez-Conde and City Manager Frank Luckino will also present a preliminary Two-Year Special Funds Budget for Fiscal Year 2023-24 and 2024-25. The council will also consider approving a budget adjustment of $58,000 in the Gas Tax Fund for the acquisition of a street roller needed by Public Works.
The meeting begins at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall, 6136 Adobe Road. The event will also be livestreamed and provided on-demand via the city’s website, 29palms.org
