Last night’s meeting of the Twentynine Palms City Council resulted in some tough decisions in light of the COVID-19 economic reality. Reporter Heather Clisby has the details…
The Twentynine Palms City Council gathered last night to hear presentations from the U.S. Census and the County Fire Department before facing necessary budget changes in light of COVID-19.
Doug Hassett from the U.S. Census presented an updated status on census participation. Thus far, California is at a 59.8 percent self-response rate and Twentynine Palms is at 48.6 percent. Due to COVID-19 inhibiting outreach, many of the response deadline dates have been moved from summer to fall.
San Bernardino County Fire Chief Dan Munsey offered a detailed review of what a repeal of FP5—the annual $157 parcel fee—could mean for the City’s fire protection. The FP5 tax brought in $9.5 million last fiscal year for the South Desert region that includes the Morongo Basin. Munsey stated that a repeal of FP5 could result in shuttered fire stations, increased emergency response times and staff reductions.
The council approved the use of community development block grant funding so the city can then allocate the $102,000 to local food banks stretched thin by the COVID-19 economic crisis.
And facing a loss of TOT (bed tax) and sales tax revenue due to the shutdown, the council reviewed proposed changes to budgets for fiscal year 2020-2021. After some discussion, council members resolved to give step raises only (no merit and no cost-of-living) to city employees through the end of June. In July, all pay raises will be frozen tentatively for 12 months. The council will re-visit the issue come September.
The council voted not to cancel but instead, officially postpone the city’s summer day camps until the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention removes restrictions on group gatherings.
The council voted to temporarily stop adding to the city’s post-retiree benefits trust fund though this will not affect any current retiree or their benefits.
