During a special, emergency meeting yesterday, the Yucca Valley Town council approved a resolution proclaiming an emergency within the town due to COVID-19. The resolution makes the town eligible for emergency aid from the state, county, and federal governments. The discussion on COVID-19 continued on into the regular meeting, as the council heard from Town Manager Curtis Yakimow, County Fire Battalion Chief Scott Tuttle, and Sheriff’s captain Lucas Niles, as they all explained how the town staff and first responders are protecting themselves and the public from the spread of the virus. Managing editor Tami Roleff says the pandemic could affect not only the health and safety of residents, but it could have quite a financial impact on the town’s revenues…
Town Manager Curtis Yakimow said the financial impact on town revenues will be significant, due to a reduction in sales tax revenues, transient occupancy taxes, and other revenues.
“If you annualize that, if things don’t bounce back immediately, if it takes awhile to ramp up, next year we would be looking at anywhere from a $1 million to $2-$2 ½ million hit to our general fund.”
Despite the potential significant loss of revenue, Yakimow said the town’s reserve balance and conservative budget would help the town.
“The town financially is very secure and we are able to withstand these types of impacts. It doesn’t mean it won’t be painful; they will be painful if this occurs. But for the most part we’ll be able to continue to deliver services and programs.”
The Yucca Valley Town Council was reassured by the Yakimow, Tuttle, and Niles that the COVID-19 virus will not have an impact on service or staffing levels in the town. All town employees are considered essential, and will continue working; firefighters and deputies are taking precautions to protect themselves against contracting the virus, but staffing levels have not changed.
In other business, County Fire Chief Dan Munsey spoke about communication, collaboration, and community, as well as how firefighters are protecting themselves from potential exposure to the coronavirus. Firefighters will be dressed in protective gear from Tivex suits to gloves and eye/face shields, when they arrive at a resident’s home for medical help.
The council recognized outgoing Deputy Chief Trevis Newport for his service as captain of the Morongo Basin Sheriff’s Station.
And the council heard a presentation from the town’s public works department about the jobs the workers in the streets, park, and facilities departments perform.
The council continued to its next meeting a report on broadband services, and received a report on legislative priorities without comment.
