Message from Desert Hot Springs:

On November 7th, Desert Hot Springs residents adopted Measures B and C, the City of Desert Hot Springs’ 911, Gang/Drug Crime Prevention Measure and the Neighborhood Police Protection and Public Safety Measure, respectively.

“We take our direction from the residents of Desert Hot Springs, and are thankful to those who participated in this local election. It was an important decision for the community to make. We look forward to working with the community to maintain vital public safety services and fiscal stability,” said City Manager Chuck Maynard.

Measures B and C extends existing, voter-approved local funding that provides $5 million annually for essential public safety services, including rapid police, fire and emergency response times, police recruitment, retention and training, anti-gang and anti-drug enforcement operations, and crime investigation and prevention.

Measure B adjusts certain property tax rates, including a reduced tax rate for single-family homeowners, and extends existing locally-controlled funding to maintain public safety services.

Measure C extends the existing, voter-approved Utility Users Tax to maintain dedicated funding for public safety services and police recruitment and retention. “Despite already being some of the lowest-paid in California, every police officer in the City had taken a 22% pay cut while protecting our community, including lowering the overall violent crime rate in the past year amid state policies that continue to put offenders back on our streets. DHSPD is already understaffed for a City of our size according to national standards. Measures B and C will help address recruiting, training, and retaining officers,” said Chief of Police Dale Mondary.

Measures B and C continue to require annual independent financial audits and fiscal oversight, and by law, can only be spent on local public safety services.

The City of Desert Hot Springs is dedicated to maintaining the City’s public safety. The City will continue to keep the community informed about maintaining essential public safety services and fiscal stability.