From:Kristie Ramos, CMC
To:Juan Guerra
Subject:Fwd: Budget Study Session 6/4/2026
Date:Wednesday, June 3, 2026 4:09:19 PM
Attachments:city seal transparent 2 4b81bffe-bb95-4b18-a74a-4086edea3b60.png Hi Juan,
Please provide this public comment to Records for Laserfiche and print for the public comment binder.
Thank you,
Kristie
Kristie Ramos, CMC
City Clerk
Phone: 760-324-4511 Ext. 488
E-mail: [email protected]
69-825 Highway 111, Rancho Mirage, California, 92270
www.RanchoMirageCa.gov
TRANSPARENCY NOTICE
Some or all of the content of this e-mail and its attachments may be subject to disclosure pursuant to the California Public Records Act (Government Code section 7920-7931, et seq.) Begin forwarded message:
From: Michael Harrington
Date: June 3, 2026 at 3:58:48 PM PDT
To: "Kristie Ramos, CMC"
Subject: Budget Study Session 6/4/2026
CAUTION: This email originated from outside The City of Rancho Mirage. DO NOT CLICK links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Public Comment
Mayor, Council Members, and Staff:
As you begin discussion of the FY 2026-27 budget, I urge the City to focus first on core services and establish a clear distinction between essential and discretionary spending.
Core services include public safety, infrastructure, road maintenance, parks maintenance, and the field personnel who provide these services every day. These functions should be fully funded and prioritized before consideration is given to new initiatives, expansions, or discretionary programs.
Over the past several years, the City has discussed rising public safety costs and infrastructure needs while also funding a variety of discretionary projects, grants, cultural programs, events, and amenity enhancements. Residents have never been provided a clear analysis showing what spending is truly core and what spending is discretionary.
Before discussing additional revenue measures, reserve reductions, or future tax increases, the City should present that analysis.
If difficult choices must be made, they should begin with discretionary spending rather than core services. The answer should not be fewer maintenance workers, field staff, or basic services that residents depend upon every day.
The City should also reconsider expansion of entertainment and event-oriented initiatives. Community facilities should primarily serve the community. Parks, libraries, meeting spaces, and other public facilities can support local organizations, civic groups, neighborhood associations, educational programs, and community activities without requiring continual investment in larger productions, attractions, or event-driven programming.
During recent discussions, it was suggested that reducing cultural activities would be unfortunate. I agree that culture is important.
However, culture is not limited to large events, productions, or outside attractions. The culture of Rancho Mirage is found in its residents, community organizations, volunteers, clubs, educational programs, and civic life.
As this budget is developed, I encourage the City to prioritize core services first, discretionary spending second, and provide residents with a transparent accounting of that distinction.
Thank you.
Mike Harrington