From:Michael Harrington
To:Kristie Ramos, CMC
Subject:Public Comment – Item 7C, FY 2026-2027 Budget – June 18, 2026 City Council Meeting Date:Wednesday, June 17, 2026 2:23:10 PM
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Mayor, Council Members, and City Clerk:
Please include this correspondence as public comment for Agenda Item 7C, Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Budget, at the June 18, 2026, 1:00 p.m. City Council meeting.
I am not convinced this budget is ready for adoption without further discussion regarding spending priorities.
The City has identified rising public safety costs, increasing fire and EMS demand, roadway deterioration, sidewalk deficiencies, accessibility concerns, and continued use of reserves. These are core municipal responsibilities that deserve priority attention.
At the same time, the City continues to fund entertainment programming and event-related activities. What remains unclear is how the City evaluates those expenditures against competing needs such as police, fire protection, roads, sidewalks, and infrastructure.
My concern is not whether arts and cultural activities have value. My concern is that residents have not been provided with the fully loaded cost of entertainment programming. An event is not necessarily free simply because a performer, speaker, or activity is funded by a donor, sponsor, or nonprofit organization. City staff time, administration, planning, facility support, security coordination, maintenance, utilities, and other costs are still borne by the City.
The City appropriately uses fully loaded cost analysis when discussing public safety services. A Sheriff's deputy costs substantially more than salary alone because numerous supporting costs are required to place that deputy into service. A similar analysis should be provided for discretionary entertainment programming so residents can understand the true costs and evaluate budget priorities.
I would also like to better understand the process used to determine that the current level of entertainment spending reflects community priorities, particularly when the City itself has identified significant public safety and infrastructure needs. Residents were invited to participate in town halls regarding budget challenges and future priorities. I am unaware of any similar public discussion regarding the appropriate level of taxpayer support for entertainment programming or whether alternative approaches were considered.
For these reasons, I believe additional discussion of discretionary spending, fully loaded event costs, and cost recovery is warranted before final approval of the budget.
Respectfully,
Michael Harrington
Rancho Mirage Resident