Twentynine Palms council approves survey and outreach to explore tax measure

The Twentynine Palms City Council on Monday approved a three-part package to test voter support for a possible tax measure and begin community outreach, voting 5-0 to contract a survey firm, retain an outreach consultant and set aside funds for printed materials.

The council hired Popowsky Research for a community survey at a cost of $22,500, authorized engaging Clifford Moss for outreach and education work at a cost not to exceed $74,800, and approved an allocation of up to $25,000 for printing and other outreach expenses. Council member Justin Wright made the motion to approve the three items; the measure passed unanimously.

City staff said the steps are intended to inform whether the city should pursue a revenue measure to address a structural gap between rising costs and flat or declining revenues. A staff presentation showed the city’s sales-tax rate at 7.75 percent, lower than several nearby jurisdictions; staff cited regional comparisons including Yucca Valley at 8.75 percent and Palm Springs at 9.25 percent. The presentation also showed examples of visitor taxes in resort communities such as Big Bear Lake, where lodging and assessment structures shift more of the cost of visitor impacts to nonresidents.

The presenter told the council the survey would help the city “understand what is important to the community” and said the work of an outreach firm would follow the research, not precede it. The consultant estimated the survey would take about four to six weeks to complete. Council members described the survey and outreach as necessary to determine whether voters would support a measure and to shape educational materials that would explain how any new revenue would be used.

Council discussion covered types of tax measures the city could consider, including a sales-tax increase and changes to transient occupancy tax (TOT). Council members noted that a sales tax increase would affect local residents’ purchases, while a higher TOT would be paid mainly by visitors. Several council members said outreach should clearly explain what proposed revenue would fund — for example, maintaining law enforcement, roads, parks and recreation, and animal-control services — and that consultants should help craft that message.

The council approved the contracts and funding after a motion to engage Popowsky Research for $22,500, to retain Clifford Moss at up to $74,800, and to allocate up to $25,000 for outreach materials. The vote was recorded as: Councilman Scott — aye; Council member Justin Wright — aye; Councilwoman Ramirez — aye; Mayor Pro Tem Mintz — aye; Mayor Bilderink — aye. The action was recorded as approved, 5-0.

City staff said the survey would be the first step and that engagement and education efforts would be scaled to the survey results: if the research showed low public support, outreach work would be curtailed; if results showed sufficient support, consultants would proceed to build an education and ballot strategy. The council directed staff to proceed with the contracts and outreach funding the same evening.

Planning documents presented to council noted the city faces rising operating costs and a limited revenue base; staff emphasized the city has pursued cost-saving measures but said new revenue strategies are needed to avoid cuts to services. The presenter also highlighted that some city services, including animal control and parks and recreation, are currently subsidized by the general fund because user fees do not cover full costs.

Next steps outlined by staff: Popowsky Research would conduct the community survey (estimated four to six weeks), staff would negotiate final scopes with the selected outreach firm, and the city would return to council with survey results and recommended next steps, including whether to place a tax measure on a future ballot.