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Rancho Mirage amends 2024–25 budget, projects modest $108,000 surplus
Summary
On March 6 the Rancho Mirage City Council adopted midyear adjustments to the fiscal year 2024–25 budget that increase operating revenues and reduce operating expenditures, shifting a planned draw on reserves into an estimated surplus of about $108,000.
The Rancho Mirage City Council on March 6 adopted a midyear amendment to the fiscal year 2024–25 budget that increases projected operating revenues and reduces operating spending, producing an estimated surplus of about $108,000 at year end.
Assistant Director Joseph Carpenter presented the finance division's midyear review and recommended adjustments after staff identified material changes in revenues and expenditures. Carpenter told the council the current operating budget adopted June 20, 2024, included roughly $34.9 million in revenue and $33.5 million in expenditures. The midyear proposal increases operating revenues by $215,000 and reduces operating expenditures by $239,000, which raises the projected operating surplus by $454,000 — from about $1.34 million to $1.79 million.
The staff presentation identified revenue detail that included $130,000 more in tax-related receipts, $40,000 less in development-related fees, and $125,000 more in miscellaneous revenues. On the expenditure side, staff proposed a $75,000 reduction in city attorney expenses, a $575,000 reduction in public safety (attributed primarily to increased CFD No. 1 revenue), a $326,000 increase in general government largely for rising insurance costs, and an $85,000 increase in special programs for a historic resource survey.
Carpenter also recommended nonoperating adjustments: a $620,000 reduction in federal grant revenue tied to a project now expected next fiscal year; a $4 million reduction in amphitheater improvements after the council abandoned that project; and a $400,000 reduction in the Ramon Road capital project because its completion is anticipated next fiscal year. Accounting for those changes, staff estimated the city will close the year with roughly $61.9 million in general fund reserves, up from an opening balance of approximately $61.79 million.
Council Member Downs asked clarifying questions about the $108,000 surplus estimate and the $4 million amphitheater reduction; Carpenter confirmed the figures and explained some capital spending reflected electrical upgrades at City Hall and costs tied to the buyout of prior power purchase agreements. No public speakers addressed the item, and the council voted 5–0 to approve the resolution amending the 2024–25 budget.
The amendment does not identify additional departmental budget reallocations beyond those described; Carpenter said any year-end division-level adjustments would return to the council as needed.
