Councilmembers approved an amendment to the city’s partnership agreement with Greater Palm Springs Bridal to recognize the full in‑kind cost the city provides to produce Palm Springs Pride. The amendment raises the city’s annual in‑kind sponsorship valuation from $125,000 to $350,000 to match estimated public-safety, public-works and maintenance costs for the large multi-day festival, parade and block party.

Nick Gonzales, director of Parks and Recreation, told the council the $350,000 figure represents in‑kind services including police, fire and emergency management staffing, barricades, sanitation, and public works support. Police and fire officials told council they had trimmed costs where possible but believed current levels of staffing are necessary to maintain safety for an event that draws large crowds. Gonzales said the estimated economic impact reported by Pride organizers is roughly $38 million for area hotels, restaurants and shops.

Council and staff clarified that the finance is an accounting of in‑kind services rather than a new cash appropriation; the amendment reallocated existing internal resources and PS Resorts sponsorship funds to cover the city’s share. Council asked for post-event reporting (attendance, costs, and public-safety metrics) and for audited financials from the event organizer when the sponsorship exceeds $75,000.

Earlier in the meeting the VillageFest board made a separate presentation. Greg Roberts, VillageFest board chair, and Parks Director Nick Gonzales previewed a year-long marketing plan, ADA website upgrades, seasonal campaign themes and a vendor incubator concept that would rotate top vendors into a “Best of VillageFest” storefront to help scale small businesses year‑round. Roberts asked the council for an endorsement to develop a concrete strategic plan in partnership with College of the Desert and other stakeholders.

Councilmembers said they supported both VillageFest’s strategic planning and the Pride agreement, with the caveat that staff must supply post-event reports and updated audited financials for the large sponsorship. The council approved the Pride amendment (motion recorded in transcript) and asked staff to return with post‑event reporting and a process for periodic review of major in‑kind sponsorships.