Indio council reviews FY 2025–26 budget, flags public-safety costs and parks maintenance needs

The Indio City Council heard a detailed review of the proposed fiscal year 2025–26 budget that staff said is balanced but faces several pressures, including flattening revenue trends, rising public-safety costs and rollover capital projects that the city must fund. Finance staff presented general fund totals, revenue assumptions and a capital plan while asking council for direction to finalize the budget for adoption in June.

City Finance Director Ruby Walla told the council the proposed general-fund expenditures total about $111 million against roughly $106 million in budgeted revenue, and that about $6.7 million in one-time projects carried into the new year would be reflected as beginning fund balance. "The budget is balanced," Walla said, while also noting staff is recommending re-appropriating one-time funds and continuing a $1 million contribution toward pension liabilities and a $1.5 million OPEB contribution.

Council members focused most of their follow-up on public safety and parks. Mayor Glenn Miller and several council members said ambulances and fire/EMS costs have risen significantly and could add roughly $1 million annually to the budget; the city’s budget documents and staff presentations showed a projected increase in contracted ambulance costs in that range. Council members urged staff to convene a study session to explore long-term alternatives, including partnering with neighboring cities’ ambulance services or other regional delivery models.

Councilmember Gutron and others also pressed for more detail on fire-department staffing, paramedic vs. firefighter allocations, county support and administrative fees before approving the budget final. Councilmember Gutron said, "We need to really take a breather, but the fire department needs to be present."

Parks and the new sports complex drew sustained council attention. Staff said operating costs for the new sports park—utility, irrigation and monthly maintenance—were incorporated in the draft budget and estimated to add roughly $300,000 annually for water, power and landscaping, plus an Excel contract line item estimated at roughly $25,000 per month for maintenance when the facility opens in September. Council members and public commenters asked whether the city should continue to contract turf/grounds work or bring maintenance in-house, and whether to pilot the Desert Recreation District (DRD) or other private contractors for select sites to compare cost and quality.

Council members also discussed the city’s reserve policy. Staff noted the city currently meets a 15% revenue reserve guideline and proposed holding an additional $500,000 in an economic-uncertainty reserve. Mayor Miller suggested the council consider increasing or subdividing reserves (for vehicles, capital replacement, etc.) so the public and unions understand the purpose of the funds. Vehicle replacement was discussed as well; staff proposed $750,000 for fleet replacement next fiscal year and noted the continuing challenge of long delivery times and upfitting costs.

On capital projects, staff emphasized two large items: the Monroe interchange, where staff recommended an additional $8 million of funding because bids and estimates have risen, and the police headquarters building where staff recommended completing the pay‑as‑you‑go portion with an additional $5 million set-aside. Staff also noted a number of existing CIP projects are rollovers that will require re-appropriation.

Council direction: staff asked council whether to proceed as presented toward a June adoption, or return with requested changes. Multiple council members asked for additional detail on fire/EMS costs, contracts for parks maintenance, and the fleet replacement schedule prior to adoption; staff said they would return with updated figures and a June adoption schedule.

The study-session presentation also included an overview of the Indio Water Authority (IWA) budget and capital program; IWA staff said it plans a $10 million transfer to capital for existing infrastructure projects and identified chromium‑6 retrofit work and pipeline projects among priorities. City and IWA staff said they would present any required rate adjustments and related hearings separately.

Looking ahead, staff said they will return with a recommended budget for adoption in June and could schedule a follow-up study session to focus on fire/EMS alternatives and parks maintenance contracting if the council wishes.