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Palm Desert council opts to set up library fund with Desert Community Foundation, allocates $50,000
Summary
After extended discussion about scope, governance and donor influence, Palm Desert council voted 5-0 to establish a library fund through the Desert Community Foundation and authorize a $50,000 initial deposit rather than creating a standalone city foundation.
The Palm Desert City Council voted unanimously Thursday to establish a library fund through the Desert Community Foundation (DCF) and authorize a $50,000 initial deposit to support the new municipal library.
The motion to use DCF — rather than form a standalone Palm Desert library foundation — followed more than an hour of public comment and council debate about fundraising, donor influence and how to protect the city’s control over library priorities.
Gary Schafer, the city’s director of library services, told the council the city had examined eight library and civic foundations and the local community foundation as part of the review. “Council can maintain strict oversight and ensure proper fund management by putting in place robust governing documents,” Schafer said during the presentation, citing memoranda of understanding and gift-acceptance policies as options.
Resident Jan Buller urged the council to establish a foundation before construction of the new library begins, saying donors are most likely to give when a capital project is public and visible. “Now before construction begins is when the ideal time to enlist donors and contributors,” Buller said.
Council discussion focused on two risks: donors seeking outsized influence over programs or policy, and the administrative burden of running a standalone nonprofit. Councilmember Quintanilla noted the Desert Community Foundation would provide an immediate tax-exempt vehicle for contributors and an existing administrative structure; other council members pressed for strict MOU language and clear rules about use of donated funds.
Councilmember Predetta (spoke as “Perdetto”/“Perdeta” in the record) said the city must protect Measure G commitments and ensure donated funds do not supplant or redirect general fund priorities. Mayor Jan Harnick and Mayor Pro Tem Truby both emphasized the goal of building an exemplary library while maintaining transparency about how donations would be used.
After the debate the council voted 5-0 to proceed with setting up a library fund at the Desert Community Foundation and to allocate a $50,000 initial deposit to establish the account.
The council directed staff to work with DCF on the account setup, including donation handling and language to ensure funds are used for library-only purposes. Staff also said they would return with draft agreements and specific gift-acceptance policy language for council review.
The vote ends the immediate discussion of creating a city-run foundation and instead uses DCF to provide 501(c)(3) tax treatment, an online donation mechanism and third-party oversight while the city develops any additional governance safeguards.
The council’s decision does not change the city’s commitment to funding library operations; staff noted county-provided property tax dollars will continue to be reported and used in the library operating budget.
