Rancho Mirage begins annexation proceedings for two development sites to fund additional police and fire services

Rancho Mirage — The City Council on Sept. 4 voted unanimously to initiate annexation proceedings for two separate territories into Community Facilities District No. 1, setting the process to levy special taxes for additional police and fire services and scheduling follow-up public hearings.

Jacob Veil La Cruz, financial analyst, told the council that Annexation No. 199 covers two parcels at the northeast corner of Bob Hope Drive and Gerald Ford Drive totaling about 5.4 acres and is slated for a one‑story skilled nursing facility of approximately 42,500 square feet. “Upon approval of the resolution, the city will be able to accept the petition submitted by the owner for annexation, consent to the levy upon the annexed territory, allow for the shortening of the time for the special election to expedite the annexation, accept and preliminarily approve the annexation map and direct the City Clerk to record the map,” Jacob Veil La Cruz said.

For Annexation No. 200, Veil La Cruz said the territory (Section 31 near Monterey Avenue and Gerald Ford Drive) comprises six parcels totaling about 72.88 acres and would be subdivided into 23 parcels under an approved tentative tract map. That project likewise carries a Planning Commission condition requiring annexation to CFD No. 1.

Brad Anderson, a member of the public, spoke in favor of scheduling the public hearing for Annexation No. 200 and commented that new development should contribute to the city’s added police and fire costs. Following the presentations, the council moved to adopt resolutions declaring its intent to annex each territory into CFD No. 1, preliminarily approve the maps and schedule the public hearings; both motions passed 4-0.

Why it matters: Annexation into a CFD allows the city to levy a special tax on the annexed territory to fund specified services — here, additional police and fire coverage tied to new development. The council’s actions start a multi-step process that includes notification, a public hearing (noted for Oct. 16 in the staff presentation), and final approvals if the council ultimately authorizes annexation and levy.

Next steps: Public hearings will be scheduled (the staff presentation identified Oct. 16 as the planned date for the second and final step) to consider the annexations and the levy of a special tax; council will consider final approvals following those hearings.