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Twentynine Palms council approves funding for survey and outreach to explore local tax measure
Summary
City Council voted 5-0 to hire Popowsky Research ($22,500), select an outreach consultant (Clifford Moss at $74,800 was favored) and allocate up to $25,000 for outreach materials so the city can gauge voter support for a possible sales-tax or TOT measure to address rising costs and flat revenues.
Twentynine Palms City Manager Dr. Stone told the City Council that the city faces rising costs and flat or declining revenues and recommended a two-part effort — a public opinion survey followed by community outreach — to determine whether voters support a tax measure to shore up services.
Dr. Stone said the combination of increasing expenses and stagnant revenues “is not sustainable,” and described core services — animal control, parks and recreation and community development — that the city subsidizes because fees do not cover operating costs. He pointed to a recent adoption-fee pilot that cut the fee from about $208 to $29 and produced 32 adoptions in two weeks as an example of how pricing affects service outcomes.
The council approved three items in a single motion: a $22,500 contract with Popowsky Research to conduct a community survey; selection of an outreach/education consultant (staff noted Clifford Moss at $74,800 as a recommended option and the Lou Group as an alternative); and a contingency of up to $25,000 for printed materials and outreach expenses. Councilmember Justin Wright moved the action and it was seconded; the motion passed unanimously, 5-0.
Councilmembers discussed timing and format during a lengthy question-and-answer period. One member said the survey typically takes four to six weeks to complete; others pressed staff to make sure any ballot measure would be shaped by results and that the outreach consultant would focus on education rather than advocacy. Councilmembers also debated revenue options — a general sales-tax increase versus transient-occupancy-tax (TOT) or a mix of measures — with some members favoring a visitor-based TOT to limit direct impact on residents.
City staff outlined next steps: if the survey shows sufficient support, the city would continue outreach and may return to council with options for a ballot measure; if support is weak, staff said the outreach work would not proceed further. The council’s approval gives staff immediate authority to begin the survey and to enter contracts to plan community engagement and educational materials.
The action is intended to inform long-term financial planning as the council pursues its stated strategic goal of financial sustainability; staff and council members repeatedly framed the work as fact-finding and public engagement rather than a commitment to put a specific tax on the ballot.
The council approved the motion 5-0; the meeting record shows no opposing or abstaining votes. The council will consider survey results and next steps in future sessions.
