The Desert Sun from Palm Springs, California • 13

Friday May 23 1975 THE DESERT SUN Palm Springs Calif Bl Desert Still Up Over $1 Million Inflation And Recession Blamed For Belt-Tightened Indio Budget Community News A Valley-wide service of The Desert Sun has proposed a budget increase of $5000 over the current $40000 The chamber however had requested some $15000 more The first study session on the budget has been set by the council for Thursday May 29 7 pm at the city hall annex Scheduled sessions for next month include June 3 at noon June 11 at 7 pm June 6 at noon June 23 at 7 pm and June 25 at 7 pm all at the city hall annex Southeast Offices 74-617 Highway 111 346-5646 Palm Desert North Volley Offices 61 1 South Palm Canyon Drive 325-8666 Palm Springs General Future To Be Placed On Ballot which was adopted by the council Jan 20 The council had voted March 19 to ignore the referendum because Erwin advised them that adoption of a general plan was an administrative act and not a legislative act Therefore it was not subject to a referendum In his final ruling issued last Friday Mctheny said adopting a general plan is a legislative act and the referendum was proper He also ruled that the general plan was formally suspended March 18 is successful we can have the first reading of the Redevelopment Agency plan July 16 The final plan (for the redevelopment of the downtown area) can be adopted August 16 The tax freeze will automatically be made Aug 18 Hurlburt said Erwin said that a successful election is the only way to obtain the necessary funds" to get the Redevelopment Agency going this If not the city stands to lose $57000 a year for the next 10 years according to Hurlburt Erwin said the proposition on the ballot will read the general plan of the City of Palm Desert be adopted and approved?" The decision partially ends a two month battle beginning when the referendum committee presented the council with a 638-signature petition March 18 calling for the repeal of the general plan INDIO The combination of recession and inflation will force a belt-tightening fiscal year for this city as the council will consider the new budget of around $5 million in a series of study sessions through June 25 While the 1975-76 budget proposal of $4979828 exceeds the current budget by more than a million dollars as submitted by City Manager Phillip Hawes it does not account for staff salary increase requests Also the proposed budget reflects a substantial amount of federal and state grants for such programs as community development that cannot be used for general purposes Salary requests are still being negotiated according to Hawes and if they are granted the budget would reflect a deficit In this case the city council would have to retrench possibly by limiting services andor cutting back on employes A further consideration of the council during budget deliberations will be a possible property tax increase above the $165 per $100 of assessed valuation but only to the legally established ceiling of $171 As inflation has hit Indio by hiking expenses the recession has severely cut the available tax revenue particularly with the sales and use tax drop On this point the slowdown in automobile sales business licenses and construction permits all contribute to the local economic condition Hawes reported that the municipal golf course has had an excellent year in terms of play and receipts but the course's bond payment for the coming fiscal year will increase by $5000 portending financial straits forthcoming In the proposed austerity budget only one new city employe has been listed a caretaker for the new civic center complex The city will share salary costs with the county which is building the new library in the complex Through the federal employment programs however the city may gain maintenance men an animal control officer and a fire department secretary Also from the federal government Indio receives revenue sharing funds but these grants have largely been earmarked for building projects Traditionally the council has channeled revenue sharing funds into single-year projects such as the city hall construction rather than risk funding continuing expenditures in the event that the federal funding is curtailed For the financially-troubled chamber of commerce Hawes MANAGERS MEET New Indian Wells City Manager Prince Pierson (left) is briefed on some of the operations of the city by his predecessor George Minturn Pierson assumes his new job July 1 Minturn announced his retirement several weeks ago (Desert Sun Photo) which was apparently embodied in an ordinance drawn up before the meeting The council made no comments before or after giving their vote Up until now the council also had the option of appealing an order by Superior court Judge Fred Methcny directing the city to either rescind its general plan or put it to a vote Metheny's decision evolved out of a lawsuit filed against the city by the Referendum Committee Concerned Citizens Inc and the Palm Desert Property Owners Association Appealing order rather questionable" City Attorney Dave Erwin told the council Erwin said in explaining to the audience the city's options that the appeal is affected "by the exclusion of findings of fact and conclusions of law that we asked for in Judge Metheny's order" "The attempt of an appeal is somewhat Erwin continued if we just to go the first level of the appellate Meanwhile City Manager Harvey Hurlburt explained the election timetable in order to freeze county taxes for Redevelopment Agency funds by Aug 18 need to notify the county elections department by next Wednesday to have them set an election July Hurlburt told the council they will count the votes July 9 and canvass the votes on July the general plan election FOOD STUDIES NEW YORK (UPI) A Center for Food Studies has been established at the Columbia University Graduate School of Business here Funds have been allocated for academic research but the main activity this year consists of weekly seminars on world food problems The center was established with a grant from General Foods Inc Weather Just One Plus For New City Manager Cityhood Lettersl WEE SHOP unPAuasHOffimaNTii 15-171 MTf PAIN DMVt cmoMiaTY CHILDRENS CLOTHING 4 ACaSSORIES SIS 0-14 NAMi HANDS REASONABLY PRICED OPEN MON THRU SAT 10-6 AMPLE PARKING By JOHN HUSSAR Staff Writer PALM DESERT The fate of the future embodied in the general plan will be decided July 8 in a popular election the city council unanimously voted Thursday In setting the special election the council made it clear it was doing so to meet certain deadlines to obtain funds for its Redevelopment Agency this year Of course the rapid-fire timetable of necessary steps to freeze county taxes for the funds is contingent on a successful decision July 8 at the polls The council's decision to call the election rather than to appeal a court order came after a 55-minute closed executive session while an audience of about 25 waited anxiously in the council chambers Among those pacing the floor were Dave Bond chairman of the Palm Desert Referendum Committee and Jack McFa-dyen an outspoken member of the newly formed Anti-Referendum Committee The council appeared rather glum in approving the election More Community News On Next Page Law Plan Is Okayed RIVERSIDE (CNA) A law enforcement agreement between the County and City of Indian Wells effective until July 1 1979 was authorized this week The county board of supervisors approved the agreement which increases service from a six hour day seven day week to a nine hour day seven day week effective December 1 1974 a little late but it is Administrative Officer Robert Andersen noted The agreement stipulates the city will pay $3608802 for fiscal year 1974-75 and each year thereafter adjusted to include all items of cost and expense for the services The cost of the service does not include minimum level of services normally rendered by the sheriff in cities under his countywide responsibility With the eaatnversial Cathedral City electiaa due Tuesday aver whether ta ia-earparate ar nut The Desert Suu is publishing letters taday bath pra and can an dtyhaad Page B3 af the Desert Cemmuaities News sectiau Is deveted ta readers' respanse ta this issue of service and the excellent said the 37-year-old Pierson He noted that here city manager has to be a professional over and above some of my mainly because the small staff and limited resources requires versatility think the recreation and retirement elements we have here further justifies the needs of professionalism and public relations both on the part of the city council and the city he said Pierson has had some degree of contact with local residents he said and once he assumes his job he expects to work closely with the residents "I get along well with lie said Minturn praised the man who will take over his duties in July council made a fine choice in finding my successor and it's been a pleasure working with him during the past By MIKE KATAOKA Staff Writer INDIAN WELLS Weather-wise Prince Pierson is happy to be moving back to an arid area the climate in which he grew up But only one of the reasons why he took the job of Indian new city manager was looking for a particular situation in government in which I could utilize all my prior experience and at the same time find the aesthetics and amenities Indian Wells offers" he said Pierson was selected recently by the city council from among 27 applicants to succeed Geroge Minturn who is retiring June 30 He officially begins work July 1 but he arrived early to acquaint himself with the operations of the city particularly the drafting of the new budget "One of the things that especially impresses me about Indian Wells is the high quality Wtf I he said Pierson was equally complimentary of Minturn like to commend George Minturn and his service to Indian Wells He's exceptional in both his professionalism and his said Pierson As far as the staff he will work with Pierson noted wears a number of hats and has to do a variety of jobs This is why you'll find that their position in a small community is more demanding than their counterparts in larger areas" he said Pierson comes to Indian Wells after serving as branch administrator and loan ufficer for Security Pacific National Bank in Oakland His wife Lorna and children Brent 11 and Sheryl nine still reside in Fremont but they'll join him in the desert once school is out for the summer Pierson's city management experience includes two four-year assignments in Willcox Ariz and Calexico He also served as a planning department administrative assistant for the city of Los Angeles The new city manager received his bachelor's degree in business and public administration from the University of Arizona and studied at the University of Southern California in planning and government graduate courses An Arizona native along with his wife Pierson welcomes the warm temperatures of Indian Wells All things considered is a special community" he said Revenue Share Spending Suggestions Date is Set i 1 I Incorporation OF CATHEDRAL CITY Reasons To Vote For: No increase in your taxes Better police protection fire protection and street maintenance To keep neighboring Palm Springs and Rancho Mirage from grabbing business area and taxes Local government will be responsible to its own citizens $100000 or more in federal grants to the city State will return revenues from gas cigarette liquor and sales tax To provide recreational facilities for senior citizens Programs and facilities for our youth Improved traffic safety conditions in the city A good transportation system in the city and to other areas PALM DESERT Residents must submit suggestions of spending $40000 in Revenue Sharing Funds by May 31 City Manager Harvey Hurlburt said today Although suggestions will be considered in the proposed 1975-76 budget the city is considering using the federal monies to help finance law en- 1 1 enforcement services agreement Kith the Riverside County Sheriffs Department which will provide two manned patrol units for a full The city currently spends $223730 a year for two patrolling deputies and other police services 24 hours a day Hurlburt said the first revenue sharing payment of $10013 should be received by the city in October The funds were made possible through the State and Fiscal Assistance Act of 1972 forcement services law requires each government to publish a report of its plans to use these funds to inform its citizens and to encourage their participation in deciding how the money should be Hurlburt said Citizens suggestions must be handed to the city clerk no later than May 31 to be considered in finalizing next budget is presently Hurlburt said use this revenue to help finance the law I Graduates FAMOUS MAKE AND WOMENS TENNIS WEAR in MUCH LESS THAN HALF PRICE! M1 mm 1 IM' a1ir4 BOOK MARK 2 TANK TOPS PRINTS PLAIN IN GREAT STYLES MOSTLY POLYESTERS A FEW COTTON SIZES 8-18 VALUES TO 1800 OmRfNOS MAY 31 HIS 99 Will be Open All Summer Monday thru Saturday BUT this will be our Last Sunday until Fall RANCHO MIRAGE Carl Cieslikowski son of Mrs Bertha Cieslikowski of Rancho Mirage will receive his master of science degree in criminal justice administration from California State University at San Jose (CSUSJ) at the end of this term Cieslikowski who is also a' 1964 graduate of Palm Springs High School received his associate of arts from College of the Desert in 1967 Your Good Frtondf TAMARISK COUNTRY CLUB Just 200 yards off the golf course a lovely 2 bedroom 2 bath cooperative completely furnished Share i pool jacuzzi landscaping citrus trees Only $45000 600DFRIEND BIKER REALTORS 346-0501 i ova 2000 PAIRS TO CHOOSE FROM! 2 PAIR PANTS Tuesday May 27 Vote for Cityhood Drop by and Pick-Up your FREE Copy of Harlequin Presents 99 100 POLYESTER SIZES 8-20 VALUES TO 189S FANTASTIC VALUE! ORB BBS MAY1I II75 WITH HD Hand Mildred Wanal BOOK MARK FACTORY OUTLET A 8-81 8 MWAY 1 1 1 OPPOSITE PEKMO RESTAURANT HOURStDANl SUNDAY 11-3 PH 321-161 Committee for incorporation Robert A Hilltry Chairman 73-410 El Romo Square Pain Desert 346-2755 (Nut ta Iannis Raff).