Under the provisions of the charter, the City of Palm Desert has full authority over its own municipal affairs including: bidding and contracting procedures; regulation of parks, libraries, and other facilities; certain fees; imposition of taxes; municipal zoning; salaries of officials and employees; municipal utilities; and municipal election procedures.
The City operates under a Council-Manager form of government. The City Council is comprised of five members elected to four-year terms every two years by the residents of the City. On January 25, 2024 the Palm Desert City Council adopted Ordinance No. 1406 establishing five single-member council districts. The transition to single-member council districts, from the two previously, will be complete following the November 2026 election for two members of City Council representing Districts 4 and 5. Each December, the City Council selects the Mayor from among its members for a one-year term. The City Council appoints the City Manager and the City Attorney.
The City operates as a “contract city,” primarily utilizing agreements with other governmental entities, private firms, and individuals to provide many services. Contracted services include: police protection through the County of Riverside; fire protection through Cal-Fire; animal control; road maintenance and construction services; legal services; landscape maintenance; and recreation program services. Palm Desert is a member of the California Joint Powers Insurance Authority that provides insurance coverage for the City. Water, sewage treatment and wastewater disposal are provided by the Coachella Valley Water District. Southern California Gas Company supplies natural gas to the City and electric power is provided by the Southern California Edison Company. Waste Disposal is provided by Burrtec Waste & Recycling Services. Telephone/Internet service is available through Frontier Communications. Cable television/Internet service is provided by Time Warner Cable/Spectrum.
The City provides traditional municipal, public enterprise, and housing services as follows:
Public improvements, infrastructure and maintenance Public art and community promotion Planning, zoning, building and engineering Housing and community development Code compliance
Economic development and business advocacy Legislative, city clerk, visitor's services, public information, general administration, fiscal services, human resources, and risk management
Building permitting, inspections and library services
Palm Desert Civic Center
Public Enterprise Services
Golf course
Office complex
Internal service
Blended & Discrete Component Units Palm Desert Housing Authority Palm Desert Financing Authority Palm Desert Recreational Facilities Corporation
The City maintains budgetary controls to ensure compliance with legal provisions embodied in the annual appropriated budget approved by the City Council. Activities of the General, Special Revenue, Debt Service, and Capital Project Funds are included in the annual appropriated budget. Budgetary amounts for Debt Service, Capital Projects, and certain Special Revenue Funds are adopted annually; however, these budgets are considered to be long-term in nature.
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