Budget Update Dedicates Funds to New Animal Shelter
TWENTYNINE PALMS, CA — The Twentynine Palms City Council has approved a balanced two-year budget for Fiscal Years 2023-24 and 2024-25, dedicating crucial funds toward a new, modern Palms-N-Paws Animal Shelter and more effective animal control services. The budget also leverages revenues for capital improvement projects, community events, and parks and recreation facilities investments.
Revenues for the next two years, excluding transfers and reserves, are projected to be $13.0 million in FY 2023-24 and $13.3 million in FY 2024-25. The three largest projected revenue increases are Property Tax in lieu of Vehicle License Fee (VLF) , Property Tax, and Sales Tax. Property Tax in lieu of Vehicle License Fee (VLF) revenues are up $152,000, totaling $3.9 million and $4.1 million in FY 23-24 and 24-25, respectively. Property Tax revenues are up $101,000, totaling $2.6 million and $2.7 million in FY 23-24 and 24-25, respectively. Sales Tax revenues have also increased, bringing in an extra $33,000 for a total of $1.6 million each fiscal year. However, due to current economic conditions, City Staff is projecting a reduction of $100,000 in TOT revenues, totaling $1.9 million for both years.
Through this budget, Palms-N-Paws Animal Shelter will be able to expand its operation to a new more efficient shelter with additional staff, continuing to help stray animals find loving homes. Palms-N-Paws Animal Shelter houses pets like cats and dogs along with livestock and birds of prey. The shelter takes in around 80 animals monthly and adopts out 40 to 50 in the same period. All adoptions include spay/neuter vouchers, health checkups, city licenses, and microchipping. They help return missing animals to their owners and work in tandem with rescues.
Palms-N-Paws also oversees special programs to alleviate the epidemic of loneliness among seniors, enabling them to adopt dogs and cats from the shelter at a significantly reduced rate. In addition to all the typical animal wellness perks that come with adoption from Palms-N-Paws, this program also includes one free checkup voucher with VCA 29 Palms Animal Hospital and one free visit to 29 Paws Pet Grooming.
According to the city’s budget, animal control services deliver $83,000 in revenues and cost $592,554 in expenditures. The city will subsidize 86 percent of the service through a general fund subsidy.
Meanwhile, community development programs deliver $883,000 in revenues and cost more than $1.4 million in expenditures. The city will subsidize 38 percent of the service via a general fund subsidy. Finally, community services deliver $158,840 in revenues and cost more than $1.2 million in expenditures. The city will subsidize 87 percent of the service.
Twentynine Palms balances its budget to maintain and improve the quality of lives of those who live, work, or visit the city. The city is focused on a safe, well-planned family atmosphere that is rich and diverse in cultural and natural resources and promotes economic and educational opportunities.