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Thursday, May 7 | ☀️ 98°/70°
Happy Thursday! Riverside County's 1.4 million vote-by-mail ballots for the June 2 Statewide Direct Primary (that’s less than a month away!) are either in your mailbox or on the way — and when yours arrives, don't be alarmed if you spot a familiar name like "Barack Obama" on the governor's race (that would be Barack D. Obama Shaw, a business owner who met all the legal requirements to appear among the 61 candidates on the ballot). With names appearing in random order across two pages and five columns, it's worth doing your homework before you bubble in! If you haven't registered yet, you still have until May 18 to do so at registertovote.ca.gov — so make sure your voice is heard!
🎶 Setting the mood: "(You Gotta) Fight For Your Right (To Party)" by Beastie Boys
Leading Off
The city's spending plan for the coming fiscal year calls for new police radios, an additional ambulance and nearly $200 million in capital projects over five years — while still finishing in the black.
Indio proposes $130 million budget with surplus and major public safety investments
Indio is heading into the next fiscal year in the black, with city leaders proposing a $130 million spending plan that officials say will boost public safety, expand emergency services, and chart nearly $200 million in capital investments over five years.
Driving the news: Finance Director Ruby Walla presented the proposed fiscal year 2026-27 budget at a study session Wednesday, describing it as built on steady but slower growth. Operational revenues of $114 million outpace operational expenses of $112 million, producing a surplus of approximately $992,000.
Staff recommended setting aside an additional $500,000 toward reserves, which would bring the city's reserve fund to $19.5 million — about 17% of the budget, above the city's 15% minimum threshold.
By the numbers: Measure X, the city's local sales tax measure, is projected to generate $18.9 million in the coming year, with funds directed toward $5 million in street and road repairs, $10 million in debt service obligations and $3.9 million transferred to a dedicated capital fund.
In the weeds: The police budget is set to increase by $4 million, covering body-worn cameras, AI-powered report writing software, travel and training, and expanded medical and lab services. One-time expenditures include $870,000 for Motorola police radios and $85,500 for a SWAT tactical robot.
The budget also adds an ambulance to the city's fleet after officials said the existing fleet had, on multiple occasions, been fully depleted, forcing the city to borrow units from neighboring Cove communities.
What's next: The city's five-year Capital Improvement Plan totals $195 million, including $23.7 million for the Monroe freeway interchange project. The council is expected to take up formal budget adoption in June.
Briefly
Indio Future Farmers of America (FFA) president, Roberto Sanchez, and vice president, Elizabeth Guerra, sell bouquets outside of Indio High School’s spring musical performance. (Photo: @indioffa)
👩🌾 Indio High School agriculture program to close after this school year
Indio High School's Career Technical Education Agriculture Program will shut down at the end of the current school year due to declining enrollment, Principal Monica Rodriguez announced in a letter to students, staff and families this week.
Members of the Indio City Council responded at their Wednesday meeting, with several expressing a desire to reverse the decision. Councilmember Ben Guitron said he had already contacted a Desert Sands Unified School District board member, who noted only about 30 students had expressed interest in the program for the coming year — too few to justify a full-time teaching position.
Details: Mayor Elaine Holmes said the financial reality of low enrollment was difficult to ignore but added, "I can't imagine not having an FFA program." School officials said they plan to assess and revamp CTE offerings to reflect student interest and future career pathways.
🎸 Skyfest to honor late Coachella Valley musician Skylar Berry
Two downtown Indio music venues will host Skyfest on June 6, an all-day heavy music celebration honoring Skylar Berry, a Coachella Valley musician and transgender rights advocate who passed away in March.
Berry was the vocalist of local band Layer:0, known for grindcore music, “Berry’s intense vocal performance, filled with chaotic screaming, featured lyrics filled with poetic techniques dealing with themes of resistance,“ writes Matt King, local music journalist and friend of Berry.
Featured performers include groups Berry loved and championed including Space in Sound, Day of Peace, Arph, Call me the Boxer, Gxllium, He Films the Clouds, Bronca, Violuminescence, Layer:0, and a tribute to The Fall of Troy.
Details: The event runs 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Music House Indio, and 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Oasis on Miles. A suggested $10 donation at the door will be split between St. Johns Community Health in Indio and ICE Out of CA.
📅 Featured events
State Senator Steve Padilla community town hall
Today | 5:30 p.m. | Indio Gymnastics and Performing Arts Center
State Senator Steve Padilla will host a community town hall for residents to ask questions and discuss local issues. Register online here.
No to Data Centers community meeting
Today | 6 p.m. | CV Collective
Viva La Causa will host a community meeting to share information and organize in opposition to a proposed data center campus in the Coachella Valley.
Community Flower Arrangement Workshop: Mother's Day Bouquet
Today | 6 p.m. | Coachella Valley History Museum
Led by local creative Nicole Trigg, this floral design workshop guides participants through arrangement techniques with all materials included; attendees leave with a completed bouquet. RSVP and pre-payment strongly recommended. Space is limited. ($25 members/$35 non-members)
Indio's Food Truck Fridays
Friday | 5 p.m. | Downtown Indio (Towne St. & Bliss Ave.)
Downtown Indio's Food Truck Fridays features delicious food from various cuisines, music, and more.
Dia de las Madres Campesinas Farmworker Appreciation Celebration
Friday | 6 p.m. | Coachella Public Library
TODEC presents its annual Dia de las Madres Campesinas celebration honoring farmworker mothers, featuring performances by ShoBoy Show, Ballet Folklorico Inagie, and Banda Reyna Del Valle, plus a free dinner and surprises for mothers in attendance.
Aphrodisiac Jacket: A Desert Music Salute
Friday | 8 p.m. | Dune Room
The Dune Room will host Aphrodisiac Jacket, a desert music salute to The Cult, with support from Mighty Jack and Vasoline Tuner. All ages. ($10–$15)
Community 5k Walk/Run
Saturday | 6:30 a.m. | Everbloom Coffee, Downtown Location
Group 5k walk/run in Downtown Indio with a post-run hangout at Everbloom Coffee.
Mercado Indio | Outdoor Vendor Market
Saturday | 9 a.m. | Mercado Indio
A weekly outdoor market with rotating local vendors offering food, drinks, handmade goods, jewelry, vintage items, and gifts. Always pet friendly.
Paint 'n Sip
Saturday | 9 a.m. | 1 Roberta Way
Temalpakh Farm will host a guided paint and sip event led by artist Clara Nieblas, featuring a still life mimosa theme. Ticket price includes supplies, up to two mimosas, a muffin or pastry, and the two-hour painting lesson. Limited to 15 spots. ($45)
Puppy and kitten shower adoption event and supply drive
Saturday | 11 a.m. | The Place
Desert Paws Sanctuary will host a puppy and kitten shower at Chicano Candle Co. featuring adoptable animals and a supply drive. Needed donations include bottles, formula, blankets, toys, and puppy and kitten food.
Morning Yoga
Saturday | 11 a.m. | Indio Library
Join your neighbors for a free morning yoga session at the Indio Library.
Expedition EDM Festival
Saturday | 2 p.m. | Riverside County Fairgrounds
The Deville Society and Quantum EDM will host an outdoor electronic music festival featuring regional artists performing house, bass, techno, drum and bass, and trance. Open to ages 18 and older; advance tickets required, no cash entry at the door. ($10)
Asada Fest
Saturday | 3 p.m. | Downtown Indio
The City of Indio presents the second Annual Asada Fest featuring asada from local restaurants, live performances by Los Cadetes de Linares and Luna Roja, DJ sets, and a free kids zone.
Queen Nation
Saturday | 7 p.m. | Fantasy Springs Resort Casino
Queen Nation with Black Rock Candy will perform at the Rock Yard. The outdoor venue is always free; guests must be 18 years or older.
Mother's Day Sound Bath at Madison Gardens
Sunday | 7:30 a.m. | 48575 Madison Street
Soulzenter will host a donation-based sound bath at Madison Gardens nursery in Indio to mark Mother's Day. Attendees are encouraged to bring a mat and blanket and arrive early.
BROUGHT TO YOU BY
📣 And Finally …
Indio's housing market is offering some breathing room for buyers — if not quite the deals that sellers had in mind.
Driving the news: According to the latest Greater Palm Springs Realtors Desert Housing Report, the median price of a detached home in Indio fell nearly 6% year over year to $618,000, while attached home prices dropped more than 7% to $276,000.
Worth noting: Indio recorded 95 home sales during the three-month period ending in April, nine more than the same period in 2025.
The market: Homes in Indio are sitting longer before finding buyers — an average of 60 days compared to 51 last year, the second-slowest pace in the valley behind Bermuda Dunes.
By comparison, homes in Palm Springs are selling in an average of 43 days, nearly 30% faster.
Zoom out: All nine Coachella Valley cities saw year-over-year price decreases in detached homes, though Indian Wells, La Quinta, and Rancho Mirage posted slight increases in attached home prices. The valley median for detached homes came in at $691,000, down 4.6% from last year.
The bottom line: Inventory in Indio tightened to 397 units from 452 a year ago — less to choose from, and more time to make up your mind.
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