Historically low interest rates, pent up demand in the Southern California housing market, and continued escalation of housing costs in the urban areas have all resulted in a high level of residential and commercial growth in Yucca Valley and the Morongo Basin. This growth is responsible for significant increases in infrastructure needs and demand for public services.

 
The Town of Yucca Valley’s annual budget provides the blueprint for meeting these needs within the financial resources that are available to local government. The Town Council regularly revisits its priorities and revises the priorities to be addressed. The goal of the budget preparation process is to ensure that the Town’s spending plan in aligned with the Town Council’s strategic goals and objectives.

Now at the midpoint of a two-year budget, the Town Council is analyzing the extent to which former priorities have been satisfactorily addressed, and considering the current most pressing community needs. The priorities previously listed as the highest priorities include:

 
•  Development of a long-range fiscal action plan
•  Create a long-term plan for land acquisition and development
•  Address the short-term community swimming pool issues
•  Improve and pave publicly maintained roads
•  Investigate dirt road maintenance alternatives
•  Develop plans for flood control improvements
•  Evaluate traffic safety alternatives for Camino del Cielo and State Route 62 intersection
•  Assist in securing tenants for old K-Mart building
•  Evaluate Town energy use and improvement alternatives
•  South side community center project implementation

Several other community needs and issues are regularly under consideration for the Town Council’s “top ten” list. As the Council continues its current review, the following are among the additional issues and priorities to be evaluated:

•  Local/regional animal shelter facility
•  Economic development plan
•  Land banking
•  Legislative agenda
•  Golf course
•  Transportation
•  Public safety
•  Aquatic center
•  General Plan update
•  Alternative fuel and energy
•  Infrastructure financing options
•  Trails Master Plan implementation

The Town Council meets on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month in the Yucca Room of the Yucca Valley Community Center. The public is encouraged to comment on Council priorities and strategic plan. Agendas and minutes are posted on this site.