Indio directs federal grant funds toward park upgrades, meals for seniors, and homeless services

The single largest expenditure in the plan is $514,000 for the Miles Avenue Park Improvement Project, which will fund repaving of the parking lot and demolition of the Berger Building.

The Indio City Council on Wednesday unanimously approved a plan to spend more than $828,000 in federal grant funds during the coming fiscal year, directing the bulk of the money toward infrastructure improvements at Miles Avenue Park and a smaller portion toward social services for low-income residents — while dropping several nonprofits that received funding last year.

The money comes from the federal Community Development Block Grant program, which provides cities with direct annual allocations that can be used for a range of purposes — from fixing sidewalks to funding food programs — as long as the spending primarily benefits low- and moderate-income residents.

The total anticipated budget includes a new annual allocation of $740,169 — slightly less than the $750,000 projected in the staff report — plus $88,000 in unspent funds carried over from the prior year, bringing the total anticipated spending to approximately $828,000.

The city conducted two community outreach events in preparation for the annual report. Residents who participated in those events raised concerns primarily about street lighting, resources for homeless residents, and housing, according to the staff report.

The single largest expenditure in the plan is $514,000 for the Miles Avenue Park Improvement Project, which will fund repaving of the parking lot and demolition of the Berger Building. The carryover funds will also be directed to that project.

Councilmembers made clear they want the project done right. Councilmember Glenn Miller raised concerns that the demolition budget may not be sufficient given the building’s condition.

“It’s in terrible shape, we should just be done with it. Knock it down,” Miller said. “If we’re gonna do the parking lot, make sure that it’s really got everything it needs — lights, everything else,” the councilmember said. “If we need to put extra money into it, I think we should come back and ask for some more money.”

$112,000 will go toward public services funding which will be split among three organizations: the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission will receive $53,000 for its food service and shelter meal program; the Inland Fair Housing and Mediation Board will receive $35,000 for fair housing education and landlord-tenant mediation services, which HUD requires the city to provide; and the Indio Senior Center will receive $24,000 for its weekend meal program for seniors.

Mayor Elaine Holmes raised concerns about whether the senior meal funding was keeping pace with rising costs.

“I like taking care of my seniors,” Holmes said. “I know everything’s going through the roof, and I think making sure that some of the folks…that may not even get a full meal every day, that we take care of them.”

A staff member responded that city staff is in regular contact with the Senior Center to maximize how those funds are used, particularly on weekends.

The proposed funding list is a departure from the prior year’s spending plan. In fiscal year 2025-2026, the city distributed public services dollars among five organizations. Martha’s Village and Kitchen, which received $43,000 last year for emergency shelter case management, is not included in the new plan. FIND Food Bank, which received $53,500 last year for food distribution and CalFresh outreach, also does not appear. The SAFE Family Justice Center, which received $10,000 last year, is similarly absent from the proposed allocations.

An additional $123,000 will be set aside for program administration, covering personnel costs, internal service fees, and grant management and reporting requirements set by HUD.

The plan must be submitted to HUD for approval by May 15.