Meet New Palm Springs City Manager
Justin Clifton
His first day at Palm Springs City Hall was Monday, April 5, so PSILOVEYOU sits down with Clifton to learn more about him and his goals PSILOVEYOU: Why did you choose to come to Palm Springs, and what is it about our city that drew you here? JUSTIN CLIFTON: My wife and I visited Palm Springs before I decided to apply for the position. The first thing we noticed was the many charming restaurants, niche markets, beautiful desert landscape, and quality architecture. But as we looked deeper, we also found a diverse, open, and engaged community. We encountered friendly people everywhere we went. And we could feel a sense of community pride and spirit that was infectious. People we met would freely gush about the high quality of life and their love for Palm Springs. But what really sealed the deal for me was getting to know the City Council and becoming familiar with the challenges and opportunities facing Palm Springs now and into the future. I watched Council meetings where citizens engaged actively. I saw a Council deeply committed to build an even brighter future, and a talented City team dedicated to help make it happen. Long before the selection process was over, my wife and I felt strongly we were meant to be in Palm Springs. And now I’m just so grateful to be here. Tell us a little about yourself. What is your background in government and city management? I served as city manager in Sedona for six years. Some of my accomplishments include spearheading the creation of a master transportation plan, including road projects, bike/pedestrian improvements, the creation of a mass transit program, developing Sedona’s first-ever economic development, affordable housing, and sustainability programs, and partnering with the chamber
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of commerce and tourism bureau to pioneer a sustainable tourism plan. I also expanded the development of a national, awardwinning resident engagement program. Prior to Sedona, I served for two and a half years as the city manager of Delta, Colorado, and as the town manager of Bayfield, Colorado for five years. I graduated from Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado, where I earned a master’s in political science and public policy from the University of Colorado in Denver. When I think about my own life, I benefitted immeasurably from good public schools, community parks and facilities, social programs, job opportunities, and countless other things that are the product of community-building. As I advanced through college, I also found a passion for big questions about what is right, fair, and just, and how institutions of government can have such a huge impact on people’s lives. And it all came together when I took my first position working in local government. My love of public service has only grown over the years. I find this work to be dynamic, challenging, and deeply meaningful. Like in many cities across the nation, residents, businesses, and tourism in Palm Springs have been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. How do you foresee the road to recovery? I believe the city has taken significant steps when it comes to paving a path to economic recovery. So much of what we are doing now is fostering partnerships with agencies and organizations in order to put programs in place now so we can help those struggling to get back on their feet.
Here’s just some of what has been implemented in Palm Springs so far: The Mayor’s COVID-19 Task Force of community leaders was created to address public health and economic impacts, and to establish protections and guidelines for residents and businesses during COVID so they can stay safe and healthy. The City spent almost $48,000 on K-rails for local restaurants, allowing them to expand onto Palm Canyon Drive at no cost. A new $1 million Small Business Financial Aid Program was instituted, which awards $10,000, zero% forgivable loans to struggling businesses that stay open at least six months. City Council approved an eviction moratorium to help local businesses impacted by the pandemic. A new $500,000 Rental Assistance Program for Palm Springs households whose income does not exceed 80% of the median income in Riverside County was established. The program provides one-time rental assistance of up to $3,500 per household to cover two or three months of rent. In addition, the city is diligently working to bring more affordable housing projects to Palm Springs. We partnered with the County of Riverside to fund COVID-19 testing and a new vaccination site to the Palm Springs Convention Center. We partnered with FIND Food Bank of the Coachella Valley for free mobile pantry food distributions twice monthly
