# Mayoral Position Town Hall Meeting | October 19 2026

The City of Palm Springs held the seventh scheduled community town hall on October 19, 2026, to gather input on whether to retain the rotating mayor selected from the City Council or return to a directly elected citywide mayor. The working group reviewed the city’s government structure and history, including the 2018 change to district elections, and discussed possible elected-mayor arrangements, such as term length, council voting power, and whether the position would add a council seat or change the number of districts. No vote or procurement action occurred. The discussion identified the mayor’s current annual compensation as approximately $49,000 and council members’ compensation as $42,000; a possible additional administrative cost was described as a preliminary estimate, not a proposed expenditure or approved budget allocation.

Public comments reflected differing views: some speakers supported a citywide elected mayor for continuity and broader representation, while others favored the current system, citing concerns about representation, election dynamics, and the perceived need for an additional mayoral role. The working group said it would review meeting feedback and survey responses, consult with attorneys on the legal viability of ideas—including a potential ballot measure if community feedback supports one—and report findings to the Council. The survey was scheduled to close October 29, and the group had not decided whether to hold additional meetings. No procurement-related activity was identified.

**Jurisdictions:** sled
**Published:** October 19, 2026

### Sources
- [Mayoral Position Town Hall Meeting | October 19 2026](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9zneP5o_Nk) - City of Palm Springs