Happy New Year! 2025 was a prosperous year for Indian Wells, with many momentous achievements and exciting events, both of which were supported by our Council’s leadership and the City’s solid financial footing. In 2025, the City again hosted the BNP Paribas Open and the Epson Tour Championship, events that drew visitors from all over the world. We also hosted exclusive resident events, including holiday celebrations, a wellness week and seasonal parties that reflect the City’s commitment to providing an exceptional lifestyle for all who call Indian Wells home.

Notably, the Indian Wells Golf Resort launched the Players Course redesign last March and completed construction this fall. In December, we proudly welcomed golfers, media and community members to a grand opening celebration for the course, showcasing its reimagined design and refreshed holes. The City of Indian Wells upheld its standing as one of California’s most fiscally healthy and well-managed cities in 2025, maintaining a steadfast commitment to long-term sustainability. In line with this, the City projects approximately $29.4 million in revenue for the General Fund over the next two years. With budgeted expenditures around $24.6 million, Indian Wells anticipates a surplus of approximately $5 million to reinvest in the community.

For a more in-depth look at Indian Wells’ budget and finances, we invite you to watch our new Budget at a Glance video or review the full Budget at a Glance document.

The City also made steady progress on all of our strategic goals in 2025, including:

• Safeguarding the Community: Indian Wells introduced a new motorcycle officer to address traffic enforcement in the community, approved a new fire staffing model at our local fire station to ensure a dedicated Fire Captain is dispatched to each service call to increase patient evaluation, efficiency, operational oversight and safety and remains committed to providing resources to residents through emergency preparedness backpack sand other initiatives.

• Fiscal Responsibility and Sustainability: To ensure fiscal stability, the City maintains transparency in our budget process while actively securing external grant funding to fuel our community’s infrastructure and growth. The City was awarded over $8.2 million in grants in FY 2025-26. 

• Encourage Development and Tourism: Indian Wells has welcomed new executive leadership across our resort partners, bringing fresh expertise to enhance our world-class offerings and drive local economic impact. 

• Investing in Infrastructure and Amenities: The City completed a multitude of infrastructure projects this year to increase resident safety and overall satisfaction, including improving the intersection at Miles Avenue and Washington Street by adding an extended right-turn lane and reshaping and enlarging the corner for the right turn from southbound Washington Street to westbound Miles Avenue, repaving local roads and more. For FY 2026-30, the City has set aside $69,010,876 for Capital Improvement Projects.

• Enhancing Quality of Life: Recent upgrades include new offerings under the Residence Benefit Card program, which features a new virtual card system and physical card for purchase.

• Housing Authority: The City remains dedicated to providing high-quality affordable and senior housing at Mountain View Villas and Indian Wells Villas. We collaborate closely with organizations such as Coachella Valley Association of Governments (CVAG), Housing First, FIND Food Bank, Coachella Valley Rescue Mission and Martha’s Village & Kitchen to deliver a comprehensive network of services that enhance the well-being of our entire community. Indian Wells has committed over $500,000 in FY 2025-26 to support nonprofit organizations delivering essential services throughout the Coachella Valley.

• Indian Wells Golf Resort: Following a nine-month renovation, the Players Course has reopened with enhanced playability and safety features. This investment, in addition to Kestrel Kitchen + Lounge, a local favorite that continues to receive accolades, elevates the golfer experience and is projected to drive significant revenue growth in the years ahead. 2026 is also set to bring the improved Shots in the Night putting course. 

• Various Other City Strategies and Initiatives: Indian Wells continues to work on other initiatives to benefit the community beyond the identified goals.

If you have questions, feel free to call (760) 346-2489 or visit us at City Hall.

Best wishes and Happy New Year,

Dr. Chris Freeland

City Manager