The Coachella Valley Public Cemetery District (CVPCD) announced it has received $57,512 in funding, which it plans to use for needed infrastructure projects including road repaving and landscape improvements. The funding is made available from a $100 million allocation provided by the State Legislature and Governor Gavin Newsom in the 2021-2022 State Budget.
“The CVPCD is in the midst of a historic investment cycle for our grounds,” says CVPCD General Manager Joshua Bonner. “During the 2021-2022 fiscal year the District has planned investments of over half a million dollars in needed road repairs, irrigation and landscape upgrades, and modernizing equipment.”
The Coachella Valley Public Cemetery District is a California Independent Special District established in 1927. It serves the needs of residents from Rancho Mirage to Desert Center, one of the largest cemetery districts in California, providing affordable interment options for families in their time of loss. The cemetery has performed over 21,000 interments since its opening.
CVPCD Board Chair Ernesto Rosales pointed to the significance that additional funding has made towards recent investments. “The current round of funding, combined with a Proposition 1 Grant received earlier this year for $54,100, is aiding significant improvements within our cemetery. The Board of Trustees is committed to maintaining a cemetery that honors the legacy of our community, we are grateful for these additional funds to help accomplish that work.”
This funding arrives after special districts across California experienced budget and staff cuts necessitated as a result of the COVID pandemic. Throughout 2020 and 2021, California’s special districts provided essential services to their local communities, maintained a large portion of the state’s critical infrastructure, and employed thousands of front-line workers, but initially received none of the COVID relief funding available to cities and counties.
“Special districts are addressing our biggest statewide challenges, all at the local level,” said Neil McCormick, CEO of the California Special Districts Association (CSDA). We applaud Governor Newsom and our Legislature for recognizing this and responding to our requests for partnership. Special districts make a difference throughout California and this funding will make a difference in the communities special districts serve.”
Statewide, more than 2,000 independent special districts across the state serve the needs of all 40 million Californians at some level, and more than 60 percent of these local agencies provide specialized services to a disadvantaged community.
