Local & Community
Palm Desert Opens Civic Academy to Residents Curious About City Hall
Palm Desert is now in its third year of running a Civic Academy that takes residents inside the workings of local government, and the city says anyone with curiosity about how cities operate is welcome to apply.
Ryland Penta with the City of Palm Desert helped launch the program, which runs weekly classes covering everything from how the city balances its budget to how departments make day-to-day decisions. "The goal of the Civic Academy is to shape community, build community, foster dynamics between our staff and residents and business owners," Penta said.
The academy walks participants through the past, present, and future of Palm Desert, including how the city funds signature events like Palm Desert Food and Wine, manages public safety contracts, and maintains parks and recreation.
Eileen Lynch, who works with the Parkinson's Resource Organization, recently completed the program and said it changed how she sees the place she calls home. "We got to see the behind the scenes. We got to learn about really great projects that are coming up, and it left me with a deeper understanding of the town I live in," she said.
Penta says you do not have to live in Palm Desert to participate, just have an interest in how local government runs. You can learn more here.
By: NBC Palm Springs
April 16, 2026
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