Palm Springs city government loves doling out your tax dollars so much that they are now giving cash to businesses that are not even operating.
As KESQ reports, The city gave $32,000 to Mama Ola’s Soul Food restaurant, which according to nearby businesses, has not been open for years and has a total zero Yelp reviews from customers.
“This restaurant was open when they did receive the money, they closed not too long afterwards,” Palm Springs City Manager David Ready told KESQ.
The media has been looking into incentive programs in the city of Palm Springs after noticing awfully cozy ties between Palm Springs Mayor Steve Pougnet and the developer of The Hacienda Cantina.
Whatever the case may be, the city admits it goofed (but hey – it is just your tax dollars, amirite?). Via KESQ:
When News Channel 3 asked why tax payer dollars were released without proof the business was up and running, Ready said city staff misunderstood some of the documents Mama Ola’s submitted. Those documents were supposed to include proof the work was complete and contractors were paid.
“Staff mistakenly looked at some of this documentation and that’s been corrected and that’s not going to happen again,” Ready said. “But in the meantime we have asked for the money back or it has to be documented that he paid the contractor.”
Oops.
