Desert Hot Springs hires new city manager who previously held post in Twentynine Palms

Ani Gasparyan, Palm Springs Desert Sun
Updated ·3 min read
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Frank Luckino will be the new city manager of Desert Hot Springs, the city announced on Tuesday, almost eight months after Luke Rainey resigned the position.

Luckino will begin serving in the role on Nov. 6, according to Mayor Scott Matas. He has been the city manager for Twentynine Palms for over eight years and previously served as the city manager for Blythe for almost two years, according to Linkedin. He was also the finance director for both cities, the city of Desert Hot Springs said in a press release.

Frank Luckino will be Desert Hot Springs' new city manager. He has been the city manager for Twentynine Palms for over eight years and previously served as the city manager for Blythe for almost two years, according to Linkedin.
Frank Luckino will be Desert Hot Springs' new city manager. He has been the city manager for Twentynine Palms for over eight years and previously served as the city manager for Blythe for almost two years, according to Linkedin.

“I was very impressed with Mr. Luckino and I’m really looking forward to seeing the opportunities that come before us with him leading it,” Councilmember Gary Gardner said.

Rainey resigned in mid-February after a closed city council session regarding his annual performance review. Rainey became city manager in 2021 and worked for the city for more than 15 years overall.

Deputy City Manager Doria Wilms had been serving as the interim manager and Assistant City Manager Daniel Porras had been serving as the interim deputy manager. Councilmember Jan Pye said she had to compliment them.

"They hit the ground running. They kept the city going," she said. "You did a lot of stuff, a lot of stuff. And all the staff did it, too, under your tutelage. Thank you."

The manager is effectively the CEO of the city government, reporting to the elected council and overseeing all department heads. Matas said Luckino will receive an annual wage of $235,000, deferred compensation of $12,000 and an auto allowance of $7,200. According to Transparent California, Luckino received a total compensation package from Twentynine Palms of just under $240,000 in 2021.

Matas said the city had 29 applicants for the role.

Luckino was also the assistant general manager and chief financial officer for the Hi-Desert Water District for four years and a councilmember for the town of Yucca Valley for seven years. He has over 30 years of experience in financial affairs and worked for PACE Entertainment, Planet Hollywood International and Gordon Biersch Brewing Company, according to the city of Desert Hot Springs.

The new city manager is taking the helm after Tropical Storm Hilary damaged several roads throughout the Coachella Valley, including several in and by Desert Hot Springs. He will also have to grapple with the city's cannabis taxes and potentially finding revenue streams outside the struggling industry, as the city may permanently reduce cultivation taxes and has temporarily reduced them before to provide financial relief to local businesses.

“Thank you, council, for trusting me. Looking forward to this opportunity," Luckino said. "You know, you said it best with the staff that you have, the leadership that kind of carried you over the last nine months or so and all of the staff that has done a great job for the city. I’m looking forward to working with them, with you, with the community.”

This is a developing story.

Ani Gasparyan covers the western Coachella Valley cities of Desert Hot Springs and Cathedral City. Reach her at ani.gasparyan@desertsun.com.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Desert Hot Springs hires new city manager from Twentynine Palms