Indio City Council: Fermon, Ortiz to be reappointed to seats due to lack of challengers

Having failed to attract any challengers in the Nov. 8 election, Indio Mayor Waymond Fermon and Mayor Pro Tem Oscar Ortiz will be appointed to continue representing Districts 2 and 4, respectively, for four more years.  

The Indio City Council on Wednesday opted to appoint both men and save an estimated $52,000 that the elections would have cost in total.

"I don't see any need to run an election for two people that are running unopposed if we don't have to. ... I just don't think we (should) waste the money," Councllmember Glenn Miller said, suggesting that the funds saved for city projects instead.

Though the council agreed 3-2 to appoint each candidate, Fermon and Ortiz voted against the move.

Ortiz said having his and Fermon's names on the ballot was important in order to keep residents involved in the election process.

Fermon added that because of the redistricting process conducted in the city earlier this year, he felt having an election would help residents "understand who they report to."

"I understand the points that were made by the council members regarding the finances; however, we are also obligated to some of our constituents who prefer that we are on the ballot and they can see that they're represented," Fermon said.

Councilmember Elaine Holmes said she understood Fermon's and Ortiz's reasoning in wanting to participate in an election, but that saving the $52,000 was at the center of her decision. "Putting it in the pocket of the county, as well, that really draws ire for me," she said, given that the county would require that money to run each election.

Holmes suggested the mayor and mayor pro tem could send out pamphlets to constituents introducing themselves, offering information on how they can be reached, describing their districts and highlighting what they have accomplished during their four years on council and what they have planned. "That will cost a lot less," she said.

Neither Fermon or Ortiz on Wednesday indicated if they would send something like that out their constituents. It was unclear how much such mailings would cost or who would pay for them.

Districts 2 and 4 make up most of the center of the City of Indio. District 2 stretches from the area of Cray Mill Drive to south of Indio Boulevard and District 4 starts from Indio Boulevard, down to the intersection Miles Avenue and Monroe Steet, and extends southwest to the area that includes The Cafe at Shields.

Holmes, who was first elected to council in 2010 and currently represents District 3, is being challenged by first-time candidate Jonathan Becerra.

District 3 covers northeast Indio, extending east to Dillon Road from Jackson Street and from near Avenue 43, at the Terra Lago Golf Club, down to Avenue 48, near South Jackson Park.

Miller, who represents District 1, and Lupe Ramos Amith, who represents District 5, are not up for reelection until next year.

Eliana Perez covers the eastern Coachella Valley. Reach her at eliana.perez@desertsun.com or on Twitter @ElianaPress.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Indio City Council: Fermon, Ortiz to be reappointed to seats