State Audit Clears Palm Desert Redevelopment Agency

An audit of Palm Desert's Redevelopment Agency came back "clean,'' a city official announced today.

"The result of the audit is clean,'' City Manager John M. Wohlmuth said at Thursday's City Council Meeting.

Palm Desert was among 18 redevelopment agencies scrutinized as part of a statewide examination on whether the RDAs operate legally and effectively or should be disbanded.

State Controller John Chiang said the review was aimed to determine how RDA funds are used and the extent to which they comply with laws governing their activities.

The review followed a proposal by Gov. Jerry Brown to disband the agencies to help balance the state’s budget.

Wohlmuth said the city submitted four projects for the review, including pictures that showed the properties before and after construction.

"We are pleased with the result of the audit,'' he said.

Redevelopment funds are supposed to be used to eliminate blight in cities.