Two competitive races for the Indio City Council could make it one of this year's most interesting cities to watch.
Incumbents Waymond Fermon and Elaine Holmes must fend off challengers Gloria Hernandez and Andrea Dolan Bouchard, respectively, to retain their seats.
Hernandez, who worked for the city for 25 years before retiring in 2025, notably received the endorsement of two sitting councilmembers, Glenn Miller and Ben Guitron.
Dolan Bouchard, who campaigns by the name AJ, is a criminal defense attorney at the Dolan Law Offices in Indio. She also teaches at the Desert Trail Academy College of Law, an unaccredited law school based in Indio that is recognized by the State Bar of California.
Holmes, who is currently the mayor of Indio, has been on
the council since 2010. Fermon was first elected in 2018.
In another race, outgoing councilmember Oscar Ortiz will be replaced by either Jonathan Becerra or Felipe Ortiz. The Desert Sun has profiled that contestin a separate story.
To get to know the candidates, The Desert Sun sent a questionnaire to each one. Compare their answers below.
What is one recent decision made by the current city council that you would have handled differently, and why?
Waymond Fermon (District 2)
Over the past several years, Indio has been on a strong upward trajectory because of thoughtful policymaking by the City Council and strong execution by our city manager and staff. That does not mean every decision is easy or that we always agree, but I stand behind my record and the decisions I have made. I believe continuity, experience, and integrity in leadership are especially important as we build on the progress our community has worked for many years to achieve.
Gloria Hernandez (District 2)
One recent decision I would have handled differently involves the City’s approach to large events at residential properties, including the Zenda Estate and other properties along Los Palos Road.
I support events that bring visitors and economic activity to Indio, but I also believe we need to protect the quality of life of the residents who live next door. Residents have raised legitimate concerns about traffic, speeding, parking, noise and safety.
I would have pushed for stronger and more practical conditions before approving these types of events, including clear requirements for traffic and parking management, security, noise control, and enforcement. I also believe the City should be willing to adjust the conditions when we see that something is not working.
After 25 years working for the City, I know that putting rules on paper is only part of the job. We also must make sure those rules can be enforced and that residents have a meaningful way to report problems and be heard.
I don't believe we have to choose between economic activity and quality of life. We can support responsible events while making sure the residents who live in these neighborhoods are not paying the price.
Elaine Holmes (District 3)
When we adopted our most recent city budget, I would have proposed putting even more money into our reserves. I supported the budget because it funds important services and improvements while strengthening our financial position. Looking back, I believe we could have taken that opportunity to build an even larger cushion for unexpected expenses or an economic slowdown.
As a small business owner, I know how important it is to prepare during good years. Strong reserves help protect police and fire services, maintain our streets, and keep essential programs operating when revenues fall. That additional financial security would better protect residents and taxpayers over the long term.
Andrea Dolan Bouchard (District 3)
I would have recommended earlier engagement with developers to discuss the expectation of the community as it relates to the character of the Oasis Project and consideration of the anticipated community impact concerns.
A collaborative dialogue could have aided in the request and preparation of a mitigation assessment study to reduce the impact of the projects development on the community.
There is no doubt that a project of that size will have an impact on the community, however, planning for the mitigation of that impact allows for responsible growth.
The city has limited resources. If you had to choose, what would be your top budget priority and what would receive less funding so that priority could be funded?
Andrea Dolan Bouchard (District 3)
Core infrastructure and public safety should remain a top priority in the City of Indio. Indio is one of the fastest growing cities in Southern California. Planning for responsible growth and maintaining essential public services like police, fire and medical response are critical to the health and welfare of our community.
There may be an opportunity to minimally reduce multiple line item projects, allowing for limited individualized impact in an effort to fund the priority project.
Alternatively, if we look to business and economic growth there may be an opportunity to incentivize existing, well-performing local businesses to expand, thereby increasing our available tax revenue to fund the priority projects.
We are often too quick to see an issue as having only one option, rather than looking for alternative solutions. It is imperative we be willing to think outside the box and look for a fresh approach.
Elaine Holmes (District 3)
Public safety would be my top budget priority. Residents deserve well-trained police officers and firefighters, reliable emergency response, and safe neighborhoods. As Indio grows, we must ensure those services keep pace. To protect that funding, I would reduce discretionary administrative spending, including nonessential travel and outside consulting.
Gloria Hernandez (District 2)
If resources are limited, my top budget priority would be public safety. Residents should feel safe in their neighborhoods, and our police department needs the staffing, training, equipment and resources necessary to do its job effectively. Especially because safe neighborhoods attract more businesses and make the business environment in Indio more attractive, which has the potential to increase resources.
To fund that priority, I would first look for ways to better manage the money we already have before cutting essential community services. One area I would examine is the timing of budget encumbrances. If funds are encumbered months before they are actually needed, those funds can be tied up in the City's financial system and limit our ability to respond to current needs.
I would want staff to regularly review significant encumbrances, particularly during the mid-year budget review, and determine whether they are still necessary, appropriately timed, or can be released. The goal is not to avoid commitments the City has already made, but to make sure we are not unnecessarily tying up funds that could be available for higher-priority needs.
I would also look at lower-priority projects, operational efficiencies, grants and other outside funding before reducing essential services. My approach is simple: stay within the budget, protect core services, and make sure taxpayer dollars are available when the community actually needs them.
Waymond Fermon (District 2)
If Indio faced significant financial constraints, I would first stop nonessential spending and lower-priority projects before considering reductions to our workforce or core public services.
My first priority would be protecting our employees and the essential services our residents depend on. Our employees are the backbone of this organization, and responsible budgeting means protecting both our financial stability and the people who keep our city running.
Indio is in a strong fiscal position today because we have worked hard to make responsible decisions. I am running for re-election to protect that progress.
If elected, what is one promise you are making to voters that they can use to evaluate your performance at the end of your term?
Elaine Holmes (District 3)
I will work to grow Indio Business Connect within my next term, giving local entrepreneurs a clear place to turn for help opening, operating, or expanding a business in our city.
As a small business owner, I understand how frustrating it can be to navigate permits, requirements, and different departments. This program connects business owners with city staff and available resources, helping them understand the process, and identify obstacles we can address.
When our small businesses succeed, our city succeeds. I will continue to advocate for them and ensure the city helps them achieve long-term success.
Andrea Dolan Bouchard (District 3)
My promise to the voters is accessibility to your leadership and inclusivity in representation. Indio's strength lies in its diversity. I am committed to advocating for every resident and ensuring that no neighborhood is overlooked.
Waymond Fermon (District 2)
During my time on the Indio City Council, we have revitalized Downtown Indio with over $200 million in public and private investment, delivered the Avenue 44 bridge and over 2,000 affordable housing units, built a new Public Safety Campus and City Hall, and made major investments in electrical capacity and reliability that will allow our city to continue to grow.
Furthermore, we have protected our environment and land by placing moratoriums on storage facilities, gas stations, and data centers, with a permanent data center ban pending.
My work is not finished. We must continue improving transportation and infrastructure, strengthening our economy, supporting public safety, expanding educational opportunities, and addressing homelessness.
I was born at JFK Hospital, graduated from Indio High School, and raised my children here. Now, with a grandchild on the way, my commitment to Indio is deeply personal because my family and I live here too.
My promise is to protect that progress and keep Indio moving forward with integrity and experienced leadership. Proven leadership and continuity matter because Indio isn't just the city I serve. It's our home.
Gloria Hernandez (District 2)
If elected, one promise I’m making to voters is that I will measure my performance by whether we are making progress on two things that matter to our community: reducing homelessness and supporting the businesses that have helped build Indio.
At the end of my term, I want voters to be able to ask: Did we make a measurable difference in homelessness, and did we create better ways to connect and support our local businesses?
I would like to establish a program that brings longtime Indio business owners together with newer businesses to share their experience, knowledge and connections. Many of our long-time businesses have been part of this community for decades. They have a lot to offer, and I also want them to know that they are valued and appreciated as Indio continues to grow.
To me, growth should not mean leaving people behind. It should mean bringing people together, creating opportunities for dialogue, and learning from those who have already invested in our community.
Those are the kinds of results I want voters to be able to look back on at the end of my term and hold me accountable for.
Sam Morgen covers local government for The Desert Sun. Reach him at smorgen@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Why Indio City Council has become one of the most competitive races
