[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6086076,"mediaKeyId","2900215-90c4f5eff301bd2b1fab3469701bef6a","parentId",2900215,"title","Committee approves Blue Cross Blue Shield administrative contract; staff, unions asked for outreach plan","audioSeconds",4269,"startMs",2482000,"endMs",6751000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2900215-90c4f5eff301bd2b1fab3469701bef6a&start=2482&end=6751","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2900215-90c4f5eff301bd2b1fab3469701bef6a/thumbnail_2482000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6086076/Santa-Fe/Santa-Fe-County/New-Mexico/Committee-approves-Blue-Cross-Blue-Shield-administrative-contract-staff-unions-asked-for-outreach-plan","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6086076-160cf6f71848e05f353dabde55917075/orig.mp4?Expires=1771085705&Signature=PHmXohUTfl-oElIdk~JXF29LoCqIub0l3Tbeehs4nmeaAOOtgicCI1I2Wlu-VM~UveSivVK21Z0wlc4MDUaoIRPJ9ymiqMwlNHYSV6sp6pPmKCd0dWpFBFvZnih~0TGXS91Lhufgtx6u6LXi6OPXfNbOdFedgNJe~zhJ1gagp1OwGtA5e2BTToeIi6StmokBq92dJhsV5pWX9AI0aB0y4VUhZMXVMHg~k8h~DsI11SCUV9k72p57TUK8bwKTfQ649pRM99qOlXzweFfcEYQGxk74Bb9tlQ712U0ZGJpKFDNhe0YJhNMao2UIz4gygCYOob5E1EhAoeQvNr8H5YgEAg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Santa Fe, NM","date","2025-04-08T13:09:56Z","article","The Santa Fe Finance Committee on April 7 approved a four‑year administrative services contract with Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Mexico to administer the city’s self‑funded employee health plan, including medical, dental and vision benefits.

Alvin Valdez, Benefits and Wellness manager, told the committee the change came after an RFP using a best‑value procurement approach and that the city’s plan design would not change under the new administrator. “At the heart of this, it’s about taking care of the people who take care of our city,” Valdez said, describing the award of the tentative contract to Blue Cross following the evaluation.

Aon actuary Trey Sarsfield presented financial projections and said the Blue Cross proposal showed lower fixed administrative costs, stronger network discounts and better Rx rebate terms relative to other offers. Aon projected a plan cost that was roughly 3–3.7% below the city’s current budgeted number; one option staff proposed would maintain the city’s budgeted employer contribution and provide employees a one‑payperiod premium holiday (medical only) worth a larger annual employee‑side savings than a 3% across‑the‑board cut.

Blue Cross vice president of account management Marlene Baca addressed network continuity and transition matters. She said Blue Cross’s statewide network includes about 97% of hospitals nationally and a high share of New Mexico providers; she said disruption was expected principally around services within the Presbyterian system in certain counties and that Blue Cross would work with the city to provide transition‑of‑care support for affected employees.

Committee members pressed staff on how many employees would see provider disruption and how the city would communicate and assist employees who might have out‑of‑network providers. Aon representative Dawn Montano said the bidder analysis showed roughly 97.7% of providers used by city members were in Blue Cross’s network; she said about 190 employees live in Bernalillo or Sandoval counties where some Presbyterian services might require special handling. The committee asked for robust outreach, 1:1 assistance and in‑person sessions during open enrollment.

A motion to approve the administrative contract passed on roll call. Committee members and unions participated in the RFP process; staff said they will provide the governing body and committee with the presentations and additional data requested during the discussion.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Finance Committee Meeting 4/7/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Finance Committee approved April 7 a four‑year administrative services contract with Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Mexico to administer the city’s self‑funded health, dental and vision plans; staff said plan designs will not change.","taxTitle","Santa Fe, Santa Fe County, New Mexico","taxId",2727,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6086081,"Committee approves $300,000 contract with UNM for entrepreneurship accelerator",485,2043000,2528000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2900215-90c4f5eff301bd2b1fab3469701bef6a&start=2043&end=2528","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2900215-90c4f5eff301bd2b1fab3469701bef6a/thumbnail_2043000.jpg","/articles/6086081/Santa-Fe/Santa-Fe-County/New-Mexico/Committee-approves-300000-contract-with-UNM-for-entrepreneurship-accelerator","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6086081-b4bae45d016bd1ce0335405ccb27795e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771085705&Signature=Pm2e2lMr~Cxid26gnN2ie2s0esoeNFrgb51U3VZr8eADR4R5hh5PsBqmKQ5a6I7aNL2At52MEaCdBzKZVN-Rur8OUoGHQeDId46Cuh5ss03RVfXUpDT0iV4WAWmttcNSFcdwcBDWDa82Fght0zU4fSjBwd4SnyqOYfM8ALwBA3BWh6qp0jRCXNzgArXqhk16ZHvEXzrTU6OQrUDWm6NTnDGe4pKn~Es0V1bdhEB9n4wTqNEM0X6AEq7-x1aOZ7RQZN4zuOg0X8tptwohs5Tzj5rIJHN8GrGNL3BvgacWgiC3Oc7Al1HZrhX3v~rn-RclJHPN0AmVRwY1uzrvLxlAfw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Finance Committee voted April 7 to award a two‑year, $300,000 contract to the University of New Mexico Anderson School Center for Responsible Entrepreneurship to provide entrepreneurship support, training and to administer an accelerator program in Santa Fe.

Johanna Nelson of the Office of Economic Development and Eric Renz Whitmore, economic development specialist, introduced the item and Professor Rob Del Campo (joining online) described the center’s approach. Del Campo said his program focuses on “responsible business” — sustainability, environmental and community issues — and that over two years it had worked with about 42 businesses in Santa Fe and Northern New Mexico and launched 24 new businesses.

Councilor Lindell and others asked for more complete program performance data, including participant lists, named business outcomes and a clearer cost‑per‑participant breakdown. “We need a much more detailed explanation of what we’re doing,” Lindell said, requesting that staff supply more specific outcome information and details about who runs the program (faculty plus local business mentors).

Staff said previous accelerator investments exist and that the UNM program has been partially funded by the university and private donors; the requested contract would cover a portion of the program’s operating costs. A motion to approve the contract carried; several councilors recorded support but asked that the contractor and city provide a fuller packet of outcome measures to the committee.","The Finance Committee approved a two‑year, $300,000 general services contract with the University of New Mexico Anderson School’s Center for Responsible Entrepreneurship to run an accelerator program; councilors requested more detailed outcome data and participant lists before future funding decisions.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6086086,"Finance committee approves $794,164 Lodgers Tax transfer for arts, Garson feasibility",225,1753000,1978000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2900215-90c4f5eff301bd2b1fab3469701bef6a&start=1753&end=1978","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2900215-90c4f5eff301bd2b1fab3469701bef6a/thumbnail_1753000.jpg","/articles/6086086/Santa-Fe/Santa-Fe-County/New-Mexico/Finance-committee-approves-794164-Lodgers-Tax-transfer-for-arts-Garson-feasibility","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6086086-4b2fac4689b93f1c04ee5408b199076c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771085705&Signature=JlZ~KBvzIKWqDmUp2Yvm3xCzSMnYOPVWxjtbBKPQqpwAzlPyL9~eMuXSCTUJdWoVVQhv6qlOyvMGzGileXX9mSLZKY8W2sGLzoshFdefwsmiokqRdUjvOQEaGB4MGnOGoaMPJ~i7zE0pT6vD7yrIJdhPDdMBOqvbqGFy2-m8AWSLa3D-zdgxL~RH3N3EUbjaqkeKkjEBr1Zvw6rZCcuczDJEbTdTFkGtyhz4xK6-YBbl1wqy-VSF-gnjEi-d6zZ5gf3I9IG8bUr7cUBCYfDEBED8Sqw~5O3bKUH4w9pfxvbn0w5lzISNxgeIAbwCpsIlw9FOHkLQeYkRq526-lvWXw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Santa Fe Finance Committee on April 7 approved a budget amendment resolution to allocate $794,164 from the Lodgers Tax Fund balance to the Arts and Culture Department’s FY2025 budget for ongoing arts initiatives and a feasibility study for the Greer Garson Theatre.

Chelsea Johnson, Arts and Culture director, presented the proposal and committee members asked for a more detailed, line‑item breakdown. “I would like to see a budgetary distribution of what it is to each 1 of those,” Councilor Lindell said during the hearing, asking staff to provide a clearer allocation among sponsorships, consulting, advertising and capital items.

In background remarks staff cited uses including sponsorship of cultural events, inventory and disposition work for equipment at Garson Studios, public programming, advertising tied to Santa Fe’s UNESCO Creative Cities twentieth anniversary and a Greer Garson feasibility study. Johnson said she would provide the committee a project‑level breakdown after the meeting.

A motion to approve the budget amendment passed on roll call. Committee members recorded the vote as a yes from members present; Councilor Faulkner stepped out during the roll call and was excused until she returned.","The committee approved a budget amendment to allocate $794,164 from the Lodgers Tax Fund to the Arts and Culture Department for FY25, funding ongoing arts initiatives and a feasibility study for the Greer Garson Theatre; council members requested a detailed breakdown of the proposed spending.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6086090,"Finance committee approves $550,236 OpenGov e‑procurement contract",1311,545000,1856000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2900215-90c4f5eff301bd2b1fab3469701bef6a&start=545&end=1856","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2900215-90c4f5eff301bd2b1fab3469701bef6a/thumbnail_545000.jpg","/articles/6086090/Santa-Fe/Santa-Fe-County/New-Mexico/Finance-committee-approves-550236-OpenGov-eprocurement-contract","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6086090-a8ca5e8121ef4b82c69012904e3d8da3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771085705&Signature=SXVlU8e9phXhySq5KNjhGnGdbwUiGlhyFjL635MNYBuQUoZivwpNxbacXETL7Eg29t~A8FYHijLtNSK~FoZIkBMPzqIcvpglJF8qCyKLq340A6IqiEFAFotSMgJiGtb0rZ~G9C19TYQcTyQbrS~hS-MBa9ybFMDLVUXlINgkaVCJy86YWdYf-ubn0iSokYXXtGJ~wwKeqx1bCi43I3kk8qYqAAyqmuqXJ3MMYy80fL2NqW~TpIa~sxoJZEK7X4VQbS7mwpLolRvlZhOmGzgvIRvuyc5VHKlc7wlilc8DycxSyE6CAyg8ChLfZvIrmMsqlfrEZhYXgcKjGxeVwQG17g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Santa Fe Finance Committee on April 7 approved a five‑year, $550,236.73 contract with Virtosoft LLC to purchase and implement OpenGov’s e‑procurement solution and implementation services, Finance staff said.

Committee members and purchasing staff said the software is expected to speed procurement and shift some vendor support work from city staff to the vendor’s customer‑service team. “OpenGov is, I’d say, best in class,” said Travis Dutton Laden, purchasing officer, describing vendor features that he said would reduce back‑and‑forth on solicitations and let vendors get direct help from OpenGov when uploading proposals.

Committee chair Romero Wirth and Councilor Cassett led the consent‑agenda approval that included the contract. Staff said the city has experienced recurring problems with the bid module currently in Tyler Munis, including an outage the day of an RFP deadline. With OpenGov, Dutton Laden said, vendors will be able to contact the provider directly for first‑line help and the system includes templates and an AI‑assisted scope‑writing feature to speed requests.

Director of Finance (acting) Director Osterholm and procurement staff told the committee that OpenGov would not replace Munis as the city’s system of record. The city would continue to put finalized procurement transactions into Munis; an API or additional Munis module would be needed for direct integration. Absent that integration, staff said, some information transfer would be manual at least initially.

Committee members pressed on training and continuity with Tyler/Munis. Dutton Laden and Director Osterholm said training materials, videos and Zoom/in‑person sessions will be provided and OpenGov will assist in training. Staff estimated implementation would begin after governing‑body approval and take about three to six months to roll out.

The motion to approve the contract carried on roll call by members present. The motion and approval were recorded during the committee meeting.","The Santa Fe Finance Committee approved a five‑year, $550,236.73 contract with Virtosoft LLC to purchase and implement OpenGov e‑procurement software; staff said it should reduce vendor support burdens and shorten procurement timelines, and implementation is expected in three to six months.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee approves Blue Cross Blue Shield administrative contract; staff, unions asked for outreach plan

Committee approves $300,000 contract with UNM for entrepreneurship accelerator

Finance committee approves $794,164 Lodgers Tax transfer for arts, Garson feasibility

Finance committee approves $550,236 OpenGov e‑procurement contract