City staff presented results of ongoing civic engagement on a proposed local living‑wage increase at the Oct. 6 Finance Committee meeting, saying more than 600 people had responded to an English/Spanish survey distributed through city and partner channels.

Community Development Director Alisa Montoya and Office of Economic Development Director Johanna Nelson summarized survey findings and public outreach. Montoya told the committee "nearly three‑quarters of respondents support raising the living wage," and that respondents consistently ranked housing costs as their top financial strain.

Key findings

- Support level: 63% of respondents "strongly support" raising the living wage to $17.50 with potential annual incremental increases; 7% "somewhat support."
- Perceived adequacy: About 80% of respondents said the current $15 hourly living wage does not meet Santa Fe's cost of living.
- Respondent profile: Approximately 77% of respondents live in Santa Fe; about 32% reported household income of $100,000 or more; 11% of respondents identified as business owner/manager.
- Cost pressures: Housing dominated free‑text answers as the primary obstacle for living/working locally; child care and transportation were also commonly cited.

Montoya and Nelson said the survey remains open through Oct. 10 and the city has conducted multiple public meetings and outreach sessions. The City’s Economic Development staff said they distributed the survey to a list of about 10,000 subscribers and coordinated outreach with community partners.

Councilor concerns and staff responses

Councilor Faulkner expressed skepticism that a $2 hourly increase (to $17.50) would substantially improve housing affordability for many residents, noting that for a full‑time worker the increase would amount to roughly $100–$320 a month depending on hours and taxes. "A $100 a week is not gonna move the barrier for people," Faulkner said, and asked how the city would pair wage increases with housing policy and business assistance.

Rod Gold, senior adviser, recalled that a post‑ordinance study following Santa Fe's original living‑wage ordinance found many feared harms did not materialize. "That study was completed, and it found that it didn't," Gold said, summarizing the UNM business‑school review commissioned after the prior local increase.

Directors Nelson and Montoya also described complementary work to support small businesses, including a recently launched Small Business Navigator program run with New Mexico State University's Arrowhead program to provide one‑on‑one technical assistance and referrals for local businesses.

What’s next

Survey responses will be summarized after the Oct. 10 closing date; Montoya said the city will share updated slides and a raw data export with council members. The Economic Development Department said it will also incorporate results from a parallel Chamber of Commerce survey and present preliminary combined findings to the governing body later in the month.

Speakers quoted in this article spoke at the Oct. 6 Finance Committee meeting; presentation slides and the survey remain with city staff.