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Committee approves ballot resolution to restrict mayor’s tie vote; debate continues over veto authority
Summary
Sponsoring councilors advanced a resolution to submit a charter amendment asking voters whether the mayor should stop routinely voting except to break ties; committee approved placing the question on the Nov. 4, 2025 ballot amid debate over sequencing and whether to add mayoral veto authority.
The City of Santa Fe Quality of Life Committee voted to forward a resolution proposing a charter amendment to the Nov. 4, 2025 local election that would limit the mayor’s authority to vote to breaking tie votes.
The resolution, sponsors said, originated as a recommendation from the Charter Review Commission’s 2023 report. Councilor Alma Castro, Councilor Michael Garcia and Councilor Pilar Faulkner sponsored the item and explained the change is meant to adjust the balance between the city’s executive and legislative functions. “This legislation is coming straightforward from the Charter Review Commission’s recommendations,” Councilor Garcia said, referencing the commission’s report.
Councilor Jamie Cassette, who pulled the item for discussion, said she opposed the proposal. Cassette said she fears the change would allow a mayor to avoid publicly stating positions on difficult issues and expressed concern the proposal does not create a full separation of powers because the mayor is not required to sign or veto legislation under the existing charter. “I do not think that the mayor should be able to get out of having to publicly state where they stand on issues, especially really tough issues,” Cassette said.
Councilor Garcia said he is open to adding mayoral veto authority in a separate amendment to create a fuller separation of powers and discussed the practical challenges of sequencing multiple charter questions. City staff explained that changes to the caption and ballot language have timing requirements: items slated for the November local election would need to be finalized and delivered to the clerk’s office by Aug. 26 to meet county deadlines. City Clerk Marcy Iannarino reviewed the charter’s Article 10 provisions on amendment and described how changes to captions and ballot language would be processed.
The committee approved the resolution by roll call. Recorded votes were: Alma Castro — Yes; Amanda Chavez — Yes; Michael Garcia — Yes; Pilar Faulkner — Yes; Jamie Cassette — No. The motion passed and the item will proceed toward governing-body and election-office deadlines; staff noted further drafting and possible subsequent amendments could be pursued to address veto authority or other structural changes to the charter.
Councilors and staff repeatedly described the issue as part of a larger review of the city’s balance of powers and said additional work will be needed if the governing body wishes to pursue veto authority or a more comprehensive separation of executive and legislative duties.
