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Officials discuss joining Santa Fe film office expansion; proposal would fund a local liaison for permitting
Summary
Town and county officials discussed a proposal to contract with the Santa Fe Film Office to expand services into Northern New Mexico. A $45,000 annual cost (split among partners) was mentioned to fund a local liaison and permitting support; officials asked for a formal presentation from Santa Fe before committing.
Mayor Maestas and Taos County commissioners discussed a revived regional film office proposal that would contract with the Santa Fe Film Office to provide permitting, a website and a local liaison to support film production in Northern New Mexico.
The mayor summarized the prior ECOG (regional) briefing and said Jennifer LaBartapia of the Santa Fe Film Office previously proposed a $45,000 figure that would primarily fund a local liaison and access to Santa Fe’s permitting infrastructure. “They have all the infrastructure ready to go. They've got a website. They've got a permitting process, that works with all of the local entities,” the mayor said.
Supporters said a regional film office would provide a turnkey permitting process so producers know when streets and public safety resources are available, which can make the region more attractive and reduce duplication or competition across jurisdictions. Opponents and some commissioners said a formal presentation and clearer details are needed before the commission or council signs on.
Questions raised in the meeting included whether lodgers tax can fund film office work (the mayor said Santa Fe uses lodgers tax in their program), whether the $45,000 figure was intended as an annual recurring amount, and how marketing and workforce connections (for example to UNM‑Taos or local film programs) would be handled. One participant noted that Santa Fe’s model has drawn film business to that region and that a well‑run permitting process makes Taos more attractive; another asked that Santa Fe present again so the bodies can vet operational details and intergovernmental agreements.
Labor and job‑quality were also discussed: a commissioner cited IATSE local wage bands and benefit costs to demonstrate that film jobs can provide living wages and benefits for crew members. Multiple elected members favored starting a town/county pilot and inviting other municipalities in the county to join rather than delaying while the regional joint powers agreement is negotiated.
Next steps discussed: invite Jennifer LaBartapia or a Santa Fe Film Office representative to present before the joint body with specifics on costs, staffing (liaison position), permitting process and potential use of lodgers tax; consider starting a town‑county pilot to begin quickly and invite other municipalities later.
