Council rejects one charter change but approves a broader ballot question on removal of top appointees

The City of Santa Fe governing body on Wednesday rejected a proposed charter amendment that would have required council consent before the mayor could remove the city manager, city attorney or city clerk except during the first 180 days of a mayor’s term, but approved a different measure sending a removal-power change to the Nov. 4, 2025 municipal ballot.

Advocates framed both measures as efforts to rebalance power under Santa Fe’s strong-mayor system. “This isn’t about individuals. This is about striking a balance between the legislative and what is forming up to be the executive,” Councilor Pilar Faulkner said during the debate.

Why it matters: The city’s charter and the rules that flow from it determine how power is split between the mayor’s office and the eight-member governing body. Any charter change approved by the council and then by voters would change who can remove senior appointed officials and when — a decision that affects everyday operations, oversight and stability at City Hall.

What the council did: Two related resolutions were before the governing body. The first (on the agenda as item 9q) proposed a ballot question to require council consent before the mayor removes the city manager, city attorney or city clerk, except in the first 180 days of a newly elected mayor’s term. That measure failed on a roll call vote (Yes: Councilors Pilar Faulkner, Lee Garcia, Michael Garcia, Amanda Travis; No: Councilor Lindell, Councilor Romero Wirth, Councilor Caset, Councilor Castro, Mayor Weber).

A second resolution (item 9r), amended in committee to require six councilors rather than five, passed the council and will go on the Nov. 4, 2025 regular local ballot. The clerk read the amended caption at the meeting and the body voted to place the proposal before voters; the final recorded roll call showed six “yes” votes and three “no” votes.

What supporters said: Sponsors and backers argued the measures give the governing body a check against politicized firings and protect institutional continuity. “This allows some protections to ensure that that critical role, the city manager role is — if not the most critical role — given that they are the ultimate boss of everybody,” Councilor Lee Garcia said, arguing the change would insulate the position from political leverage.

What opponents said: Other councilors urged caution and said the questions should be vetted by a Charter Review Commission. Councilor Romero Wirth said he opposed single, stand‑alone charter amendments on foundational governance questions and urged a comprehensive review. Councilor Lindell said she opposed the measure on procedural grounds and said the city lacks the public engagement and research a charter change of this nature deserves.

Process notes and next steps: The body amended the one proposal in finance committee to require six councilors for removal and then voted to send the revised measure to voters. The council explicitly discussed whether the question should instead go back to a charter review commission for broader consideration; several members supported that longer review even as they sent this item to the ballot. If approved by voters on Nov. 4, the charter change would take effect according to the voters’ direction and the charter’s implementation rules.

Votes at a glance - Item 9q (require council consent except first 180 days): Failed (Yes: Faulkner, Lee Garcia, Michael Garcia, Travis; No: Lindell, Romero Wirth, Caset, Castro, Mayor Weber). - Item 9r (amended to require six councilors to suspend or remove city manager, city attorney, city clerk): Approved to go to ballot (Yes: Michael Garcia, Caset, Castro, Travis, Faulkner, Lee Garcia; No: Lindell, Romero Wirth, Mayor Weber).

What the council record shows: Sponsors repeatedly referenced the 2023 Charter Review Commission’s recommendation to examine separation of powers. Opponents repeatedly urged additional public engagement and a fuller charter-review process rather than “one-off” ballot measures.

Taper: Because the council sent the amended 9r question to the ballot, voters will decide in November whether to change the local constitution; the debate about broader charter review and the balance of authorities is likely to continue through the fall and next year.