Santa Fe staff propose shift to performance-based budget, new calendar and reporting

City officials presented a plan July 28 to change how Santa Fe builds and uses its budget, recommending a shift from a line-item spending document to a performance-oriented budget that ties dollars to measurable goals and recurring reporting. The proposal, led by Rod Gould, senior adviser and public engagement coordinator, called on the finance committee to direct staff to develop department goals, objectives and key performance indicators (KPIs), hold joint hearings with the full council, and adopt a performance budget framework this year. Gould said the budget “is probably the most important legislative action that any council takes” and argued a performance budget would make expected results clearer to residents and managers. Why it matters: Staff said the change would make the budget a clearer policy and…