Santa Fe committee adopts 2027–2031 infrastructure capital plan after debate over priorities and funding

The Santa Fe Quality of Life Committee voted July 2 to adopt a resolution authorizing the City of Santa Fe’s 2027–2031 Infrastructure Capital Improvements Plan (ICIP) as amended, following a staff presentation and extended discussion about which projects the city should prioritize for legislative and other funding.

The measure, introduced as “resolution adopting the City of Santa Fe’s 2027 through 2031 infrastructure capital improvements plan” and sponsored by Councilor Amanda Chavez and Mayor Alan Weber, passed on a roll-call vote of Councilor Castro: yes; Councilor Chavez: yes; Councilor Michael Garcia: yes; Councilor Faulkner: yes. Councilor Cassett was absent. The committee approved the plan “as amended.”

The ICIP adopted by the committee lists roughly $896 million in projects across roads, utilities, parks, public safety and other infrastructure categories. Director Regina Wheeler told councilors the ICIP is compiled annually from project worksheets submitted by each city division, reviewed by department leaders and the city manager, and that the “top five” projects on the list are the items the city typically emphasizes when seeking legislative appropriations.

“The legislature funds their priorities more than they fund the city priorities,” Director Regina Wheeler said, pointing to recent appropriations for Fort Marcy Park and projects at the airport that were not the city’s top five but still received large legislative support. Wheeler summarized recent legislative wins and existing project investments: Fort Marcy Park ($5,000,000 in 2024), Soccer Valley ($6,250,000), and airport-related funding including…