Santa Fe County adopts interim FY26 budget to fund five sheriff deputies and trauma-informed training

The Santa Fe County Board of County Commissioners on May 27 approved an interim fiscal year 2025–26 budget that funds five additional deputy sheriff positions and allocates $120,000 for trauma‑informed training and planning.

"The item presented today before you is the approval of the interim budget," Yvonne (staff) told the board as she outlined proposed changes to the budget package to free revenue and cover the new positions and training. The county must submit the interim budget to the New Mexico Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) after board approval by June 1.

County staff proposed using $845,500 from the grants, temporary employees and matching requirements budget contingency and adjustments tied to debt service on the county's GRT revenue bond (1997 A) to free up pledged revenue to fund the deputies, Yvonne said. Staff also recommended eliminating an account position proposed for public safety to fully fund the five deputies; the law enforcement operations fund would increase by $527,446 as a result of adding the deputies.

Commissioner Justin Green thanked staff for finding the resources and described the added deputies as responsive to constituent concerns. Commissioner Lisa Kakari Stone expressed support for the trauma‑informed training, saying it will help the county design supports across its systems. Chair Camilla Bustamante and other commissioners also thanked staff for bringing the package together.

The board voted to adopt the interim budget (resolution number 2025059). County staff said further steps include capital budget hearings and budget study sessions in June and July and presentation of a final FY26 budget in July for DFA submission by July 31.

The board recorded no roll‑call opposition during the vote; the motion carried.