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Santa Fe County manager presents $305 million FY26 operating budget and contingency plan
Summary
County management proposed an operating budget of about $305 million (excluding transfers), described revenue estimates and contingencies, and outlined staffing and capital priorities including ERP and jail-management investments.
County Manager Schaefer presented a high-level overview of Santa Fe County’s proposed FY26 operating budget Monday, saying the recommended operating budget is approximately $305,000,000 excluding transfers and includes roughly $253,000,000 in recurring expenditures and $51,000,000 in nonrecurring expenditures, including contingency funds.
The budget presentation focused on revenue estimates from the county’s independent economist, planned contingencies and reserve policy, and targeted staffing and capital investments. Schaefer said the county used a “mean” revenue estimate — the official estimate from the economist — and built in contingency funds and one‑time cash cushions to withstand downside risk.
Why this matters: The budget frames near‑term spending and reserve use while preserving flexibility if revenues fall short. Schaefer told the commission the county is planning for a range of outcomes and has set aside contingencies and committed portions of fund balance to protect services in a potential downturn.
The county manager described the contingency structure and a special opportunity fund that currently holds…
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