Santa Fe reports high take-up, mixed cost signals from two-year employee wellness pilot

Alvin Valdez, the city’s benefits and wellness manager, told the Santa Fe governing body on the pilot program that the temporary rules (Rule 13.91 and Rule 13.92 of the Santa Fe personnel rules and regulations) produced broad participation in fiscal year 2024.

Valdez said 305 employees enrolled in the weekly two-hour fitness/mental-wellness leave and 303 used it at least once during FY24. “We came up with 9,788 times,” he said, referring to the number of clock-outs recorded for the weekly leave, which he said averaged about 32.3 uses per enrolled employee over the year. He said the city also collected voluntary health metrics and two detailed personal testimonials from employees who reported weight loss and clinical improvements.

The pilot began July 1, 2023, and applied to full‑time, part‑time, exempt and term employees after a six‑month probationary period. Employees could use the weekly leave as four half‑hour segments, two one‑hour blocks on two days, or one two‑hour block in a week; the separate wellness day had to be taken in the calendar year or it would be forfeited.

The governing body pressed for more data before committing. Councilor Amanda Chavez, who sponsored the pilot, said she wants it made permanent and asked staff to boost outreach: “I think making this permanent, really going and making sure that there’s outreach, all of the department heads are communicating this clearly to their employees is going to be key,” she said. Chavez and other councilors urged clearer messaging to supervisors so employees do not hesitate to use the benefit.

Several councilors asked for measures tied to fiscal impact. Councilor Michael Garcia asked staff to split usage figures between the weekly leave and the single wellness day and to show cost‑benefit metrics so the council can “justify at the end of the day” whether the investment is worth it. Valdez said the city recorded 8,412 hours used and that the FY24 cost for the leave was presented in the meeting material; he read a figure for FY24 costs as reported in his slides (transcript excerpt). Councilor Pilar Faulkner asked specifically for data on attendance and whether the program affected job performance, retention and recruitment.

Councilor Lindell raised questions about part‑time employees and program guardrails. “Two hours ends up being 10% of the work week,” she said, adding she would seek clarification about which activities qualify as fitness or wellness and whether the leave should be pro‑rated for part‑time staff. Alvin Valdez and human resources staff said they are open to defining guardrails and noted the city’s version already required modified schedules approved by supervisors and directors.

Other councilors supported continuing the pilot or making it permanent. Councilor Gassett, who has a public‑health background, urged more time for evaluation but said she saw benefits in morale, retention and potential long‑term reductions in chronic‑disease costs for the city’s self‑insured plan. Councilor Faulkner urged flexibility so workers in shift roles (for example, transit or waste routes) can participate via facility access or alternate scheduling.

Valdez told the governing body the team will gather the requested follow‑up: a breakdown of single‑day wellness day use versus weekly leave, attendance and sick‑leave comparisons, and options for outreach and survey requirements. He recommended the council choose among three options at the pilot’s June 30, 2025, expiration: extend the pilot another year, make the rules permanent in personnel policy, or allow the pilot to lapse.

The governing body did not take formal action on the program during the meeting; councilors instructed staff to return with additional data and options.