Governing body approves package of budget amendments to fund redevelopment, business security, traffic enforcement and social services

The Santa Fe governing body on Feb. 26 approved several budget amendment resolutions that together allocate millions from general-fund balances to support Midtown redevelopment staffing, small-business crime mitigation and security grants, workforce and school supports, automated traffic enforcement equipment and studies for the Soldiers Monument.

Why it matters: The package bundles one-time money for public-safety tools and economic-development programs at a moment when council members are pressing for both short-term responses (security for small businesses and traffic enforcement) and longer-term capacity (project managers and data infrastructure for homelessness and redevelopment).

The council approved a BAR (budget amendment resolution) for the Midtown redevelopment program that allocates $135,000 to fund part-time redevelopment finance support. Daniel Hernandez, director of the Metropolitan Redevelopment Agency, said the hire is a part-time specialist expected to work about “16 to 18 hours a week,” brought in through a temporary staffing agreement the city has with a provider his presentation named as “It’s Quest.” Hernandez told the council the city plans to request continued funding in the FY2026 budget but does not intend to convert the contractor to a permanent full‑time city employee immediately.

Councilors also approved $1,646,000 in BAR funding to support staff capacity, small-business crime-mitigation and security grants, small-business development,…