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, workforce development and office rent for community services and economic development. Economic Development Director Johanna Nelson described a proposed $250,000 pilot to support mitigation tactics for small businesses (security cameras, signage and other tools) and said the program would be bilingual and use outreach through the Office of Economic Development and Community Services. Nelson said the city is modeling the pilot in part on Albuquerque’s program and will use the first deployment to refine application and deployment processes.

On automated traffic enforcement, the council approved a BAR to allocate $837,000 for automated traffic-evidence and enforcement equipment. Deputy Chief Ben Valdez said staff plan to issue an RFP to procure automated speed cameras and to explore equipment that could also capture sound-isolation/noise metrics if the technology is available. Councilor Lee Garcia asked staff to verify an earlier commitment of $250,000 from the tourism department; City Manager Mark Scott and Director Randy Bridal later confirmed the funds had been discussed and that staff would reconcile whether they were moved into a line item or otherwise appropriated.

The council approved $100,000 to fund expert contracts to evaluate options for the Soldiers Monument; city manager Mark Scott said the RFQ returned a firm capable of doing feasibility and restoration analysis and that the BAR is for a study only, not for restoration work. The council also approved a larger package totaling $3,438,000 (including a 0.5 percent capital GRT tranche) to expand human services under the Connect homeless solutions, guaranteed income and immigration support programs; Youth and Family Services Director Julie Sanchez and partners described investments in outreach, a GIS capability for encampment tracking, and short-term contracted project positions to stand up the pilot work.

What councilors pressed: Several councilors asked for clarity on whether temporary hires would become permanent staff, the duration of contract funding and whether the city was getting value from temp-agency overhead. Councilor Romero Worth pressed staff to confirm whether the previously discussed $250,000 tourism commitment for noise-camera pilot work had been recorded; the mayor and director Bridal said they would reconcile the accounts and, if necessary, bring a BAR to transfer those funds.

Votes at a glance: - Midtown redevelopment staffing (BAR to allocate $135,000) — Outcome: approved. Vote: Faulkner (yes), Lee Garcia (yes), Michael Garcia (yes), Lindell (yes), Romero Worth (yes), Cassett (yes), Castro (yes), Chavez (yes), Mayor Weber (yes). - Staff capacity, small-business crime mitigation and workforce (BAR to allocate $1,646,000) — Outcome: approved. Vote: Lee Garcia (yes), Michael Garcia (yes), Lindell (yes), Romero Worth (yes), Cassett (yes), Castro (yes), Chavez (excused), Faulkner (excused), Mayor Weber (yes). - Automated traffic enforcement/evidence equipment (BAR to allocate $837,000) — Outcome: approved. Vote: Michael Garcia (yes), Lindell (no), Romero Worth (yes), Cassett (yes), Castro (yes), Chavez (yes), Faulkner (yes), Lee Garcia (yes), Mayor Weber (yes). - Soldiers Monument assessment (BAR to allocate $100,000) — Outcome: approved. Vote: unanimous of those present (see roll call). - Human-services expansion and homeless-response funding (BAR to allocate $3,438,000 including 0.5% capital GRT) — Outcome: approved. Vote: unanimous of those present (see roll call). - Public utilities temporary positions (BAR) — Outcome: postponed to March 12, 2025 (motion to table approved).

Discussion versus decisions: Most items approved were one-time appropriations or contract funding for temporary/project-specific work; in several cases councilors emphasized the need for follow-up reporting, concrete performance metrics and clarity about how temporary contracts would be evaluated for possible future budget requests. Staff repeatedly characterized these allocations as pilot or start-up funding rather than permanent new operating commitments.

What’s next: Staff said they will return with RFPs, program rules and outreach plans (including bilingual materials for the small-business grants) and will follow up to confirm the tourism lodging-tax commitment for the noise-camera pilot. Councilors asked for regular updates on project timelines, performance metrics and any future requests to convert temporary contracts to permanent positions.