Santa Fe County: Key votes — investment policy, open-space plan, housing loan application and easements

The Santa Fe County Board of County Commissioners on Feb. 25 approved multiple administrative and program actions, including amendments to the county's investment policy to allow larger participation in the state Local Government Investment Pool (LGIP); adoption of the 2025 Open Space, Trails and Parks work plan; approval of a loan application for affordable housing; and authorization for condemnation proceedings to acquire small permanent public utility easements needed for the Pojoaque Basin regional water system.

The board handled many routine items in one session and voted on several separate motions. Major formal outcomes included:

- Investment policy amendments (approved): The board voted to amend the county investment policy to expand permitted participation in the state Local Government Investment Pool (LGIP). Commissioners voted in favor; the measure passed by voice vote. Treasurer Montanares and staff presented the recommendation and the board then approved a separate six‑month investment strategy to use short‑term investments and maintain liquidity.

- Open Space, Trails and Parks 2025 work plan (adopted): The board adopted the county's annual open‑space work plan—an update required under the county's strategic management framework—and directed staff to include the plan in ongoing program priorities.

- Affordable housing loan application (approved): The board authorized submission of an application to the New Mexico Finance Authority's Opportunity Enterprise Housing Development Revolving Fund, seeking up to $4 million in low‑interest construction financing for the Nueva Secchia projects. The resolution granted county manager signature authority to submit application documents.

- Pojoaque Basin utility easements (authorized condemnation): After staff said negotiations had not produced signed easement agreements, the board authorized the county attorney to file condemnation proceedings to acquire small permanent public utility easements for the Pojoaque Basin regional water system. Easement areas described by staff ranged from roughly 0.0046 to 0.0809 acres.

- Other approvals: The board confirmed appointments to the arts, culture and creative economy advisory council; approved a $2 million job‑order contract for 12 recreation pods at the adult detention facility; approved a half‑acre lease of county property to the Food Depot for parking (Commissioner Green abstained); and approved a restaurant liquor license for a business at Avenida Vista Grande.

The board also heard a presentation from the Open Space, Trails and Parks advisory committee (COLPAC) recommending the acquisition of the 2,650‑acre Bobcat Crossing Ranch for open space, but took no acquisition action at this meeting. Staff said if the board is interested a capital request would be submitted in the fiscal‑year 2026 budget process.

Votes at a glance (formal motions and outcomes captured on the record): - Approve meeting agenda — passed (voice vote). - Table minutes (Jan. 28) pending corrected pagination — passed (voice vote). - Approve consent agenda (including purchase of 1 brush truck and 1 tender) — passed (voice vote). - Approve amendments to Santa Fe County investment policy — passed (voice vote). - Approve County Treasurer's six‑month investment strategy — passed (voice vote). - Adopt Open Space, Trails and Parks 2025 work plan (resolution adopted) — passed (voice vote). - Approve agreement 20250249CORR for construction/installation of 12 recreation pods (adult detention facility) — passed (voice vote); contract amount referenced by staff: $2,000,000. - Appoint three members to Arts, Culture and Creative Economy Council (district seats) — passed (voice vote). - Approve lease of 0.5 acre at 4250 Airport Road to the Food Depot for fleet parking — passed (Commissioner Green abstained). - Adopt resolution authorizing application to NMFA Opportunity Enterprise revolving loan program (up to $4,000,000 for Nueva Secchia projects; manager signature authorized) — passed (voice vote). Resolution recorded as 2025‑026. - Approve restaurant B liquor license for 7 Avenida Vista Grande, Suite B‑6 — passed (voice vote). - Authorize county attorney to initiate condemnation proceedings to acquire specified permanent public utility easements for the Pojoaque Basin regional water system — passed (voice vote). Resolution recorded as 2025‑027.

Why it matters: The investments vote changes how the county can manage cash, potentially increasing short‑term yield while keeping liquidity. The open‑space action frames priorities and preserves a pipeline of projects; COLPAC's Bobcat Crossing Ranch recommendation could become a multimillion‑dollar acquisition in a future budget cycle. The condemnation authorization is an example of the county using eminent domain as last resort to secure critical water infrastructure.

— Reporting for Santa Fe County public proceedings.