Finance committee approves $1.65 million allocation for economic development, small-business grants and staffing

The Santa Fe Finance Committee voted Feb. 24 to approve a $1,646,000 budget amendment transferring money from general fund balances 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.

The allocation funds four items staff described as staff capacity increases, grant programs and operating support. Johanna Nelson, Director of Community Services and Economic Development, said part of the request continues positions originally supported by American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding and supports administration for roughly $3,000,000 in grants the division oversees.

Nelson said the contracts-administrator position is currently covered by ARPA and the ARPA performance period runs through December 2026. She described the positions as term hires and said the contracts-administrator and an economic development specialist would be paid at roughly $29 per hour; she estimated the latter would equate to about 12 months with benefits included. "The performance period does, counselor," Nelson said when asked about ARPA timing. Nelson also offered to send a salary analysis to clarify the math.

Councilor Tes Lindell pressed for clearer packet detail on hiring terms, hours and total cost. "I don't know what I'm contracting for. Am I contracting a term person that is part time? Am I hiring someone that is full time? How long am I hiring for?" Lindell asked. Nelson replied the request is for term positions intended to be temporary while staff seek permanent funding through the usual budget process.

On the proposed small-business crime-mitigation and security grants, Nelson said the program would respond to requests from small businesses on the Cerrillos Corridor, the airport corridor and downtown that have experienced vandalism and other harms. Nelson said staff looked at Albuquerque's prior pilot, which began with a $250,000 fund, and described the grant as a pilot for Santa Fe. She said Community Services staff, including Director Hammond Paul and Julie Sanchez's team, would run and manage the program.

Nelson said workforce-development funding in the request would continue existing programs and that staff would return with more specifics when requested. After committee members asked for additional information, including precise staffing timelines and program design details, the committee approved the amendment. A roll call recorded yes votes from Councilor Cassett, Councilor Lindell, Councilor Faulkner, Councilor Lee Garcia and Council Chair Romero Worth; the motion passed.

Nelson agreed to provide Councilor Lindell a more detailed salary analysis and additional program details following the committee meeting. The approved funds are one-time general fund allocations intended to bridge staffing and pilot program needs while staff evaluate longer-term funding options.