Council increases Kiwanis contract by $90,000 to support New Year’s Eve and Dia de los Muertos events

The Quality of Life Committee on Jan. 8 approved Amendment No. 1 to the intergovernmental agreement with the Kiwanis Club of Santa Fe, increasing the contract by $90,000 to a new total of $390,000. The amendment covers New Year’s Eve on the Plaza and the Dia de los Muertos event.

Jordan Guenther, interim executive director of Tourism Santa Fe, told the committee the additional funds are intended to offset sponsorship shortfalls and to pay for increased staffing and security needs. "The increase is... to help offset some of the sponsorship dollars as well and I think more importantly to make sure that both events feel safe for the general public," Guenther said.

Nut graf: Committee members asked for expense reports and sponsorship detail before final appropriation tracking. Guenther said Dia de los Muertos expenses were about $124,776 with roughly $102,500 in sponsorships and other revenue, leaving about an $18,000 gap; New Year’s Eve expenses were reported at about $70,500. He said the contract is four years and that the increase covers shortfalls from the most recent year and supports the remaining contract years.

Councilors and staff discussed whether growing attendance would continue to raise security and staffing costs. Councilor Travis observed that newer or growing events can require more funding as crowds and safety needs increase; Tourism staff said they work with vendors and sponsors to control cost escalation.

The committee approved the amendment by roll call vote; members were unanimous in favor.

Ending: Staff agreed to provide a detailed accounting of event expenses and sponsorship receipts to the committee; any unspent funds will remain in the Lodgers Tax fund per standard practice.