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Board approves TIFA grant awards and directs staff to pursue additional funding for late or remedial applications
Summary
Commissioners approved 12 TIFA awards totaling $50,000 as recommended by the Lodgers Tax Advisory Board and voted to allow applicants 45 days to remedy incomplete applications and to increase awardable funds up to approximately $66,840 pending a future budget adjustment resolution.
The Community Development Department presented recommendations from the Santa Fe County Lodgers Tax Advisory Board (TIFA) for tourism event and facilities grants. Staff reported 14 complete applications seeking a total well above available funds; the advertised NOFA made $50,000 available for tourism infrastructure awards. The review panel prioritized project readiness and public-safety/sanitation-related requests in scoring.
Commissioners expressed concern that some capital projects with durable benefits scored lower because they lacked timelines or certain elements in their applications. After discussion about fairness to applicants and the competitive process, Commissioner Green moved that the county provide applicants 45 days to remedy deficiencies and to fund all applicants in a reimbursable manner up to the requested total (approximately $66,840), with the Manager and finance staff to return with a budget-adjustment resolution; the Manager said current-year revenues could support an increase and that a formal budget adjustment would be brought back. The motion passed by voice vote.
Staff noted that program rules require reimbursable expenditures and applicants must meet defined eligibility and timeline criteria to receive funds. Several commissioners urged staff to consider future NOFA changes and increased outreach so that capital projects have sufficient time to prepare complete submissions.
