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Santa Fe council approves two contract increases for on‑call security and a $150K budget adjustment for downtown coverage
Summary
The city approved two amendments raising caps on on‑call security contracts (Condor and Arrowhead) and a $150,000 budget transfer into a tourism lodging‑tax fund to cover downtown security. Council debated contractor performance and whether police staffing should replace contracted security.
The Santa Fe governing body on Wednesday approved increased caps on two on‑call contracts for private security and authorized a $150,000 budget adjustment to finish the fiscal‑year funding for downtown security.
Item 9N amended Contract 22‑0303 with Condor New Age Logistics LLC to add $2.2 million to the not‑to‑exceed cap (to $8.8 million) and extend the term through June 30, 2028. Interim Public Works Director Sam Bernett explained the contracts are on‑call maximums and that departments — tourism, parking, libraries, municipal court, Midtown/Railyard, parks and utilities — use contracts to meet varying needs. Bernett and staff said private security firms face staffing bottlenecks and the city has diversified vendors to fill shifts. Councilors noted past performance concerns and asked whether the police department could absorb some duties; staff said security is used for behavioral deterrence and facility coverage rather than to replace sworn officers.
Council then approved a separate amendment to the Arrowhead (Vet Sec) contract, raising that cap by $2.2 million to a new total of $12.1 million and extending its term to June 30, 2028. Councilor Castro, who had pulled items for discussion, said earlier questions had been answered.
Council also approved a $150,000 budget adjustment moving general fund dollars into the tourism lodging‑tax fund to complete funding for downtown security, a measure staff said supplements prior additions (another $350,000 previously added). The roll call on the budget adjustment recorded one dissenting vote during the sequence (Councilor Castro voiced a procedural objection earlier in discussion), but the motion passed.
What to watch: Council asked staff to provide expenditure reports for the on‑call contracts so members can review historical spending and evaluate whether to shorten or rework future contract terms.
