Highlights from the Week of November 8, 2021
There's a lot going on in the City Different!
City Finances Earn
Strong Bond Ratings
The City has been assigned an AA+ rating from Fitch Ratings and an AA rating from S&P Global Rating for its $13.5 million subordinate lien gross receipts tax (GRT) refunding bonds, 2021 series. Fitch also affirmed AA+ ratings for the City's $21.7 million general obligation bonds, $56.7 million senior lien GRT revenue bonds, and an earlier series of $31.4 million subordinate lien GRT bonds. S&P Global also affirmed its AA long-term ratings for the City's Santa Fe gasoline tax/subordinate lien gross receipts tax improvement revenue bonds and the Santa Fe subordinate lien gross receipts tax refunding revenue bonds.

Finance Director Mary McCoy says: "We are pleased to receive these very positive bond ratings and recognition of the City's strong budget management and good fiscal management practices during the COVID-19 pandemic. These ratings are a testament to our city's strong financial health. The savings from the refinancing will allow us to continue investments in programs that improve Santa Fe’s future.”

City leadership expects the ratings to result in $1.5 million in savings over the next five years.

In its credit opinion, S&P Global termed the City's economic fundamentals as "strong," noting, "New economic development continues with restaurants, retail and commercial establishments. Tourism and the movie industry are picking back up after a slowdown due to the pandemic."
MAYOR'S NOTE:
We're Hiring.
Spread the Word!
One of the great things about the Weekly Wrap is the chance to highlight the accomplishments of the amazing team that makes Santa Fe work. We know more about the great work that’s going on than the rest of Santa Fe knows. Here are some examples:

Senior Services produces, distributes, and delivers some 5,000 meals every week for our older city residents. The Streets Team filled more than 1,700 potholes from March to September—and filled 3,000 in the previous 12 months. The Library team lent out 271,080 books, videos, laptops and take-and-make kits. Land Use completed 16,965 permit inspections. Constituent Services processed 4,334 resident requests in the first 9 months of 2021–61% more than in all of 2020. And more.

Behind each of those statistics is you—all that work only gets done because of you. With that in mind, now’s the time to hire people to join the City! We have vacancies that we need to fill—so please share this link to the jobs page with your family, friends, and networks. Let's keep building the best team in town for the good of our community.
CHART Update & Kickoff
CHART process leadership presented an update on its progress to the Governing Body on Wednesday night. Find the presentation materials on PrimeGov. It was perfect timing because the team is now ramping up its public engagements. All are invited to attend the opening ceremony from 2 to 4 on Sunday afternoon at Frenchy's Field. Find the details here. Next Thursday kicks off the Cultural History Series with both the State and City historians; register here or view on the CHART website.
The Navy Week That Was
Navy Week in Santa Fe launched with a proclamation by Mayor Webber on Monday, and from then on it was anchors aweigh, full speed ahead. Officers and sailors participated in a nonstop slate of community service and outreach events that left Santa Fe in better shape than they found it in. Habitat for Humanity, the Girl Scouts, various schools, Kitchen Angels, and more organizations were helped in their missions by Navy personnel. And, The Destroyers Navy Band anchored our Veterans Day celebration on the Plaza. Santa Fe salutes the U.S. Navy!
The Art of Fitness
Installation is well underway at SWAN Park of the Keith Haring Outdoor Fitness Court. Santa Fe was selected as one of only 10 cities nationwide for this facility; stand by for news of a ribbon cutting and introduction to the fitness courts on November 27. This is a collaborative project led by the Parks and Arts and Culture Departments, in partnership with Recreation, Youth and Family Services, Senior Services, and support from District 3 Councilors Roman “Tiger” Abeyta and Chris Rivera, who says: "This is another important amenity for Southside residents of all ages." 
America Recycles Day
Monday, November 15 is America Recycles Day (ARD)! The Environmental Services Division encourages you to take Keep America Beautiful's #BeRecycled pledge to show your commitment to recycling right (and encouraging others to do the same). You can also download the FREE Recycle Coach app to help you learn how to become a better recycler! ESD also brought a special guest on their radio show Wednesday morning to talk recycling and the Recycled Art Festival happening this weekend in honor of ARD. Listen here.
Share this email with your networks!
City of Santa Fe | santafenm.gov