Highlights from the Week of April 11, 2022
There's a lot going on in the City Different!
"Once-in-a Generation"
Budget Proposed for FY23
THIS WEEK THE CITY COUNCIL FINANCE Committee initiated a series of department-by-department hearings on the City’s recommended budget for Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23). The process is scheduled to conclude with a vote by the Governing Body on April 27.

The recommended FY23 All Funds expenditures of $382.8 million reflect an increase of $25.5 million, or 7.1 percent, compared to pre-pandemic levels in FY19.
 
Finance Director Mary McCoy described the budget as a “once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform Santa Fe into a more just and prosperous city. It sets a fiscally sustainable course for the City, while investing in shared priorities to deliver exceptional City services. Santa Fe remains in a strong fiscal position through the conclusion of FY22 and leading into FY23."

"Every department will receive a significant level of investment and residents will see the results,” said Mayor Alan Webber.

Highlights of investment goals were identified as:
  • Creating housing and livable neighborhoods, balanced with graceful growth;
  • Creating good jobs and rewarding careers for everyone;
  • Preserving, protecting, and advancing our history, art, and culture;
  • Helping those who need help;
  • Making Santa Fe sustainable;
  • Keeping Santa Fe safe and secure;
  • Improving basic City services;
  • Upgrading infrastructure;
  • Making City government work.


Livestreams and archived recordings of the budget hearings can be viewed on the City's YouTube channel.

MAYOR'S NOTE
Our Budget:
Moral and Strategic
A budget is a moral document: How we dedicate our public resources reflects our core values. A budget is also a strategic document: It provides the ways and means to realize those core values.
 
A budget that combines a moral compass and an investment strategy creates both a vision for
our future and a roadmap to achieve that vision.
 
As always, our strategic investments begin with our people. This budget has an 8% across the board pay increase for City employees—double the 4% raises we provided last year. We’ve budgeted a 16% increase for our police; very simply, we need to retain and attract more officers in a very competitive field. Everyone gets a $2,000 retention incentive as a “thank you” for sticking with the City. 
 
This budget invests in much-needed social programs, economic development and job training programs, and community health and safety initiatives. We're addressing critical capital improvements in every part of the City, job creation for people across Santa Fe, and environmental upgrades for future generations. We are promoting more housing, livable neighborhoods, attractive parks and a sustainable future for our young people.
 
Our aspirations for Santa Fe are both lofty and achievable: We aim for greatness in every part of our city’s life and for everyone in our city.
Fire Academy Grads to the Rescue
Sixteen academy graduates and three lateral transfer hires were sworn into the Fire Department yesterday. These firefighters will fill positions vacated by attrition (retirements and resignations) and promotions.

“Keeping our staffing levels full helps the department to provide expeditious and efficient responses to emergency calls in Santa Fe,” says Chief Brian Moya.
We're Getting (more) Social
Facebook, Twitter, Youtube – and now Instagram, too! We recently launched the official City of Santa Fe Instagram page, @SantaFeGov, where we'll be sharing fun photos and updates, highlight Reels, and more in the coming weeks. Head over to the page and give us a follow – and tag your friends in the comments of a recent post to spread the word. We're excited to have another way to connect and share with our residents!
The Easter Bunny Worked O.T.!
The Easter Egg Hunt was awesome: 14,000 eggs, so much candy, so many kids, and tons of fun! Many thanks to the Community Engagement Department for organizing the event and our Parks team for all their support. Thanks also to our sponsors and to the other city teams (Fire Department, Police Department, Environmental Services, Streets, and more) who helped us celebrate.
Help Keep Santa Fe Beautiful
The Great American Cleanup, organized by our non-profit partner Keep Santa Fe Beautiful, is next Saturday, April 23rd. This annual neighborhood litter cleanup is a great opportunity for you, your family, and friends to join other do-gooders across the city in a morning of giving back – and get a free t-shirt while you're at it! Register now, pick up your free supplies on Apr. 20, and be a part of the solution!
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