Council committee advances resolution to revise Santa Fe budget process; amendments approved

Committee members reviewed a staff‑led proposal to restructure and increase transparency in Santa Fe’s annual budget process for fiscal years 2026–2027. Rod Gould, senior adviser and public engagement coordinator, described a multi‑stage calendar staff proposed to align department goals, objectives and key performance indicators (KPIs) with budget submittals and to use facilitated community engagement to inform mayoral and council priorities before the next budget cycle.

Gould outlined the proposed schedule: departments produce draft goals and KPIs for the current fiscal year; an October study session would review those metrics and a December midyear report would show progress. Gould described a facilitated community conversation (the agenda text used the term “town hall”) in January to gather resident preferences on tradeoffs and priorities. The plan calls for a joint series of hearings in April and May between the finance committee and the full governing body so all members receive the same information before the finance committee issues its recommendation; the governing body would adopt the budget in May and transmit the approved budget to the state for review.

Councilor Michael Garcia moved and the committee approved an amendment (sponsored by Councilor Carol Romero‑Worth and Councilor Garcia) that clarified aspects of the public engagement element and the schedule. Councilors said they preferred a facilitated, interactive format—some suggested “roundtable” or staff‑facilitated discussions—rather than a unilateral presentation followed by comment. Staff and councilors agreed the proposed process should be flexible to accommodate newly‑elected members after the November election and that staff would return with refined plans and outreach details.

City Manager Mark Scott and department directors were identified in the presentation as responsible for producing departmental goals and KPIs by the end of the month to support the proposed calendar. Gould and staff said they would design engagement techniques that emphasize education about revenue and tradeoffs so residents can meaningfully weigh budget choices.

The committee voted on the amendment and on the main motion as amended; Councilors Castro, Chavez, Garcia, Faulkner and the chair voted yes. Members noted the item will move to the finance committee for additional review before final governing body action.

Ending: Committee approved the amendment and transmitted the main resolution as amended for subsequent committee and full board consideration; staff will present follow‑up materials and refined community engagement plans to council and to the finance committee before final adoption.