Subcommittee approves $93,750 DFA grant to support Santa Fe Police Department support positions

The Quality of Life Subcommittee voted to accept a multiyear certification from the New Mexico Department of Finance and Administration allocating $93,750 for FY26 to help fund law‑enforcement support positions in the Santa Fe Police Department.

Deputy Chief Valdez explained the agreement was originally entered three years ago and that the current request represents year three of a four‑year program. "For year 1, we received 100% funding... Year 2 was 50, and then this year is 25%," Valdez said, noting that the DFA reimburses a portion of salaries and benefits and the city covers the remainder. Valdez told the committee that the arrangement allowed the department to grow by five personnel and to move non‑police crime analytics roles out of sworn officer positions.

Committee members asked whether the city had budgeted for future years; Valdez said the city planned to assume full cost by FY27 and had anticipated recurring costs when the program began. After the presentation a committee member moved to approve the certification; a roll call vote recorded "yes" votes from Councilors Figalli, Barrett, Chavez, Cassett and Chair Castro. The motion passed.

The DFA allocation was described in the meeting as a reimbursement grant for salaries and benefits for the specified positions through 06/30/2026. No amendments were made during the committee vote.