County expands Food Depot contract, renews parking lease and backs DWI grant submission

Santa Fe County commissioners on Feb. 10 voted to increase county funding for the Food Depot's navigation and food-assistance program and to renew an in-kind parking lease that staff said improved the nonprofit's distribution efficiency.

Deputy Community Services Director Jennifer Romero told the board the amendment increases the agreement with the Food Depot by $125,000 for a total not to exceed $275,000, inclusive of New Mexico gross receipts tax, to continue navigation and food assistance through Feb. 7, 2027. "The amendment will allow continued provision of navigation and food assistance services to low income residents of Santa Fe County," Romero said.

Food Depot Executive Director Jill Dixon described operational benefits from having off-site paved parking for the agency's fleet: "Being able to move our rapidly growing fleet off-site dramatically improved both the efficiency and the safety of our operations," Dixon said.

The board approved both the contract amendment and the lease in separate votes. Commissioners also approved a resolution authorizing the county manager to review and approve submittal of the FY27 Local DWI (LDWI) grant application and related documents; staff said Santa Fe County's estimated LDWI distribution for FY27 is $1,283,763 and the department will apply for the full distribution plus additional grant funds and detox funding.

What happens next: The county manager will sign the purchase order and lease as delegated; the LDWI application will be submitted to DFA by the February 26 deadline and staff will return with required budget adjustments.