Santa Fe Mayor Michael Garcia outlines transparency and staffing changes after 100 days

After roughly 100 days in office, Mayor Michael Garcia told Santa Fe residents he has prioritized reshaping city government, boosting oversight and increasing public participation.

Garcia framed the changes as part of a broader effort to make city operations more efficient and transparent. "I established a transition team composed of community, business, and labor stakeholders," he said, describing a comprehensive review of city departments and leadership structure to "lay the groundwork for a more efficient government." The mayor said the administration has recruited key administrative positions, including the city attorney and city clerk, and is continuing the search for a city manager.

The mayor announced plans to create an office of the independent inspector general to "increase oversight" and expand access to city records. Garcia called open government practices a "core priority" of his administration, saying they are essential to building community trust.

Garcia described steps to increase resident engagement, including public forums, town-hall meetings and monthly "Meet with Mike" sessions at public libraries. "I'm excited to host Meet with Mike sessions," he said, adding that he has met constituents at the Southside and La Farge libraries and will meet at other locations across the city every month. He also noted weekly video messages and a radio segment, "Mondays with Mike," intended to keep residents informed about city work.

The mayor connected these internal changes to next steps in city planning. He said he is finalizing the fiscal year 2027 operating budget proposal and emphasized making the budget process more inclusive so departments and the governing body can contribute meaningfully.

Garcia also pointed to regional cooperation and intergovernmental outreach as part of his administration's approach, including an approved land swap with the state to add property on the Midtown campus and a planned meet-and-greet between the city governing body and the Pueblo of Tesuque tribal government.

The administration's immediate next steps, he said, include continuing recruitment for executive posts, launching the inspector-general office planning and advancing the FY2027 budget process through community engagement and governing-body participation.