santa fe mayor floats road and public safety bond idea

In a move designed to explore Santa Fe’s capital investment priorities, especially as those priorities relate to public infrastructure, Mayor Alan Webber is airing the possibility of putting on this November’s ballot a $60 million general obligation bond.

Stressing that the idea is not an official proposal but rather a conversation-starter, Webber, who was elected to Santa Fe’s top office in March, said such a bond could be used for a wide variety of road improvements and upgrades.

The proposal, currently being reviewed by both the Finance and Public Works committees of the Santa Fe City Council, would be one of two bonds dedicated to city improvement work. A second $13 million general obligation would go specifically for city facility infrastructure.

That second bond would additionally fund sustainability measures designed to advance the City of Santa Fe’s goal, officially announced in late 2014, of being carbon neutral by the year 2040.

After the bond ideas have been signed off on by the two committees, they will face a possible final vote from council members in either late May or mid-June.  

City officials have earlier noted that Santa Fe is currently looking at up to $250 million in deferred infrastructure maintenance needs.

By Garry Boulard

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