Santa Fe Mayor Alan Webber delivered his State of the City Address, spotlighting the city’s dedicated employees, accomplishments over the past few years, and the work to build a better future for all residents. Mayor Webber’s priorities are city services, affordable and workforce housing, sustainability, and community health and safety.
Highlighting the progress the city has achieved, Mayor Webber shared updates on public safety personnel, housing, and sustainability investments. Santa Fe has lowered its job vacancy rates for first responders, which the Mayor attributes to pay increases, down payment assistance programs, and incentives for lateral transfers. Mayor Webber announced the city had approved 3,554 new units, with thousands more in the pipeline, along with $3 million in rental and mortgage assistance for low and median-income families.
The Mayor also shared Santa Fe’s progress in sustainability efforts, including reducing water usage by 2 million gallons per year, generating 1.5 megawatts of solar energy on city buildings and facilities, and reducing overall energy use by 60% with LED street-light conversions.
Mayor Webber reflected on the city’s commitment to justice through an environmental, social, economic, and educational lens and how they are working toward achieving that goal. These efforts include working to protect residents from gentrification and displacement, improving the city-wide living wage, and addressing the interconnected issues of homelessness and affordable housing, opioid addiction, fentanyl abuse, and mental and behavioral health.
Watch Mayor Webber’s full address here.
