Nov. 14—The city of Santa Fe realized $16.5 million in unanticipated gross receipts tax revenue during the most recent fiscal year, and officials already have devised a list of ways to spend it.
Gross receipts taxes are the city's largest revenue generator, and brought in $154,276,680 in the 2023 fiscal year, according to a news release issued Monday. The gross receipts tax in Santa Fe is 8.1875% after it was decreased a fraction of a percent over the summer.
Unanticipated revenue is $16,576,680, of which approximately $2.3 million is allocated to increments and subsidy transfers required by city law, city spokeswoman Amy Akmal wrote in an email.
That leaves $14.25 million that can be used on projects selected by city officials, including retention incentives and salary increases for employees and a variety of infrastructure upgrades.
Specific proposals include:
* $1.5 million for soccer facility improvements, including $1 million to improve the Salvador Perez soccer field and parking lot, and $500,000 for the design of the Municipal Recreation Complex Soccer Valley expansion.
* $1.148 million for $1,000 retention incentives for all city staff members who commit to remaining with the city through June 2024.
* $1 million to support the purchase of an ambulance within the Community Health and Safety Department, as well as the hiring of eight to 10 additional employees.
* $1 million to replace the Municipal Recreation Complex effluent irrigation supply system.
* $1 million for likely salary increases resulting from the completion of the city's most recent class and compensation study.
* $800,000 for infrastructure planning for the midtown development.
* $500,000 for a "predictive tool for the water system within the Public Utilities Department," according to the release.
* $150,000 for contractual services for the Human Resources Department.
* $60,000 for contractual services to plan a future department focused on code enforcement and "rapid response for constituent concerns and complaints."
The proposals also include funding for a range of new hires across departments, including $115,000 for an additional Finance Department employee; $175,000 to hire a director for the city's newly minted Office of Equity and Inclusion; $200,000 to create a new position in the Planning and Land Use Department and $181,000 to hire two new employees to process public records requests in the City Attorney's Office.
At a recent meeting, City Attorney Erin McSherry said the city has received more than 8,000 Inspection of Public Records Act requests this year, which she called "a huge huge huge burden" for the existing three employees.