[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6309402,"mediaKeyId","2412948-e70b0f62bafded7e61c0082faa6eb5d1","parentId",2412948,"title","Santa Fe County: Key votes — investment policy, open-space plan, housing loan application and easements","audioSeconds",853,"startMs",2752000,"endMs",3605000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2412948-e70b0f62bafded7e61c0082faa6eb5d1&start=2752&end=3605","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2412948-e70b0f62bafded7e61c0082faa6eb5d1/thumbnail_2752000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6309402/Santa-Fe-County/New-Mexico/Santa-Fe-County-Key-votes-investment-policy-open-space-plan-housing-loan-application-and-easements","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6309402-fca7c25ad7a34a023c6dcafe752e3e8b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770495659&Signature=guuRegn7RPLNk~5uzIJjyIwIh68Af4-LcxzqW0b8nUhE~sGinqujrAk~EAIJaqi6fr3jSu0em20NhudX43PIjkgcia~kybSSgvXfPIs-k4IDwEyHn~dCC0aElRaDo-fgZcnnX6B7W3ZAJkOuOY53IOKxjDWgNm9NLt8JVW30~qi-d3A-YS1VTuSTNDlRSbC~ZMs9iJG~j1yeRUHDt7FACVgE8kxJCkFut-vEXL3XF9w2NfkAL6mMEnAW8m2xkTT71HXmpjYBEMnvfL6WdtYmUiTBjpw4tkvV7an93hJohOgLUz84~aQVRs6G14YIRdUDJ6~rsT4tfFnQWUK1ZNKchQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Santa Fe County, NM","date","2025-02-26T02:02:05Z","article","The Santa Fe County Board of County Commissioners on Feb. 25 approved multiple administrative and program actions, including amendments to the county's investment policy to allow larger participation in the state Local Government Investment Pool (LGIP); adoption of the 2025 Open Space, Trails and Parks work plan; approval of a loan application for affordable housing; and authorization for condemnation proceedings to acquire small permanent public utility easements needed for the Pojoaque Basin regional water system.

The board handled many routine items in one session and voted on several separate motions. Major formal outcomes included:

- Investment policy amendments (approved): The board voted to amend the county investment policy to expand permitted participation in the state Local Government Investment Pool (LGIP). Commissioners voted in favor; the measure passed by voice vote. Treasurer Montanares and staff presented the recommendation and the board then approved a separate six‑month investment strategy to use short‑term investments and maintain liquidity.

- Open Space, Trails and Parks 2025 work plan (adopted): The board adopted the county's annual open‑space work plan—an update required under the county's strategic management framework—and directed staff to include the plan in ongoing program priorities.

- Affordable housing loan application (approved): The board authorized submission of an application to the New Mexico Finance Authority's Opportunity Enterprise Housing Development Revolving Fund, seeking up to $4 million in low‑interest construction financing for the Nueva Secchia projects. The resolution granted county manager signature authority to submit application documents.

- Pojoaque Basin utility easements (authorized condemnation): After staff said negotiations had not produced signed easement agreements, the board authorized the county attorney to file condemnation proceedings to acquire small permanent public utility easements for the Pojoaque Basin regional water system. Easement areas described by staff ranged from roughly 0.0046 to 0.0809 acres.

- Other approvals: The board confirmed appointments to the arts, culture and creative economy advisory council; approved a $2 million job‑order contract for 12 recreation pods at the adult detention facility; approved a half‑acre lease of county property to the Food Depot for parking (Commissioner Green abstained); and approved a restaurant liquor license for a business at Avenida Vista Grande.

The board also heard a presentation from the Open Space, Trails and Parks advisory committee (COLPAC) recommending the acquisition of the 2,650‑acre Bobcat Crossing Ranch for open space, but took no acquisition action at this meeting. Staff said if the board is interested a capital request would be submitted in the fiscal‑year 2026 budget process.

Votes at a glance (formal motions and outcomes captured on the record):
- Approve meeting agenda — passed (voice vote).
- Table minutes (Jan. 28) pending corrected pagination — passed (voice vote).
- Approve consent agenda (including purchase of 1 brush truck and 1 tender) — passed (voice vote).
- Approve amendments to Santa Fe County investment policy — passed (voice vote).
- Approve County Treasurer's six‑month investment strategy — passed (voice vote).
- Adopt Open Space, Trails and Parks 2025 work plan (resolution adopted) — passed (voice vote).
- Approve agreement 20250249CORR for construction/installation of 12 recreation pods (adult detention facility) — passed (voice vote); contract amount referenced by staff: $2,000,000.
- Appoint three members to Arts, Culture and Creative Economy Council (district seats) — passed (voice vote).
- Approve lease of 0.5 acre at 4250 Airport Road to the Food Depot for fleet parking — passed (Commissioner Green abstained).
- Adopt resolution authorizing application to NMFA Opportunity Enterprise revolving loan program (up to $4,000,000 for Nueva Secchia projects; manager signature authorized) — passed (voice vote). Resolution recorded as 2025‑026.
- Approve restaurant B liquor license for 7 Avenida Vista Grande, Suite B‑6 — passed (voice vote).
- Authorize county attorney to initiate condemnation proceedings to acquire specified permanent public utility easements for the Pojoaque Basin regional water system — passed (voice vote). Resolution recorded as 2025‑027.

Why it matters: The investments vote changes how the county can manage cash, potentially increasing short‑term yield while keeping liquidity. The open‑space action frames priorities and preserves a pipeline of projects; COLPAC's Bobcat Crossing Ranch recommendation could become a multimillion‑dollar acquisition in a future budget cycle. The condemnation authorization is an example of the county using eminent domain as last resort to secure critical water infrastructure.

— Reporting for Santa Fe County public proceedings.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","2/25/2025 Board of County Commissioners Regular Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The Santa Fe County Board of County Commissioners on Feb. 25 approved changes to its investment policy, adopted the county's 2025 open‑space work plan and cleared a low‑interest loan application for affordable housing while authorizing condemnation steps to secure small utility easements for a regional water system.","taxTitle","Santa Fe County, New Mexico","taxId",2698,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6309393,"Santa Fe County authorizes condemnation for small utility easements tied to Pojoaque Basin regional water system",243,10410000,10653000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2412948-e70b0f62bafded7e61c0082faa6eb5d1&start=10410&end=10653","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2412948-e70b0f62bafded7e61c0082faa6eb5d1/thumbnail_10410000.jpg","/articles/6309393/Santa-Fe-County/New-Mexico/Santa-Fe-County-authorizes-condemnation-for-small-utility-easements-tied-to-Pojoaque-Basin-regional-water-system","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6309393-a15c0a4c968dbcd38fe785244f5da88d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770495659&Signature=bfjBQP3XsTNoh1eH0HGfoVo5iA~0tie~6EqRqSUDwCfz9S76F0OG1dot-esG7DOjGbQ25HmfkGq6mu-D9lxswPVHyRdh-pFtlRt~lUD9DhJYGrHmebdoQ603aTMtlRtL7lEo0zsjpEbIxXjhBpItNuIbvo6YErQmqdImTzZpVsicDmRTCSRUwabk0Omaw9qgvr0j8yGiHGNYhS6IAMHVXEJiLEJQXlTBy5ZkdyYM7lgwTyE1Hyvj--oRQoQl7p~a4~Y67FZDkOtXyp2NxLmEN5L3WuvRxI0O9x1lPeoH-TqWr60fZ9kS3lHyur3-6aHWwB-lQX7M89vuXuAx6o1vGw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Santa Fe County Board of County Commissioners voted Feb. 25 to authorize the county attorney to initiate condemnation proceedings to acquire several permanent public utility easements required for the Pojoaque Basin regional water system.

County Manager Schaeffer told commissioners the county had attempted months of negotiation with the affected property owners and that the easements at issue are small — in the examples staff cited, individual permanent easement areas ranged from about 0.0046 to 0.0809 acres. Schaeffer said the county is authorized under its funding agreement with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation to obtain property interests necessary to construct the project and that staff continues to prefer negotiated agreements rather than condemnation.

Commissioners were told the water line and associated fire hydrants are needed to complete the regional water project and that, in staff's assessment, the improvements are likely to preserve or increase property values and provide fire‑protection benefits that could lower insurance costs for neighbors. The motion to authorize condemnation was moved by Commissioner Justin Green, seconded by Commissioner Hank Hughes, and passed by voice vote.

The resolution authorizes the county attorney to begin eminent‑domain proceedings on the specified small easement areas named in the exhibit attached to the resolution. Staff said they will continue to negotiate with owners and prefer to resolve matters by agreement when possible.

Why it matters: The action clears a legal path to secure parcels of right‑of‑way necessary to complete a regional water transmission line and to install hydrants for public safety and infrastructure resilience. The board indicated condemnation is a last resort after extended efforts to reach voluntary easement agreements.

Vote and next steps: The county attorney will proceed as authorized; staff will continue to pursue voluntary acquisitions where possible and return with any settlement terms if reached.","After months of unsuccessful negotiations the board authorized the county attorney to seek condemnation of several very small permanent utility easements needed to install water infrastructure and fire hydrants for the Pojoaque Basin regional water system.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6309397,"Santa Fe County adopts 2025 open‑space work plan; COLPAC recommends Bobcat Crossing Ranch for preservation",318,7823000,8141000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2412948-e70b0f62bafded7e61c0082faa6eb5d1&start=7823&end=8141","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2412948-e70b0f62bafded7e61c0082faa6eb5d1/thumbnail_7823000.jpg","/articles/6309397/Santa-Fe-County/New-Mexico/Santa-Fe-County-adopts-2025-openspace-work-plan-COLPAC-recommends-Bobcat-Crossing-Ranch-for-preservation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6309397-1d06c3b059ccf88a531bb3a2455aad99/orig.mp4?Expires=1770495659&Signature=Aix3jb~si6Bdqaurl76jjiyHY2RYz0eUs4jO6Nr7jtwHfHBS-dzpdZrBXjuZnBPU-ra5uTymoar3LigMHkFgrmUoGw2~Tv4-as5GpX0~KVYd5-4ZMkn47wqx6DC6WuihzI5VXJ~AoufKRktu5EOmOnpjZ3zzTs9xT0xnbtru~8v9XHPeOpkrkrOQwiL8JXpXR5bQEdFTjpv5pmqajHTGcOkvh-MyHI~0AYkzDktkK~-ejBZTCPkEJC-gZ-rVcSzzWz9m77pmkeXl0qfpafjKs9Cz4yTIAvQdwHpjnMwUTW-m3qbJtTL93A2mWM0ESKraG2oqDJllMc3AdEFAyFTsMA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Santa Fe County Board of County Commissioners on Feb. 25 adopted the county's 2025 Open Space, Trails and Parks work plan and received a separate presentation from the county advisory committee (COLPAC) recommending acquisition of Bobcat Crossing Ranch for open space. The board did not take acquisition action but staff said any purchase would come to the board as a capital request in the FY2026 budget process.

COLPAC presented the work plan as the annual, living update required by the county's adopted strategic management plan. Adeline Murphy, the county's open‑space planner, told commissioners the work plan groups projects into four categories — resource management, education and stewardship, project development and implementation, and planning and program development — and reflects COLPAC priorities set in quarterly meetings.

On the same topic, COLPAC members recommended that the county consider acquiring Bobcat Crossing Ranch, a roughly 2,650‑acre parcel north of Eldorado and south of Seton Village. In the COLPAC application staff circulated, the landowner (Rancho Viejo Partnership) was identified as having agreed to sell the parcel at a stated fair‑market price described in the application materials. COLPAC's written recommendation to the board said the ranch is the largest undeveloped tract between Santa Fe and Eldorado, contains confirmed and potentially expansive archaeological resources (including a site previously recorded and described by early excavators), and offers trail connectivity to the Santa Fe Rail Trail and the Galisteo Basin.

COLPAC recommended that if the county moves forward staff seek a third party with cultural‑resource management expertise to preserve and manage the identified archaeological site; COLPAC also said recreational infrastructure should be balanced to protect environmental integrity.

Dan Potter, a COLPAC member and retired archaeologist, summarized the archaeological significance: “It was excavated by Nels Nelson … about 300 rooms as Nelson estimated, two‑story Pueblo ruin,” and Potter said modern archaeological methods would be needed to establish site boundaries and management requirements.

Murphy said the COLPAC recommendation was unanimous and that staff would return with a capital request if the board wished to pursue acquisition during the next budget cycle. Commissioners asked about tribal outreach and tour opportunities; staff said limited tribal notification had occurred and that they would organize additional outreach and a site visit if the board directed further work.

Why it matters: The adopted work plan sets the county's conservation, access, and stewardship priorities for the year and will guide staff work and budget requests. COLPAC's Bobcat Crossing Ranch recommendation, if pursued, would be a major acquisition with implications for cultural resource protection, trail connectivity and regional conservation planning.

No acquisition action was taken at this meeting.","The board adopted the county's Open Space, Trails and Parks 2025 work plan and heard COLPAC's recommendation to pursue acquisition of the 2,650‑acre Bobcat Crossing Ranch; staff said acquisition would be considered in the FY2026 budget cycle and that cultural resources would require specialized management.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Santa Fe County: Key votes — investment policy, open-space plan, housing loan application and easements

Santa Fe County authorizes condemnation for small utility easements tied to Pojoaque Basin regional water system

Santa Fe County adopts 2025 open‑space work plan; COLPAC recommends Bobcat Crossing Ranch for preservation