# Finance Committee Meeting 10-26-26

The Santa Fe Finance Committee met on October 26, 2026, to discuss proposed changes to the city manager’s financial and contracting authority. Staff outlined a possible increase in the city manager’s budget-adjustment authority from $60,000 to the existing $200,000 contract-approval threshold. Committee members did not vote on the proposal; they requested more detail on cumulative limits, safeguards, and preemptive reporting to councilors before adjustments are made. The chair said the BAR issue should return once with staff’s proposed guardrails and supporting information, before legislation is drafted.

Other concepts discussed included clarifying the municipal code’s definition of a contract; removing the word “initial” from the exemption for certain purchases, such as subscriptions and conference fees; allowing the city manager to apply for grants of any amount and accept grant agreements up to $1 million when the city’s matching share is within the $200,000 contract authority; and designating the city manager as grant-application signer. Members supported further consideration of the grant and definition changes, while requesting additional detail on delegating signature authority to department directors and on contract amendments (staff’s preliminary proposal was up to 25% of the original contract amount or the city manager’s authority, whichever is less). No substantive procurement changes were approved at this meeting; staff will develop further details, including reporting and guardrails, before legislation is brought forward.

**Jurisdictions:** sled
**Topics:** Grants & Funding
**Published:** October 26, 2026

### Sources
- [Finance Committee Meeting 10-26-26](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R28UeS7XWKE) - cityofsantafe