Policy Matters

“My ‘ten-point turnaround’ plan reflects my mission to establish a balanced and transparent approach to reallocate Santa Fe power and resources to all residents; create a government that works for all of us—the taxpaying residents who go to work early every day to make our home the unique treasure that it is.” - Government That Works For Us: JoAnne’s Ten-Point Plan to Turnaround Santa Fe

• Make Santa Fe Safe. Work with the Santa Fe Police Department to set up proven successful methods to recruit and hire more police officers. Implement best practices in police operations to get tough on crime, starting with more aggressively enforcing laws that are already on the books concerning theft, pan-handling, loitering, animal abuse and jaywalking. Work with lawmakers and the judiciary to end “catch and release” practices and put some teeth into the noise ordinance to curb vehicle nuisance.

• Solve the Homelessness Crisis.  Work with organizations in Santa Fe that provide services to our unhoused population to create a strategic plan that comprehensively addresses the root causes and sets a clear path to implement major goals including addressing challenges of mental health, drug addiction, housing and food security.  

• Make Government Accountable.  Ensure fiscal accountability—meet state and local government deadlines for audit submittal; implement more cost-effective measures in spending and timely capital project completion. Set up management matrixes to track infrastructure age and replacement schedules and budget accordingly to address those issues.

• Make Santa Fe Affordable.  Collaborate with City Council, Housing Coalition, Santa Fe Homebuilders, Santa Fe Association of Realtors, Santa Fe and Hispano Chamber of Commerces and all other stakeholders on a consolidated plan to provide affordable housing. Address stopgaps in the Planning and Land Use permitting process and other areas that are blockages to affordability.

• Put Neighborhoods First. Manage city hall with a “view from midtown” where all Santa Fe neighborhoods are equal—from north to south, from  east to west.  Our neighborhoods are the lifeblood of our city, and we must put the safety and interests of our neighborhoods at the center of our city’s priorities.

• Make Santa Fe Parks Beautiful.  Parks impact the quality of life in our neighborhood communities where people come together for healthy, active play.  I will increase employees in the Parks Department and set up managerial systems to consistently maintain ALL of Santa Fe’s parks and fully control weeds, litter, and medians. I will provide city services to our taxpaying residents that they pay for and deserve.

• Respect and Empower City Workers.  Boost morale among all city employees, including a more balanced and fair compensation plan; fairness in treatment; consistency in application of rules and union contracts; and enforce workforce safety provisions.  A happy, well managed city workforce means better services for our city residents.

• Recruit and Retain Qualified City Leadership. Hire the best qualified department directors who know how to manage  and deliver essential services while treating employees with dignity, fairness, and respect.

• Build Partnerships with the City Council. No Mayor can solve problems alone.  I will work collaboratively with the City Council to truly operate with a team spirit, providing leadership so that each councilor achieves his or her goals for for the benefit of all of Santa Fe. None of us can do it alone and be successful.

• Solve the Midtown Project. Get some positive traction and move the Midtown project to an end result—once and for all.   

-These policies are by no means exhaustive. As voting day approaches, these and other policies will be further detailed-