Santa Fe Development News
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City Council Regular Meeting
Published: Jun 19, 2026
City Approves Second Budget Amendment for FY 2025-2026
The council considered and approved the second budget amendment for the fiscal year 2025-2026, serving as a mid-year true-up [cite: 704-756]. The amendment aligns actual expenses with new software, with departmental expenses showing some overages and some underages, resulting in a net zero effect for expenses. A key adjustment is a decrease in projected revenue, attributed to a lower-than-anticipated sales tax revenue, now projected at 5.3% for the year instead of 9% [cite: 717-728]. The council was also informed that the EDC's budget amendment, including $1.3 million and $750,000 for drainage expenses, will be presented at the next meeting for formal adoption [cite: 732-741].
Greg and Greg Law Firm Selected for Citywide Legal Services
The council approved awarding the Request for Qualifications (RFQ) number COSF TX2026-06 for citywide legal services to the Greg and Greg Law Firm [cite: 425-426, 504-509]. The city manager is authorized to execute an agreement with the awarded vendor. Two firms responded to the RFQ: Greg and Greg Law Firm and Shirley Mills Law Firm. A committee judged the applicants, and staff recommended Greg and Greg Law Firm as the most qualified [cite: 431-441]. The firm's representatives, Chris and Dick Greg, from Houston, stated they have extensive experience working with various cities in different capacities, including city attorney and prosecutor [cite: 454-496].
Donald Head Appointed to Civil Service Commission
The city council approved the city manager's nomination of Donald Head to the Civil Service Commission for a three-year term ending June 2029 [cite: 389-392, 413-416]. Mr. Head was recommended over two other well-qualified applicants, Craig Foss and Chris Day, based on his experience and years of residency in Santa Fe [cite: 397-408].
Santa Fe to Consider Ordinance Banning Amusement Machines
The council discussed and directed the Fire Marshal to pursue an ordinance banning amusement machines, specifically 'eight-liner' or slot-style games, within the city of Santa Fe [cite: 526-697]. This action is in response to a regional concern and follows court rulings, including a Texas Supreme Court decision in 2022, that define these machines as illegal lotteries under the Texas Constitution [cite: 540-558]. Several neighboring cities, including Kemah, Dickinson, and League City, have already enacted similar ordinances [cite: 564-569]. Dickinson's ordinance imposes a $500 daily charge per machine [cite: 596-597]. The council expressed a desire for a zero-tolerance policy [cite: 606, 626]. While a precise count of machines in Santa Fe is not available, the Fire Marshal will work with other chiefs to investigate and enforce the potential ban [cite: 629-641]. The ordinance, if drafted, would be effective 30 days after passage to allow businesses time to comply [cite: 658-662].
Santa Fe Adopts Five-Year Capital Improvement Plan
The council approved the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) for fiscal years 2027 through 2031, totaling $7,382,539 [cite: 763-815]. This plan integrates previously adopted expenses for FY 2027, which amount to $2,711,624. Notably, the FY 2027 budget includes a $1 million state grant for Bungie Park and accounts for playground equipment that will be completed in early FY 2027 instead of the current fiscal year [cite: 782-793]. Council members expressed gratitude for the significant investments in infrastructure outlined in the plan [cite: 798-805].
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