The city of Santa Fe is deciding whether or not certain city officials, such as the city manager, fire chief and police chief, should be required to live within the city limits.

Though a number of benefits may come from such an arrangement, the main concern is safety and having the right people in the best place. 

“It's public safety. It has to do with the fire chief, the police and the city manager. It all has to do with public safety that folks being able to respond within minutes, not hours, and it's just a way of being proactive rather than reactive,” Santa Fe Councilor Signe Lindell, who sponsored the ordinance, said.

There are clear benefits which would also come from having these officials in the center of everything, particularly in situations where correct action needs to be taken quickly, such as an active shooter incident. 

“This only has to do with three positions: police chief, fire chief and city manager. It does not have to do with the entire police force, the entire fire crew, or any other upper level management within the percentage as to what we are proposing,” Lindell said. 

The action not in response to any ongoing issue, Lindell said, but she anticipates that it will garner a great deal of support from the community. 

“I don't expect any pushback. I expect a lot of support. I think constituents are very supportive of this. I don't expect any pushback if this is not misrepresented,” Lindell said. 

The ordinance would require that the three positions mentioned all reside within ten miles of the city’s municipal boundaries. 

It will apply to the first individuals appointed to the positions after July 1, 2021. 

There will be a public hearing for this ordinance on July 14, 2021.