News and Articles
05/01/2026
City of Santa Fe Council Declines Annexation; County Moves to Incorporate Area 1B into Agua Fría Village
SANTA FE, N.M., May 1, 2026 —The Santa Fe City Council has voted at their regular meeting on April 29, to not pursue annexation of Area 1B, waiving the City’s formal consideration of annexation of Area 1B.
During the April 28 Santa Fe County Board of County Commissioners regular meeting, commissioners unanimously voted in favor of the joint resolution between the City of Santa Fe and the County regarding Area 1B. Area 1B, located in District 2 of Santa Fe County, has been the subject of ongoing discussions regarding jurisdiction, planning, and service delivery.
Both the City and the County votes reflect input from residents, stakeholders, and regional partners, as well as consideration of infrastructure, service delivery, and long-term planning priorities. By waiving the City’s right to challenge Santa Fe County’s designation of a traditional historic community of Agua Fria, the City affirmed its commitment to collaborative regional approaches that respect community preferences and existing governance structures.
Both the City of Santa Fe and Santa Fe County emphasized their continued partnership on regional issues, including infrastructure, housing, and economic development, and expressed a shared commitment to serving the broader community effectively.
“This was the right decision for the community and for the region. By listening closely to residents and working in partnership with Santa Fe County, we are honoring the identity and preferences of the community while ensuring thoughtful, coordinated planning for the future. We look forward to continuing this strong partnership in ways that benefits everyone we serve,” said Mayor Michael Garcia.
"Our joint City-County resolution is the result of elected officials showing up for each other and letting community voice lead the way. That kind of trust-building is what transforms politics into progress — and it's a precedent that Santa Fe County and the City are setting together for future wins,” said Commissioner, District 2, Lisa Cacari Stone.
The Area 1B working group, comprised of Commissioner, District 2, Lisa Cacari Stone, Commissioner, District 4, Adam F. Johnson, and District 1 City Councilors Alma Castro and Pat Feghali, in coordination with Mayor Michael J. Garcia, developed the joint resolution establishing a framework for resolving the status of Area 1B.
####
