Dear Friends:
It has been an honor to serve the people of District 5 in Santa Fe County as your County Commissioner. I am proud of what we have been able to accomplish in Santa Fe County since I took office in 2020, but there is much more to be done to improve our roads and other infrastructure, make us more sustainable and less reliant on fossil fuels, provide more affordable housing, and provide more effective services for those suffering from mental and physical health conditions.
The work at the Country is a team effort and I could not accomplish anything without the assistance of the other four commissioners and the wonderful professional staff who work in County government every day. Here are some of the accomplishments that I have been a part of:
Updated the County Code of Conduct to strengthen the reporting and enforcement provisions
Adopted sensible regulation of short-term rentals to avoid the negative impacts on our community while recognizing the place of short-term rentals for tourism
Adopted a resolution to ensure that any new utility-scale renewable energy projects are scrutinized for safety so the community and decision makers have all the information necessary to protect our community as we move to renewable energy
Adopted a new nuisance abatement ordinance that gives the County the authority, in extreme cases, to clean up and take over properties that are abandoned and falling apart or harboring criminal activity
Entered into a contract with the Santa Fe Conservation Trust to place dark sky monitors on County buildings to give us data on how we are doing on preserving our dark skies
Fully funded and started the NE/SE Connector road project and lined up funding to pave Encantado Road
Authorized the purchase of additional open space for preservation and recreation in southern Santa Fe County near the community of Golden
Secured funding for another bulk water station for residential users on Highway 14
Secured funding and started construction on a new park in the Carlson neighborhood
Formed a working group on reducing the use of single use plastic products, with an ordinance to come in late 2023 or 2024
Adopted an affordable housing plan that greatly expands the County programs to produce rental housing for low-income residents, assist with weatherization and solarization of existing homes, and help working families purchase a home in Santa Fe
As a member of the North Central Regional Transit District Board, developed and approved a plan to purchase all electric buses that are expected to go into service in 2025.
Here are some of my priorities going forward into 2024 and beyond if I am re-elected:
Revising our land use policies to encourage better water conservation and energy efficiency in new homes as well as reducing use of fossil fuels
Improving our road network to include paving of key roads and improving maintenance of dirt roads
Preserving local agriculture so that agricultural land and water rights are not lost to housing development
Reducing child poverty so that future generations will not be burdened with the mental and physical issues that can result from childhood deprivation
Improving conditions at our adult detention facility so that people can start treatments there for mental heath and substance abuse conditions that continue in the community when they are released
I am running for re-election in the June 4, 2024 primary and then, if I win that, the general election in November 2024. I would very much appreciate your vote!
Hank Hughes
Contact me at hank4santafe@gmail.com