By Beth Hahn
Albuquerque Journal (New Mexico)
A proposed Santa Fe County gross-receipts tax increase could substantially boost the number of firefighters in Edgewood and Stanley and eventually turn over ownership of a fire station to the town of Edgewood.
The one-quarter of 1 percent increase in gross-receipts taxes — which will appear on the Nov. 7 general election ballot — would provide the county with about $9 million for firefighters and equipment, Santa Fe County Fire Chief Stan Holden told the Edgewood Town Council during an Oct. 4 meeting.
The benefit for Edgewood, Holden said, is that the number of firefighter/paramedics in the area would be increased by 50 percent and funds from the tax would also help build a new county fire station on Section 16, near N.M. 344 and Venus Road.
Once the station is completed, Holden said, the county might lease or sell an existing fire station near Interstate 40 to the town.
Holden said Santa Fe County wants to keep the small, twobay facility next to the Edgewood Community Center but could be willing to part with the adjacent larger building for the town’s fire department.
Holden also pointed out another benefit for Edgewood: if the tax increase passes, he said, County Commissioner Mike Anaya has agreed to sponsor a resolution to end a county requirement for the town to pay a fee for fire services.
“That would free up money for the town to do other projects,” Holden told the council.
If passed, the tax would cost about 25 cents per $100 spent in Santa Fe County. Holden said budget projections indicate about $6 million of the expected $9 million in revenue would be generated in the city of Santa Fe.
Holden said the southern Santa Fe County region has about two firefighter/paramedics on duty at all times. If the tax increase passes, however, the southern portion of the county - including the Edgewood and Stanley fire districts - would have six fire- fighter/paramedics on duty at a time.
The region, which Holden said covers about 2,000 square miles, has about 12 full-time firefighter/paramedics. The tax increase would move that number to 18 full-time personnel.
Holden said he hopes to hire as many as 48 new full-time firefighter/paramedics for the county.
Although the city of Santa Fe will carry most of the financial burden of the tax, Holden said the rural parts of the county will benefit significantly from the increase.
“This will help out the residents of southern Santa Fe County and will benefit the volunteer firefighters and paramedics as well,” Holden said.
Edgewood Mayor Robert Stearley said the tax increase will be a good thing for the fire department as well as area residents.
“This definitely sounds like a good thing for the town,” he said. “We need to be sure to remind everybody to get out and vote for this.”
Gross-receipts taxes are funds collected on the sale of goods throughout Santa Fe County and its municipalities.
Before area residents begin celebrating, Holden said it is very important for Edgewood and Santa Fe County residents to vote in favor of the tax increase.