Is disincorporation the right thing to do for our community? Please consider the following:
Edgewood Would Lose Local Control. If Edgewood disincorporated, decisions on roads, land use, zoning, economic development, code enforcement, and local priorities would be made primarily by county government rather than local elected officials focused solely on Edgewood. County commission meetings are held in downtown Santa Fe which is 62 miles away (1 hour/8 minutes). Town Hall is about 5 minutes away from anywhere in Edgewood. Rather than surrendering local control, residents can help shape these decisions by attending meetings, serving on committees, and participating in local elections.
Residents Would Lose Direct Representation. Edgewood currently has a Town Commission elected specifically be Edgewood residents. After disincorporation, residents would be represented by county commissioners who much represent much larger geographic areas and competing interests. Residents concerned about Town leadership have the opportunity to appropriately engage directly with local officials and influence future elections.
Existing Problems Do Not Require Disincorporation. Those promoting disincorporation cite staff turnover, audits, lawsuits, and employee compensation. These are management and governance issues that can be corrected without eliminating the municipality. Communities throughout New Mexico address similar challenges through policy changes, oversight, and civic involvement rather than dissolution.
Municipal Grant Eligibility Could Be Reduced. Municipalities are eligible for numerous state and federal funding programs specifically designed for incorporated local governments. Disincorporation could reduce or eliminate access to certain municipal funding opportunities. Residents can help advocate for infrastructure and community projects that utilize these funding opportunities for the benefit of Edgewood.
Edgewood Would Lose Control of Municipal Assets. Town-owned facilities, equipment, vehicles, infrastructure, parks, records, and other assets would need to be disposed of or transferred according to state law. Residents would lose direct ownership and control trough their local government. Many residents have invested time and resources into building these community assets and can continue helping guide their future use and improvement.
There Is No Guarantee Taxes Would Decrease. Disincorporation enthusiasts claim taxes would decrease because the Town's Gross Receipts Tax would disappear. However, county taxes would still apply, resident could still face service fees or assessments, and the loss of local services may require resident to pay privately for services previously provided by the town. Any tax savings must be weighed against loss of services and local control. Residents should carefully evaluate both the costs and benefits of local services before concluding that disincorporation would provide a net financial benefit.
County Services May Not Match Current Service Levels. Disincorporation enthusiasts may be assuming Santa Fe County would seamlessly absorb all municipal functions. Counties generally provide services over much larger areas and may not be able to provide the same level or responsiveness, maintenance, code enforcement, planning or community services that a municipality can provide. Residents who want stronger services can help identify priorities and work with local officials to improve them.
Economic Development Could Be Weakened. Municipal governments can actively pursue business recruitment, infrastructure projects, economic development grants, and community improvements. Disincorporation removes a local governmental advocate dedicated solely to Edgewood's economic future. Residents and business owners play and important role in supporting economic development initiatives and attracting investment to the community.
Existing Debts and Legal Obligations Do Not Simply Disappear. Disincorporation does not automatically erase financial obligations, contracts, litigation, or outstanding liabilities. State law requires and orderly process for resolving municipal obligations before dissolution. Working together to address challenges is often more productive than assuming they will disappear through a change in governmental structure or passing those problems to Santa Fe County.
Incorporation Has Allowed Edgewood to Build Infrastructure and Services. Since incorporation, Edgewood has developed roads, parks, planning functions, public facilities, economic development initiatives, and municipal services that would not necessarily exist otherwise. The fact that a municipality experiences challenges does not mean the municipal model itself has failed.
The question is not whether challenges exist, they do. Every community faces challenges. The question is whether the residents of Edgewood wish to continue building upon the accomplishments of the past and improving the community through constructive, civil, and meaningful participation and accountability, rather than eliminating the very local government that gives them a voice.
Imagine what could be accomplished if the time, energy, and passion devoted to debating and promoting disincorporation were instead invested in strengthening our community. What if those same hours were spent volunteering, serving on boards and committees, supporting local businesses, mentoring our youth, attending meetings with ideas and solutions or simply extending appreciation to neighbors, employees, volunteers, and elected officials who work every day to make Edgewood a better place?
Communities are not defined by the absence of problems; they are defined by how people choose to respond to them. Progress is achieved not through division, but through collaboration. It is built by people who are willing to listen, participate respectfully, hold one another accountable through civil discourse and work together towards common goals.
Edgewood belongs to all of us. Its future will not be determined solely by its elected officials or town staff, but by the collective commitment of its residents. The choice before us is not simply whether to remain incorporated-it is whether we choose to invest ourselves in our community, work together to solve its challenges, and build an even stronger Edgewood for future generations. Let's not throw away 25 years of hard work; let's collectively work towards the next 25 years.