City Council passes $1.4B balanced budget

ALBUQUERQUE - The Albuquerque City Council passed a balanced $1.4B budget Monday evening, focusing on public safety, keeping fees low, and creating a new pilot program to focus on mental health.

The Council’s budget does not reduce APD, Community Safety or AFR, and adds a new EHD food inspector. The Council’s budget increases Library technology by $200k to a total of $400k which will enhance access to digital resources and educational tools. Council’s budget also adds $250k to the BioPark for food and $250k for food at the Animal Welfare Shelters.

“I’m proud of this budget, especially since the forecasts indicate a smaller than expected growth rate,” Councilor Klarissa Peña said. “We were able to expand social services, maintain our levels of public safety, and keep fee increases for our residents at a minimum.”
Councilors amended the budget (C/S R-24-36) to eliminate aquatics program fees, create a one dollar raise to municipal golf greens fees, and to build in accountability and transparency to City Administration and its functions.

The Council's Committee of the Whole Chairwoman Klarissa Peña also included funding to leverage local funds to match Federal Medicaid or Medicare resources for either the Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) 1915(c) Waiver or the Medicaid 1115 Demonstration Waiver, creating a pilot program that offers wrap-around services for individuals with psychiatric and/or substance abuse disorders.

Peña commended the Council staff for their hard work in working together with the Mayor's staff to submit a budget that achieves the City's goals and objectives while maintaining fiscal responsibility and transparency for City residents.