Keller Administration Outlines Vision for Upcoming Fiscal Year Budget

March 31, 2023

Today, Mayor Tim Keller submitted a proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2024. The $1.4 billion budget reflects the administration’s ongoing commitment to public safety. It also focuses on addressing housing and homelessness crises effectively and creatively, and resolving a long-standing pay equity gap for City employees.

“Our focus on reaching public safety goals hasn’t wavered, and we will continue to prioritize the programs and services that get at the root causes of our city’s challenges,” said Mayor Tim Keller. “We’re doubling down on investments that will move the needle on crime, homelessness, and housing, while continuing to support our city workforce and correct historic pay inequity.”

To balance the budget, Fiscal Year 2024 recurring expenses were reduced by prudent decreases from savings in unfilled vacant positions and operations.

“The budget continues to make important investments where they are needed, but takes a conservative approach, accounting responsibly for a potential economic recession,” said Stephanie Yara, Director, Department of Finance and Administrative Services.  

“We continue to work to balance strategic funding of key programs and fiscal responsibility,” said Sanjay Bhakta, Chief Financial Officer, City of Albuquerque. “Using this approach, we can manage our way through uncertain times and still continue to invest in progress for our communities.”

Key investments in this year’s budget include:

Advancing Public Safety

Public safety is a top priority for the Keller Administration, and historic investments have proven effective, with Albuquerque making significant progress on violent crime and property crime in the past year. Despite that progress, the city still struggles with homicides related to gun violence and the fentanyl epidemic. Targeted investments aim to further support the police department while building out a robust system of services to help prevent and reduce crime.

• Albuquerque Fire Rescue (AFR​) and Albuquerque Police Department (APD) cadet pay increases to improve regional competitive positioning for         improved recruiting
• Funding for 1,000 full-time sworn APD positions with 40 additional available via federal funds
• Crime fighting technology to complete the Real Time Crime Center and the improved network of cameras, automated speed enforcement, and license plate readers throughout the city
• Support for the Office of the Superintendent and the Police Reform Teams so that APD can reach Federal Consent Decree goals
• Expanding Albuquerque Community Safety’s (ACS) budget by $5.4 million to provide 24/7 coverage throughout the city and full funding for the Violence Intervention Program
• $800,000 for ACS building and Trauma Recovery Center
• $800,000 for the new Fire Station 23 that includes funding for nine additional firefighter positions
• $910,000 for recruitment of paramedics, training, equipment, and smart dispatching software, offset by increased EMS revenue
• Full funding for nuisance abatement, including the Code Enforcement Division of Planning and the ADAPT program in the Fire Marshal’s Office
• Full funding for emergency board-up activities and the Duke City Ambassador program
• $500,000 for Park Rangers dedicated to safety and cleanliness of City parks, open space, and trails
• $400,000 for creation of a specialized team in the Planning Department to help manage and control errant properties.

Homelessness, Housing, and Behavioral Health

Addressing homelessness, additional housing, and behavioral health challenges in our City means taking a comprehensive approach to the root causes such as substance abuse, mental health, domestic violence, and youth opportunity. The Fiscal Year 2024 budget includes:

• $14 million in funding for supportive housing programs
  ·      $736,000 to fully fund the Assisted Outpatient Treatment program
  ·      $730,000 in recurring and $500,000 in one-time funding for operation of the Medical Sobering Center at Gateway
  ·      $100,000 for emergency housing vouchers for victims of domestic violence
  ·      Full funding for service contracts for mental health, substance abuse, early intervention and prevention programs, domestic violence and services, sexual assault services, health and social service providers, and services to abused, neglected, and abandoned youth
  ·      $1.5 million in recurring and $500,000 one-time for the Medical Respite facility at Gateway
  ·      $3 million for the Gateway Center, including emergency shelter, first responder drop-off, and facility and program operations
  ·      $1.2 million for the Westside Emergency Housing Center
  ·      $500,000 to fund a technology system that enables the City and providers to coordinate on the provision of social services to people experiencing homelessness and behavioral health challenges
• $500,000 to fund Albuquerque Street Connect, a proven program that focuses on establishing ongoing relationships with people experiencing homelessness to help them into supportive housing

Resolving Historic Pay Equity Gap, Minimum Wage and Keeping up with Cost of Living

• $16.9 million of funding to resolve historic pay inequities across more than 900 positions throughout city government. 
• 2% pay raise to support the City workforce
• Establishment of minimum $15 minimum wage for all regular full and part-time city workers

Other Key Investments in Jobs, Sustainability, and Quality of Life

• $1 million for the Local Economic Development Act fund to help the city retain and attract businesses
• Full funding for the Small Business Office
• Full funding for the Head Start program and the City’s highly successful Youth Connect programming
• Continued investment in sustainability efforts to help the City achieve goals set out in the Climate Action Plan