Keller Administration Proposes Budget for Coming Fiscal Year

April 1, 2022

Today, Mayor Tim Keller submitted a proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2023. The $1.4 billion budget includes no tax increases and focuses on fully funding public safety departments and programs, quality of life improvements and opportunities for working families, and continued economic invigoration.

“We’re laser focused on reaching our public safety goals. Funding for law enforcement, community response programs, homeless, behavioral health and addiction services are all critical to the success of our city,” said Mayor Tim Keller. “We’re building on the historic investments that got us through tough times brought on by the pandemic, and continuing to work toward a recovery that actually leaves our city better off, with the ability to adequately recruit and staff city workforce, and able to support a more diverse economy, than before.”

This year, the budget includes a significant increase in one-time non-recurring money thanks to prudent financial management during the pandemic and higher than estimated revenues in FY’22. The administration has outlined strategic investments in priority areas for this one-time money, but it cannot be used for hiring or ongoing projects like the budget’s recurring funds can.

“The budget aims to strike a balance, making strategic investments while prioritizing flexibility and fiscal responsibility given ongoing economic uncertainty,” Stephanie Yara, DFA Director.

“We’ve been diligent and responsible, ensuring delivery of services and supporting City employees,” said Sanjay Bhakta, Chief Financial Officer for the City of Albuquerque. “Through this balanced approach, we can maintain economic momentum and continue to invest in our community through uncertain times.”

Key investments in this year’s budget include:

Advancing Public Safety

Public safety is a top priority of the Keller Administration. Targeted funding aims to support not only law enforcement goals, but build a comprehensive, community-based approach to preventing and reducing crime.

• Funding for 1,100 full-time sworn officers and the CNM Academy to expand APD’s capacity to bring on new recruits
• Support for the Office of the Superintendent, Independent Monitoring Team, and External Force Investigation Team so that APD can reach reform goals
• $7.7 million increase for the Albuquerque Community Safety (ACS) department to expand personnel for 24/7 coverage across the city and leverage contracts to help social service providers scale up
• $12.8 million for raises and retention at APD in accordance with the APOA contract
• Funding for 29 more firefighter positions, including $1.4 million to send current Albuquerque Fire Rescue (AFR) employees to paramedic school to meet demand
• Creating safe neighborhoods with funding for nuisance abatement, Code Enforcement, the ADAPT program
• $500,000 for “park ranger” program dedicated to the safety and cleanliness of City parks, open space and trails
• $615,000 for necessary improvements to Animal Welfare facilities, and an additional $350,000 for the successful spay and neuter program
• Full funding for emergency board-up activities and the Block-by-Block program
• $1.8 million to develop Albuquerque’s only youth sobering center
• Full funding for the Violence Intervention Program, including the first phase of School-Based VIP
• $736,000 to fully fund the Assisted Outpatient Treatment Program
• $730,000 for a medical sobering center at Gibson Health Hub (GHH)
• Full funding for service contracts for mental health, addiction, domestic violence, early intervention, and other health and social services
• Full funding for the Automated Speed Enforcement program

Addressing Homelessness

• $4 million in recurring funding and $3 million in one-time funding for supportive housing programs
• $100,000 for emergency housing vouchers for victims of intimate partner violence
• $1.3 million for a medical respite facility at GHH
• $4.7 million to operate the Gateway Center at GHH, including emergency shelter services, first responder drop-off, facility and program operations
• Full funding for the Westside Emergency Housing Center (WEHC)
• $750,000 for the first phase of Safe Outdoor Spaces if approved by Council, and $200,000 for developing other sanctioned encampment programs
• $500,000 for development of a technology system that enables the City and providers to coordinate provision of services to people experiencing homelessness and behavioral health challenges
• $500,000 to fund Albuquerque Street Connect

Supporting and Diversifying the Economy

• $5 million investment in the Local Economic Development Act (LEDA) fund
• $1.2 million for process improvements, new technology, and staffing in the Planning Department to streamline the development process
• Reserve of $15 million to provide a local 4 to 1 match if the City is awarded a federal grant to create a “Space Valley” downtown
• $1.1 million for the next phase of Job Training Albuquerque
• $547,000 for the City’s hosting of sporting events like the USATF meet, tennis, pickleball, cycling, and running events
• Funding for the next cohort of Tipping Points for Creatives
• Full funding for the Small Business Office

Workforce Support through Youth Programs

• Fully funding the general fund support to the Head Start program
• Funding to sustain successful Youth Connect system

Pursuing Sustainability Goals

• Expansion of sustainability efforts housed in the Environmental Health Department, including the oversight of ongoing capital investments
• Continued progress toward achieving the goals set out in the American Climate Cities Challenge
• $298,000 to continue the development of cumulative impacts regulations
• Phasing in of electric vehicles in the Transit Department
• Newly established General Services Department (GSD) will further efforts at energy efficiency and carbon reduction in City buildings
• Expected savings of over $600,000 as the Solar Direct program, located on the Jicarilla Apache Reservation, is expected to come online and significantly expand the City’s use of renewable energy