Mayor Keller Outlines 2020 Operating Budget Proposal Focused on Public Safety, Jobs, Opportunities for Kids

April 3, 2019

At a press conference this morning on Civic Plaza, Mayor Tim Keller publicly released the Administration’s proposed Operating Budget for the fiscal year 2020 (beginning July 1, 2019). The budget will be considered by City Council over the coming weeks. 

 “Working together, we have begun to get a handle on our public safety challenges and lay the foundation for a safer, inclusive, and reinvigorated Albuquerque. But we still have a long way to go. Our 2020 budget doubles down on successful investments to tackle crime and begin to address homelessness, while boosting economic development and opportunities for kids and families,” Mayor Keller said.

The FY 2020 Proposed Budget breaks down as follows:

Public Safety

Forty-seven percent of General Fund expenditures fund the Police and Fire departments.

Albuquerque Police and Fire Departments - This budget invests in hiring more officers, fighting crime through community policing, enhanced addiction and mental illness services and Department of Justice compliance.

• Full funding to increase the Police Department by 100 officers.
• $6 million for a public safety vehicles sustaining fund.
• $1.7 million to increase the number of sergeants to enable community policing
• Expands the AFR Home Engagement and Alternative Response Team (HEART)
• $125,000 for community risk reduction that AFR and APD developed jointly to help schools and businesses recognize weak areas in safety and conduct threat assessments for events like active shooters.

Safe Neighborhoods – Safe and healthy streets, parks, transit systems and neighborhoods mean a better quality of life.

• $711,000 for the Addressing Dilapidated and Abandoned Property Team (ADAPT).
• $11.4 million for Animal Welfare, including spay and neuter vouchers and veterinary operations.
• $158,995 to enhance park security by adding security patrols to our City's amazing urban parks, in addition to cameras, lighting, fencing and other design features that are aimed at improving safety.

Homelessness and Substance Abuse - We know that to address homelessness and behavioral health, we need to take a multi-faceted approach.

• $3.2 million to keep the Westside Emergency Housing Shelter open year-round.
• $2 million of one-time money for housing vouchers and related housing first programs.
• $4.2 million for affordable housing and $8.2 million for homeless services. $6.9 million for mental health, substance abuse, early intervention and prevention programs, domestic violence shelters and services, sexual assault services, and services for abused youth.

Opportunities for Youth

Expanding Out-of-School Opportunities for Kids—Breaking the generational cycles of crime and poverty by ensuring every child in Albuquerque has an opportunity to stay safe and engaged.

• $1,000,000 to fund more than 80,000 youth slots in summer and out-of-school programming.
• $172,681 to keep every outdoor pool open until 8:00 p.m., seven days per week during the summer.
• Full general fund support to the Head Start program.

Jobs and the Economy

Increment of One—On the path to a more vibrant, innovative and inclusive city:  

• $1 million to create an innovative Increment of One Job Training program with CNM.
• $2 million to replenish the Local Economic Development Act fund.
• $7.7 million in Lodgers' Tax funds for tourism and economic development.