[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6105176,"mediaKeyId","2786991-3cb5026d088b47f2503169e70b8c376a","parentId",2786991,"title","Commission hears staff analysis of fund balances and reserves; staff to examine policy targets","audioSeconds",12430,"startMs",12430000,"endMs",-1,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2786991-3cb5026d088b47f2503169e70b8c376a&start=12430&end=0","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2786991-3cb5026d088b47f2503169e70b8c376a/thumbnail_12430000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6105176/Bernalillo-County/New-Mexico/Commission-hears-staff-analysis-of-fund-balances-and-reserves-staff-to-examine-policy-targets","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6105176-5bb0232b1ddffb1b83a3e3bc00013338/orig.mp4?Expires=1771155441&Signature=bBmY5xVRhTqvwTMYNR8-jyRy8Q7oBJhXZQrlbvkoffE~mcrYhl8s2PsN0N9KxdJPXPcZPGqVniEI2Wd-KlWaM5S272gaJpQDJdl7ebdQYGPiw1UonJNUpsZM~YxeLZSS3qfspr0bk-c9qDvqeUpL32tWaunrE1FJahzX5hQEUiPUj8t40AhretaKumctxYUl1JHwx918EInrPj~us8QUabsctnF6tYfStuCsScvpyzWKgzH1dlqinUAlhTts8WDAxuSU50qxalbbaxBQvH8pJ~FSBMq5wc6MAo9XXvCdpbGT~Ofs4hU0fSf42Mqqx-hyo-IzgVYV0g28c--d62MwaA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Bernalillo County, NM","date","2025-03-27T04:48:58.633Z","article","Bernalillo County Finance staff on March 25 presented a comprehensive review of fund balances as of fiscal year 2024, described the legal and accounting categories that define reserves, and explained the composition of the county’s restricted and assigned balances.

Lede: Finance leaders told the Board that the county’s unaudited FY24 fund balance showed a significant assigned component made up of encumbered carryovers, project reserves and contingency amounts and asked commissioners to consider how the county’s policy targets and reserve levels should be adjusted for the county’s size and revenue mix.

Nut graf: The presentation explained GASB‑54 fund‑balance categories (non‑spendable, restricted, committed, assigned, unassigned), the DFA required 25 percent reserve, and an internal one‑month 5 percent operating reserve the county maintains. Staff listed a range of assigned capital reserves, tech investments and public‑safety project set‑asides that existed at year end and described the accounting reasons encumbered and unspent appropriations increase fund balance at the fiscal year close.

Key points from the presentation
- General fund: FY24 unaudited general fund balance shows a substantial assigned portion (staff cited a figure for assigned fund balance in presentations); much of the assigned balance are encumbered or unspent carryovers for projects that span fiscal years (software installations, construction, capital). Staff noted turnover of POs and carryovers as typical and requested clarity on policy targets to guide use of those funds.
- Capital and special revenue funds: The capital projects fund includes GO bond proceeds, impact fees and open‑space mill levy proceeds with various restrictions. Special revenue funds include dedicated GRT funds (behavioral health, health care GRT) and opioid settlement monies; staff briefed the commission on individual uses and noted the largest special revenue fund balance was behavioral health GRT (presented separately by Behavioral Health staff).
- Receivables and write‑offs: The accounting presentation regarding time‑barred receivables (discussed in the nominated write‑off motion) was anchored to state statute on limitations and legal opinions guiding removal from the books.

Board response and next steps: Commissioners praised the transparency and asked staff to return with a recommendation on reserve targets, comparing peer jurisdictions. Chair Olivas asked staff to supply an annual debt report and to highlight transactions that drive large one‑time balances; Commissioners requested additional cash‑flow and turnover metrics so a year‑end snapshot can be interpreted correctly.

Speakers: Deputy County Manager Shirley Reagan led the presentation, with support from staff in Finance, Accounting & Budget and the County Manager’s office. Commissioners pressed for more comparative peer analysis and for a process to recommend policy changes that determine long‑term target reserve levels.

Implementation: Staff committed to brief the commission on a refined proposal that models alternate reserve targets (e.g., a 30% target used by some state governments vs. current combined 30% guidance) and to include debt service implications and recommended offsets if changes are proposed.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Bernalillo County Commission: Administrative Meeting 3-25-2025 Revised","oneSentenceSummary","Finance staff briefed commissioners on a detailed FY24 fund‑balance reconciliation and asked the Board to consider whether current reserve targets and the county’s mix of restricted/assigned funds remain appropriate for Bernalillo County’s size and revenue profile.","taxTitle","Bernalillo County, New Mexico","taxId",2692,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6105188,"Bernalillo County approves bonds, economic outreach and parks planning; glyphosate policy amended",7745,13195000,5450000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2786991-3cb5026d088b47f2503169e70b8c376a&start=13195&end=5450","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2786991-3cb5026d088b47f2503169e70b8c376a/thumbnail_13195000.jpg","/articles/6105188/Bernalillo-County/New-Mexico/Bernalillo-County-approves-bonds-economic-outreach-and-parks-planning-glyphosate-policy-amended","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6105188-65025c01123b3d1098ea18d08bf03d87/orig.mp4?Expires=1771155441&Signature=CRgx4cnh~HAMeIxpRRAykc6VzNojYRI1xlNbWG-hMwKm9wc48ZRTREDIN1gHDiyy93CN-VRotP5Fbyz~jL6id4FO63WTeDKFpOdUUBqFqrEu9GNMJL5k9VHgWClk5jL3ii~itHQBE-XPp3HBlz--8fb2li-lm5uCgFEee2wgdYqrsa6~AXzVkBVlEkwPM3OKjSl-p73nixJqL8iADLbP~UKUzoALWbZp7fP7FcEpvVcc9RqDVbIjj2jeoaZOjKGJOFjXCnUvrO98bHytQ-WizCRS8KbgtYJ5MIiqPraizZEd1LM0Ntb1QyiKYnc2SRKBQhgDC8gdtn84ejdEVX~fiA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Bernalillo County commissioners on March 25 adopted a package of financial and policy actions including the sale of 2025 general obligation bonds, approval of an affordable-housing project revenue bond conduit issuance and a set of resolutions covering economic development outreach and vegetation management.

The board front‑loaded finance actions and budget housekeeping before debating policy changes. The finance items included final approval of the county’s 2025 general obligation (GO) bond sale, routine write‑offs of old receivables and a project revenue bond conduit issuance to help an Albuquerque Housing Authority affordable housing project move forward.

Why it matters: The financial approvals release capital for county roads, parks, public safety and housing projects and free up local matching dollars the county can use for priority projects. The vegetation policy vote directs parks staff to complete a one‑year Integrated Vegetation Management and Maintenance Plan (IVMMP) and creates a temporary, limited exception allowing spot use of glyphosate in specified high‑hazard areas until the plan is adopted.

Key actions, motions and outcomes
- Project revenue bond for Casitas Del Camino: Officers from Bernalillo County Economic Development presented a request for the county to act as conduit issuer for a project revenue bond supporting an Albuquerque Housing Authority project. The board approved the conduit issuance by motion (mover: Commissioner Barbara Baca; seconder: Vice Chair Barbola). Tally: 5–0. Details provided in staff slides: bond amount requested $16,500,000; 30‑year term; sources include 4% low‑income housing tax credits, city Workforce Housing Trust Fund, commercial debt/equity. The County is acting as conduit to help the developer obtain volume cap from the State Board of Finance.

- 2025 General Obligation bond series: Finance staff reported the final sale results. The county closed on GO bonds totaling about $32,980,049 (proceeds received March 11). The sale produced an overall true interest cost of about 3.25 percent and drew strong ratings (Moody’s Aaa, S&P Aaa, Fitch AA+). Motion to accept the financial resolution passed 5–0.

- Removal of uncollectible receivables: The board approved write‑offs of older, time‑barred receivables (total cited in presentation: $571,000 for FY 2020 and prior), following legal review of the statute of limitations on debt collection. Motion carried 5–0.

- Economic Development Community Dialogues resolution: Commissioners adopted staff’s proposed framework to stand up a community working group/steering committee, conduct town‑hall style dialogues, hire polling to gather community priorities and return with recommendations in the fall. Motion carried 5–0.

- Glyphosate restrictions and IVMMP timeline: Parks and Natural Resources staff and the IVMMP steering committee returned a revised resolution after a month of additional review. The board adopted an amended version that directs staff to finalize the IVMMP within 12 months (start date set by the board) and temporarily allows limited, spot glyphosate use in narrowly defined “high‑hazard” paved hardscape areas and for selected invasive‑species control until the plan is complete. The board added reporting requirements, landscape conversion priorities and a requirement that new/renovated landscapes limit herbicide use. The motion passed 4–1. Staff were directed to work with the steering committee and return mid‑year with progress updates.

Votes at a glance (selected items)
- Consent agenda (items 6C/6D listed as Ordinance 2025‑513 and 2025‑514 by the clerk): approved 5–0. (Consent motion moved and seconded; roll call indicated unanimous approval.)
- Project revenue bond (Casitas Del Camino): approved 5–0. (See text above.)
- Financial resolution: Bernalillo County General Obligation Bond Series 2025 — accepted and budgeted (sale closed; proceeds received): approved 5–0.
- Removal of uncollectible accounts receivable (FY 2020 and prior): approved 5–0.
- Economic Development Community Dialogues (AR 2025‑29 et al.): approved 5–0.
- Glyphosate use restrictions and IVMMP schedule (revised March 2025 version): approved 4–1 (one dissent). Commissioners asked staff to post the revised document and to continue engagement with the steering committee.
- Housing development strategy (authorization to begin new housing development division work and related steps): approved 5–0.

What the board asked staff to do next
- Parks/PROS: finalize the IVMMP within 12 months and report mid‑year; publish pesticide‑use records and include capital costs for high‑need landscape conversions in the final plan.
- Economic Development: implement the community dialogues process, seat a steering committee, and bring findings back in early fall; explore stipends and support services for community steering‑committee members.
- Finance/Housing: work with city partners to deploy funds from the recent state allocation and pursue shovel‑ready affordable housing projects.

Speakers listed in meeting record: Chair Olivas; Commissioners Barbara Baca, Frank Baca, Benson, Vargo and Vice Chair Barbola; County Manager (presentation and coordination); Executive Development Officer Gonzales (presented project revenue bond); Denise Benavides (finance presentation on GO bond sale); Jackie Sanchez and Stephanie Sanchez (presentation on receivables).","Bernalillo County commissioners on March 25 approved a set of financial moves — including the sale of 2025 general obligation bonds and a conduit issuance for an affordable housing project — adopted a new process for economic‑development community dialogues and approved a revised vegetation‑management resolution that allows limited spot use of glyphosate while directing staff to complete an Integrated Vegetation Management and Maintenance Plan within a year.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6105185,"County narrows glyphosate exceptions, orders yearlong finish of Integrated Vegetation Management Plan",3632,5484000,9116000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2786991-3cb5026d088b47f2503169e70b8c376a&start=5484&end=9116","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2786991-3cb5026d088b47f2503169e70b8c376a/thumbnail_5484000.jpg","/articles/6105185/Bernalillo-County/New-Mexico/County-narrows-glyphosate-exceptions-orders-yearlong-finish-of-Integrated-Vegetation-Management-Plan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6105185-d6e4c4cffc9c0c0f12f02eeb42ae1b2d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771155441&Signature=RzxuqGRt9CwV7d-3bzsfps4BrX8gCXCs6m8HbcTvS5BaHf6HTHGVAENzgoNLUaH-1ysQifeIuKBdeOPOpNxkCTqaS76cpbWnkDL8s1EyBWXoqO1aLaCjyln8lb9qp0JYKyddKa3XFCILcPzA9t2Ci-huE0n0-S4R59DA4LTxtIbM66Bt7alboN6z0FoeqagvOsFWmGzptZDYKV79U-hi43XTzj2PjMYR2tt6M81EcF001hpGoo8Snt2k1GW23a2bMxrywNN1BAnT1BvnUs~C3OjhHktB17LMEwyfFgD3i5FjHffDmVq3rpiEWkg5kcxedfSHzKjPywAA0cxu5vWJtA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Bernalillo County on March 25 adopted a revised vegetation‑management resolution directing Parks, Recreation & Open Space (PROS) and Natural Resources staff to complete an Integrated Vegetation Management and Maintenance Plan (IVMMP) within roughly 12 months and to include landscape conversion priorities and design standards.

Lede: The board voted 4–1 to approve a March‑revised resolution that (1) rescinds the existing administrative moratorium language from 2019, (2) requires the county to finish an IVMMP within one year, and (3) temporarily permits limited, narrowly defined spot use of glyphosate in high‑hazard paved hardscape areas and for invasive species control until the plan is adopted.

Nut graf: Commissioners and community members debated safety, alternatives and staff training. Staff said mechanical and organic controls have been less effective and more labor intensive and asked for a limited temporary exception while the IVMMP is finalized; community members and public commenters urged stricter limits or an outright ban. The approved motion tightened the areas where glyphosate may be used, added reporting and recordkeeping requirements, committed to reduced herbicide use in new or renovated landscapes, and directed the IVMMP to include costed capital projects to convert high‑maintenance “gravel/cobble” landscapes to lower‑maintenance native plantings.

What passed: The adopted March 2025 resolution (amended on the floor) includes the following principal provisions: a one‑year period for development and adoption of the IVMMP; requirement that the plan include an expanded integrated pest management (IPM) section, landscape design standards, a capital improvement plan prioritizing landscape conversions, peer‑reviewed best practices, and herbicide use records; a temporary, narrowly circumscribed glyphosate exception through an interim date (as adopted by the board) to permit spot treatments in pavement joints/cracks, non‑vegetated medians and other high‑hazard paved hardscape areas, and allowance for glyphosate as last‑resort invasive species control per IPM guidance; and a prohibition on glyphosate for new and renovated landscapes except as approved by the IVMMP.

Why commissioners changed the resolution: Chair Olivas asked staff and the steering committee to reconvene after a February deferral. Staff and the steering committee incorporated changes to clarify which sites qualify for temporary exceptions, to require more explicit capital‑conversion planning, and to add language that acknowledges scientific concerns while saying risks can be mitigated with proper training and personal protective equipment.

Public input and staff concerns: Public commenters included a county parks maintenance worker who urged spot glyphosate use with appropriate PPE to increase efficiency and safety for crews working on medians and road shoulders; other residents urged stricter limits citing litigation and scientific studies. Staff emphasized that mechanical removal has been labor intensive, that many gravel/cobble landscapes trap seed and are difficult to manage, and that converting those landscapes to native plantings will reduce long‑term maintenance and pesticide reliance.

Next steps: The resolution requires PROS and Natural Resources to complete the IVMMP in 12 months, present a midyear progress report, and include: landscape conversion CIP estimates; specific best practices by landscape type; integrated pest management protocols; and a public record of herbicide usage. Commissioners also asked staff to work with the steering committee and to include guidance for staff safety on high‑traffic sites.

What it does not do: The adoption does not permanently lift the moratorium without conditions; rather it replaces prior language with a tightly structured, time‑limited framework intended to reduce herbicide use long term while addressing worker safety in high‑hazard sites.

Quotes (selected)
\"We are asking for a temporary exception in narrow circumstances because mechanical controls have been ineffective in some high‑hazard settings,\" said Colleen Bronson, Stormwater Compliance Program Lead, Public Works and Natural Resource Services (presentation). \"The IVMMP will include design standards and a CIP for landscape conversion to reduce long‑term herbicide dependence.\"

\"We need to continue to reduce chemicals and invest in native plant conversions,\" said Commissioner Barbola, arguing for strict limits on where herbicides may be used.

\"Risks of glyphosate use can be mitigated through proper training and PPE,\" County legal and staff counsel noted, language later incorporated in the amended resolution.

Speakers and roles in the record: The discussion included input from Parks/PROS staff and the IVMMP steering committee, testimony by union maintenance workers who perform roadside and median work, and multiple public commenters. The board deferred to staff for a detailed IVMMP process and set reporting expectations.

Implementation risk and monitoring: Implementation is medium risk: the county must complete a multi‑departmental plan with capital projects, incorporate public comment and peer review, and meet a 12‑month deadline while maintaining daily operations. The resolution establishes explicit reporting and recordkeeping to allow future audit and evaluation of herbicide use and landscape conversion costs.","Bernalillo County voted 4–1 on March 25 to replace its older glyphosate rules with a revised resolution that allows limited, temporary spot use of glyphosate in narrowly defined high‑hazard paved areas while ordering staff to finish an Integrated Vegetation Management and Maintenance Plan within one year.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6105171,"Mountain View gets a sector plan, park design work and an environmental inventory effort",1295,16252000,17547000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2786991-3cb5026d088b47f2503169e70b8c376a&start=16252&end=17547","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2786991-3cb5026d088b47f2503169e70b8c376a/thumbnail_16252000.jpg","/articles/6105171/Bernalillo-County/New-Mexico/Mountain-View-gets-a-sector-plan-park-design-work-and-an-environmental-inventory-effort","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6105171-9ae2ef0f64b5e99f134ded3e7284f7ef/orig.mp4?Expires=1771155441&Signature=IrxTeKwIHqUT5Lmjw0iUwnCU6Vc3mhiYzK0vK8cPfaM0AQRFR0a5Jkw1~yl~wBpsp519HapnEZLvLq8NsY7mfCJu0EL5Da7Y9S0ig93x1OxCOwSx4kX3hi54KkFfHEF32kdQGIOybWPzSW96pg4ekW9cvqaGTxuyEC5KIiQzCK2JoGFy99e26m5S0S~-j1l34Amp~sSlpYE1pdvuah-fWgOrmJXv-wunXooqayAvz0Z9~Ejpg3fnxmhMAfMntvrCItkjdv0r-OYd3lL6VEeM4tS2NKk83oBR39RiHUgVchgJtmsvYxk0dQgYcF9NsOeApht4OsFUmaxfcglt3QXA7g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Bernalillo County staff updated the Board on three coordinated efforts for the Mountain View neighborhood: a sector plan to guide land use and growth, a neighborhood park program being developed with local schools and residents, and an environmental inventory leading to a gap‑mapping analysis.

Lede: Planning, Parks and Natural Resources staff told the commission they have convened a multi‑stakeholder steering committee and held public open houses to develop a sector plan, identify preferred park locations and scope a county‑led environmental inventory to gather permits, reports and regulatory data for private‑sector sites in Mountain View.

Nut graf: The combined approach is intended to position the county to align capital projects, clean‑up and planning initiatives with community needs. Staff emphasized extensive outreach — including student participation at Mountain View Elementary — and said the three efforts will inform one another: the sector plan will guide land use and capital priorities; the park plan will pursue a 4.5‑acre neighborhood park with community preferences for sports fields and interpretive features; and the environmental inventory will collect regulatory data that informs remediation and public‑safety priorities.

Sector plan status: Planning and Development Services convened a steering committee with representation from neighborhood groups, businesses, APS community schools and non‑profits. Two additional public open houses are scheduled (April 8 and mid‑summer), with a draft plan for public review expected in late summer and formal public‑hearing steps to follow.

Park planning: Parks staff ran a community programing process for a proposed neighborhood park. Community input and student design exercises show preferences for a multi‑sport field, hard‑surface courts and a trail with interpretive signage. Staff have narrowed potential locations to two candidates — a site near Mountain View Elementary and a parcel north of the Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility treatment plant — and will pursue a deeper property‑availability and cost review. Preliminary cost estimate for a fully featured park (excluding land acquisition) is roughly $2.3 million; staff said the currently available appropriation is $1.0 million, so additional funding will be needed to build the preferred feature set.

Environmental inventory: Natural Resource Services (NRS) explained the county originally budgeted $250,000 for an environmental improvement survey. An initial solicitation returned bids that exceeded available funding. NRS revised the scope to prioritize a focused environmental inventory and mapping deliverable (to aggregate relevant permits, reports and agency responsibilities into a single searchable resource). Staff will re‑issue the narrower scope and anticipate selecting a contractor by April 30; the final deliverable for the revised scope would be available in October 2026. The full gap‑mapping analysis (county project/process alignment and cost estimates) is planned once the sector plan, park planning and initial inventory are sufficiently advanced.

Community engagement and next steps: Staff stressed cross‑departmental collaboration and multiple upcoming community events. The board welcomed the update and asked staff to continue monthly reporting to the steering committee, including community materials on property and cost tradeoffs for park siting and to return with progress reports as the inventory/sector plan work advances.

Speakers and roles: Planning and Development Services Director Nick Hamm presented the sector plan update; Parks planning manager John Barney presented park engagement and preliminary cost estimates; Natural Resource Services manager Dan McGregor outlined the revised environmental inventory scope and procurement plan. A local steering committee and residents have participated throughout the process.

Implementation risks and funding: Park construction will require land acquisition or an intergovernmental agreement for a publicly owned parcel; staff will pursue grant opportunities, additional county appropriations and philanthropic support. The environmental inventory was scaled back to match funds but noted the gap‑mapping stage will require additional resources.","County staff presented coordinated updates on a Mountain View sector plan, a proposed neighborhood park and an environmental improvement survey. The three efforts are being aligned with a community steering committee and will proceed with further public meetings, property review and an initial scope for the environmental inventory.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6105181,"County creates housing development strategy as state funding approaches",0,9169000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2786991-3cb5026d088b47f2503169e70b8c376a&start=9169&end=9169","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2786991-3cb5026d088b47f2503169e70b8c376a/thumbnail_9169000.jpg","/articles/6105181/Bernalillo-County/New-Mexico/County-creates-housing-development-strategy-as-state-funding-approaches","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6105181-3d646aafe3588037636cad77ddf1e3d2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771155441&Signature=TiZSO5mUpM9CyH4oCJKBrC5u5AjnqdwMmp04aX6b93uKWgogCzPIbPHbxewPdzOoAGFwuNCrQ82WnuKnpumbbRuVa05u0fkbKk1PKbDJDhO8hgCQpglB~svtBVlxrbLE6sWyUsAm6URnwdWjzmZTOFu~ORkEH7nKo-BVupw6y-SUw57chVd7c8zvFd1VvwzDJAuBibFmjXYi8mvbK6GNFX82P7j62OGJfRfAKFzHCc2BCOFEqYxLZMDChLTS8P7mUEkDTa26jzivyIvV1WoAYDdhjNrqmhDMrAVXBVICVThIuFl-5r~iUZdv-BOW7acYwFxBv~jFgzJjVbZT9XXw-Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Bernalillo County commissioners on March 25 backed staff’s plan to create a county housing development capability and to begin using new state housing funds should the governor sign legislation pending at the time of the meeting.

Lede: The board approved a strategy to accelerate affordable‑housing development, including a request to staff to begin work on a dedicated Housing Development Division to coordinate projects, leverage low‑income housing tax credits, and partner with the City of Albuquerque and nonprofit developers. The motion passed 5–0.

Why it matters: The Legislature had appropriated funds during the 2025 session that would direct capital for housing to counties and cities; Bernalillo County staff told commissioners the county expects to receive an allocation and must show the state it can move quickly to deploy funds to create permanent supportive housing, workforce housing and other affordable units. Creating an in‑house development capacity is part of that readiness strategy.

Plan highlights presented by Economic Development staff
- New Housing Development Division: staff asked for three new positions (division leader, facilitator and executive assistant) to begin work on development pipelines and coordination. Given the tight FY26 budget, staff said the hires might be staged or contracted until permanent funding can be established; commissioners asked staff to identify offsets if positions are added in FY26.
- Project examples: staff highlighted Tierra Linda, a mixed rehab/new project with 42 refurbished units and 46 new units, noting a current financing gap (about $4 million cited in presentation) despite LIHTC and other sources, and identified other shovel‑ready projects that could use immediate capital.
- Coordination: staff emphasized a collaborative approach with the City of Albuquerque, Albuquerque Housing Authority, providers and behavioral health partners; behavioral health wraparound services were highlighted as critical to permanent supportive housing success.

Board direction and next steps: The commission approved the strategy and asked staff to return with staffing options, proposed offsets and a timeline for deploying state funds and matching local resources. Commissioners emphasized prioritizing permanent supportive housing for people with serious behavioral health needs and projects that can be built quickly. Staff said they would coordinate closely with the city and other partners and bring specific project appropriations back to the board for approval.

Speakers: County Manager and Economic Development staff described state and local funding, with detailed comments from Executive Development Officer Gonzales (project revenue bond and development funding mechanics) and Director Marcos (participated in discussion). Commissioners asked for data‑driven prioritization and for transparency about project quality, location and long‑term affordability monitoring.

Implementation risk: medium. County staff said key risks are rising construction costs, softening LIHTC equity markets, and the short timeframe to deploy legislative funds; staff recommended beginning work immediately to demonstrate capacity to state decisionmakers.

What the board asked staff to return with: a budget for the three positions (including options to delay hires to FY27), a prioritized pipeline of shovel‑ready projects, and recommendations for how to use the county share of any state allocation in partnership with the city and nonprofits.","Bernalillo County approved a plan to stand up a housing development function and to coordinate city‑county use of a pending state allocation for housing. Staff will seek initial funding for three FTEs for the proposed Housing Development Division and pursue shovel‑ready affordable and supportive housing projects.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commission hears staff analysis of fund balances and reserves; staff to examine policy targets

Bernalillo County approves bonds, economic outreach and parks planning; glyphosate policy amended

County narrows glyphosate exceptions, orders yearlong finish of Integrated Vegetation Management Plan

Mountain View gets a sector plan, park design work and an environmental inventory effort

County creates housing development strategy as state funding approaches