[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-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",[32,74,86,98],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_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":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",6570980,"mediaKeyId","3179465-8452852ff1c73cacd4b7463a69107f5f","parentId",3179465,"title","Councilors press HHH, ACS on housing vouchers, gateway operations and program spending","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",4242000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3179465-8452852ff1c73cacd4b7463a69107f5f&start=4242&end=4242","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3179465-8452852ff1c73cacd4b7463a69107f5f/thumbnail_4242000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6570980/Albuquerque/Bernalillo-County/New-Mexico/Councilors-press-HHH-ACS-on-housing-vouchers-gateway-operations-and-program-spending","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6570980-7e8fd974c492c33ca9f401a3b6e2de98/orig.mp4?Expires=1771137397&Signature=SPpJ6PlJsragLzAcystQK323DyMmXG1MLsPkJJxvT~TLnnTB6Ip7YgoZ24McUiLtUfWEctUHtQTKdGXDfFKTqNUkIL3nqpwK0X~ct32rXHlUr3Rbl5MOTBdxw1p3vbTHgdCfS4CYA9JD5kAxvGbisRx~zJe1l9NLjEwydbkxXu9Ud9pVM9coqBtd5bJiOdMzDDoQsSX4Z-qHNwUDno4HvzM9uKvm7KuD5YXc1LulP5ODk5Qq-FipbCDGzRJ4AocIDbPPkMxy~d1n1PFC8pVKk~0DuRL1462i37EdjgpDsbAvDA6yVvLQ5jaA0br9zw1Xwr3kla~OdF35fdpwwPqHrw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Albuquerque","date","2025-05-01T00:00:00Z","article","Albuquerque — Councilors on May 1 pressed city officials from Health, Housing & Homelessness (HHH) and Albuquerque Community Safety (ACS) about the administration’s plan for housing vouchers, the operation and potential purchase of a family shelter hotel, and coordination among city teams that respond to unsheltered people.

Key points:

Federal and local voucher funding: HHH Director Gilbert Ramirez told the council the FY26 budget includes transfers and non-recurring funding intended to support housing vouchers and moves to stabilize vouchers across the fiscal year. Councilors pressed staff on a federal HOME-ARP allocation (about $7.4 million) the city had received but not yet allocated; several councilors urged the administration to spend the HOME-ARP funds quickly for prevention and rental assistance to avoid reversion or slower draw-downs.

Gateway family shelter and contracting: HHH staff described the Gateway family hotel license arrangements and said the city currently uses a license agreement rather than a purchase. Staff said licensing and operating arrangements were intended to limit disruption for families and to preserve school and service continuity for children. Councilors asked about total annual costs, the number of rooms in the hotel, and whether purchasing the building (rather than continued licensing) would make fiscal sense; staff said licensing terms and building-condition issues complicate immediate purchase and said they would provide clarifying documentation requested by council.

Coordination and quick access: Councilors said Albuquerque Community Services and HHH needed to create clearer processes so first responders and crisis teams can access motel or voucher resources quickly. Councilors asked whether ACS and HHH could allow Albuquerque Community Services (ACS) crisis teams to reserve or deploy vouchers directly in urgent situations to reduce delay and repetitive calls—ACS director said the agencies had made progress in coordinating but noted grant and program rules sometimes limit where funds can be used.

ACS programs and winter transport: ACS leaders described a multi-pronged service model that includes a street-outreach team, a school-based violence-intervention program, opioid-education/response teams and an operational winter-transport service. Staff said winter transport last season carried several thousand people and cost on the order of tens of thousands of dollars; staff offered to provide a line-item breakdown of transport costs on request.

What happens next: Councilors asked HHH and ACS to produce a clear plan for HOME-ARP draw-down and to circulate documentation on Gateway contract terms, annual licensing/operating costs, and voucher allocations. Several councilors said they will press to move unused federal prevention funds into active rental-assistance programs to reach households at risk of losing housing.

Ending: Budget staff noted many lines are contingent on grant awards and interagency transfers; councilors requested more granular contract and program reporting before the May 15 markup.
","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Albuquerque - Committee of the Whole on 2025-05-01 5:00 PM - May 01, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","During the May 1 budget hearing councilors questioned Health, Housing & Homelessness and Albuquerque Community Safety staff about use and timing of federal housing funds, operation of the Gateway family site, and whether voucher programs and outreach teams are sufficiently resourced and coordinated.","taxTitle","Albuquerque, Bernalillo County, New Mexico","taxId",2710,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_46":80,"_48":81,"_50":82,"_52":83,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":84,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":85,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6570984,"Councilors press APD on staffing, command structure and pending end of DOJ oversight",130,3532000,3662000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3179465-8452852ff1c73cacd4b7463a69107f5f&start=3532&end=3662","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3179465-8452852ff1c73cacd4b7463a69107f5f/thumbnail_3532000.jpg","/articles/6570984/Albuquerque/Bernalillo-County/New-Mexico/Councilors-press-APD-on-staffing-command-structure-and-pending-end-of-DOJ-oversight","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6570984-a84c6a4cb4117d2bc4dd621c27115cd2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771137397&Signature=THIN1zLY69ANmx2hUg5c5BAqlyOYdskdpMPxJEA~NCMp92g1TRfT2pNfBdEh8992ERmG-fIIaWQG4Xmk2zFQWh3f2uiAy~CrsrhYgRGnYz5D0Os1v60VTVNg0Oy9mflHqF2uxVKbZXpU6j4N4dF0AYfFPggiFsHV~T4NdKetWrD0Zs9EjRJbUe0cEnFKLK9gcI8Hl7Ry~he5c~6miWf1WNCJBXdhBPs4pm2G3Dj24wJKGDhSMSXkmcp4QMGK0104dSk2I6HUMAVnzexDpLvFdt42vLtMOYkuSyGkoxLm5yc-uJhMvtsEGu0C91859FnE~vZXAZvWn8NBeyRPdoUN9w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Albuquerque — Albuquerque Police Department leaders told the City Council on May 1 that their department is funded for 1,000 sworn officers and that the chief expects to approach that level later in the year, but councilors pressed for detail on how vacancy savings and a shift in command staffing affect frontline patrol and response.

Chief Harold Medina and APD staff told the committee the department currently has roughly 900 sworn staff in the field and said about 462 marked units (police cars) were available to respond to calls for service. The chief described ongoing recruitment and academy classes, and said 37 officers were scheduled to start the next week with another 30 in the pipeline.

Councilors focused on three subjects:

Command staffing and span of control: Councilors reviewed an APD organizational snapshot that showed dozens of positions above the rank of lieutenant (deputy chiefs, majors, commanders and other senior roles). Several councilors said the department appeared “top heavy” and asked whether salaries and senior ranks could be rebalanced to fund more frontline positions. Chief Medina defended leadership increases as part of reforms required by the city’s consent decree with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and said additional supervisors were needed to ensure appropriate oversight, faster case reviews and compliance.

Vacancy savings and “program savings”: Councilors noted the FY26 proposed budget reflects a program-savings line of about $5.4 million in personnel for APD. Budget staff confirmed the amount represents modeled vacancy savings—dollars not expected to be spent during the year because positions will go unfilled—and said the administration used the same modeling approach citywide. Councilors asked whether the practice reduces transparency about actual funding for frontline positions and requested more explicit presentation of the personnel picture.

DOJ monitoring and complaint trends: Councilors asked the Civilian Police Oversight Agency and APD about complaint volume and investigative capacity. APD’s civilian oversight partner said complaint intakes had increased and assigned investigations numbered roughly 90 so far in the year; the Civilian Police Oversight Agency said it now has eight filled investigators and has budgeted for more. Chief Medina said DOJ’s monitor has moved to close out documents and that the department was in discussions about next steps; councilors pressed for a clear timeline and asked for written staffing requests tied to backlog reduction and compliance.

What happens next: Councilors asked for a clearer list of command-level positions, the number of investigators needed to reduce investigative backlogs, and a searchable account of the vacancy-savings assumptions driving personnel lines. APD and Civilian Police Oversight Agency staff agreed to provide details and staffing projections to inform council review before final adoption.

Ending: The council deferred budget adoption to May 8 for further work; APD pledged more detailed headcount and vacancy data to help the council evaluate staffing tradeoffs.","City Councilors questioned Albuquerque Police Department leadership about staffing levels, an increase in command-level positions, vacancy-driven program savings and the department’s status in the Justice Department settlement during the May 1 budget hearing.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_46":92,"_48":93,"_50":94,"_52":95,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":96,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":97,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6570991,"Councilors press administration on vacancy savings, fund balance and cannabis revenue transparency in FY26 budget",769,1476000,2245000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3179465-8452852ff1c73cacd4b7463a69107f5f&start=1476&end=2245","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3179465-8452852ff1c73cacd4b7463a69107f5f/thumbnail_1476000.jpg","/articles/6570991/Albuquerque/Bernalillo-County/New-Mexico/Councilors-press-administration-on-vacancy-savings-fund-balance-and-cannabis-revenue-transparency-in-FY26-budget","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6570991-c40709f59bf683801a29ec02f2333106/orig.mp4?Expires=1771137397&Signature=ncBXI21P0Mc36W4TeK7fcwHLPN19LwO-LJz1PYVjcnpScQOJ5YwY3yXP0-4Q1khlhesZR4TeMkRw4jJW4w1rz9Ooz53DcCQOkXHmo-hgBAiBUIecJRlWrSEj-B8X1aE8vx~uSRfz7lAg2g6s6j3VGDh34Qqzh34NqwBhEth7gSA5ag~uSAtsRODmx5TwqMWzQeb4Smm4~Ja9tvpmx8W0TdF5i7C5vtqcqB4J2RevAwIVCMbtMZedvkFvzistB-yZE5eTARQcuY5sjmXUjytWNJRQG902iaOaHCWjjyexHFxQDNzT6-GSUXYDSlfcMsGu08wKtfwaUWX37~oza3bofg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Albuquerque — City councilors pressed budget officials on May 1 about how the FY26 proposed operating budget treats vacancy savings, fund balance levels and the reporting of cannabis tax revenue, saying the administration’s presentation made it difficult for residents to track where reductions and increases occurred.

Council budget staff said the proposed FY26 resources total about $1.5 billion across all funds and that the general fund was balanced in the administration’s proposal. City economists and the budget office said gross receipts (GRT) tax estimates rose slightly for FY26 while noting “considerable uncertainty” remained in forecasts.

Councilor questions focused on three related concerns:

1) Vacancy savings and “program savings.” Councilors asked why budget documents show “program savings” or vacancy savings—money not budgeted for positions that are unlikely to be filled—treated as an available resource. Budget staff said departments historically do not fill all authorized positions; the administration models vacancy savings into the budget to reflect that reality. Several councilors called the terminology confusing and said dollars labeled as “savings” were effectively reallocated to other priorities rather than retained as reserves.

2) Fund balance size and risk. Councilors cited a proposed fund balance that, according to administration figures, would be low relative to Government Finance Officers Association guidance. Budget staff said the administration conservatively assumed zero reversion and no department reversions when building the fund balance estimate; they also noted the budget maintains the statutory 1/12 reserve (one month of operations). Councilors raised concerns that a low fund balance could raise auditor or credit risks and argued for larger reserves.

3) Cannabis tax transparency. Councilor Rogers and others asked why the cannabis tax—now placed in its own fund—was not clearly displayed in the GRT slide used for public presentation. Budget staff said the presentation aggregated all GRT and that separate tables exist showing cannabis receipts; staff offered to include the cannabis fund numbers in the next presentation and to distribute a “fun table” with details to the public.

Budget staff and administration replied the FY26 proposal includes recurring items such as negotiated wage increases and a $30.1 million transit subsidy; non-recurring items and transfers are also shown on departmental slides. Officials offered to provide more granular tables showing transfers, risk allocation changes (workers’ comp/tort adjustments) and the underlying reasons for any net decreases in department totals.

What happens next: Councilors asked for clearer line-item data and a public table showing cannabis receipts. They also signaled willingness to propose amendments to adjust reserves or reallocate funds ahead of the May 15 committee markup and the full council adoption on May 19.

Ending: The mayor’s FY26 proposal is set for additional public hearings on May 8 and May 15; budget staff said they will supply more detailed tables requested by councilors to improve transparency before the markup.","At a May 1 committee hearing councilors questioned the administration’s use of vacancy savings (program savings), low fund balance, and the treatment and reporting of cannabis tax revenue, arguing the presentation obscured tradeoffs and local accountability.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_46":104,"_48":105,"_50":106,"_52":107,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":108,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":109,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6570996,"Albuquerque residents press council to restore library funding amid branch closures and tech cuts",206,257000,463000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3179465-8452852ff1c73cacd4b7463a69107f5f&start=257&end=463","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3179465-8452852ff1c73cacd4b7463a69107f5f/thumbnail_257000.jpg","/articles/6570996/Albuquerque/Bernalillo-County/New-Mexico/Albuquerque-residents-press-council-to-restore-library-funding-amid-branch-closures-and-tech-cuts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6570996-c8ab0d006692959e934fa0c926e8201f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771137397&Signature=IXmgpqjkPqzaVMHLZ-Pj4tejJSsWo7eF2wrGNkEWFt2ZmT2nMnDnerDc15oi8sAmfpvvGbvCzLcFBWNIE8Ql1mhrstLlTGhvE6JTZFQve7Lg1iQNH8ZWUPmf8WTaGeUxxCB4UZKC5o81VAzpqosN0hO0PurF1cfQXsMNUAEiV1~nb7oH8seU6kN61fpnE2i~5lsvm3W-Gvgez4bJDA3Isa~5obfrdgjkmuFUdtG78PiopJU1Dg5NagSSzqB9CAEQdI4FvUZh2N~iclLMEzpJPiHyLAVm7gsHNsyDRZ7XknCWxkJqOHxWEazKG6vHaIsK~cQBsqRAKNwNXPOWuKpIcA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Albuquerque — Speakers at the City Council committee-of-the-whole budget hearing on May 1 urged the council to restore cuts to the Albuquerque/Bernalillo County Library System, saying lost staff and reduced information-technology funding have caused branches to close unexpectedly and reduced services for residents.

The appeals came during the hearing devoted to the city’s social-goal departments and followed a series of public comments from volunteers, library board members and nonprofit partners who described persistent problems at branches across the city.

Janet Sayers, a member of the Library Advisory Board, asked the council to “restore the minimum of $49,000 to the budget” for board operations and to return a recurring technology line item to $500,000, saying the larger recurring IT budget supported long-term reliability for systems and scheduling. “The library is part of city government and the city government family,” Sayers said. She told the committee the advisory board was rebuilding and planned to meet regularly and provide community input.

Julia Clark, the Albuquerque Public Library Foundation representative to the Library Advisory Board, told the council unscheduled closings have become “commonplace.” She said from July 1 through April 24 the system had 385 hours of unscheduled closings “because of a lack of staff,” and argued that restoring a $500,000 recurring IT line would “is an achievable first step for consistent public service and schedule reliability.”

Cheryl Muggleston, a retired library employee, testified that branches remain understaffed, that closures have cut programs and customer service, and that the system needs an increase in recurring funds to restore staffing and technology. She asked the council to consider a $2.5 million increase to restore staffing and critical technology resources across 19 branches.

Supporters from partner organizations also spoke. Kate Kopec of the Friends of the Library, a nonprofit that supplements library programming, said the Friends’ funding “cannot include staffing, technology and other major activities” and urged the council to oppose a proposed $50,000 cut and to consider a larger increase. Neil Copperman of AMP Concerts said library events draw thousands and that the libraries’ programming network supports free community concerts and outreach.

Council exchange and budget staff answers: In departmental Q&A the mayor’s budget staff and the Department of Arts & Culture explained a portion of the apparent reduction in the library’s line items reflected changes to risk and insurance allocations and transfers to other city-managed facilities (for example, a transfer tied to railyards operations). Budget staff said reductions in risk-assessment charges—based on lower recent claims—were allocated across departments, producing an apparent net decrease in several agencies’ accounts. City budget staff offered to circulate a more detailed breakdown of risk and transfer adjustments to the council.

What it means: Library advocates told the council they want an explicit, recurring IT line restored and more staff so branches do not close unexpectedly. Library officials said temporary employees fill many roles and that the system has shifted some weekend and Sunday schedules to maintain services. Proponents argued that reinstating recurring technology funding and restoring staff would reduce unscheduled closings and support programs used by job-seekers, students and senior residents.

Looking ahead: The city’s budget process includes two more hearings before adoption. Library advocates asked councilors to propose amendments or substitutes to restore recurring IT funding and additional staffing prior to the committee-of-the-whole markup and the full council adoption meeting later in May.

Ending: Library volunteers, retired staff and non-profit partners repeatedly asked the council to treat the library as a public-service priority and to restore consistent recurring funding for technology and staffing to reduce unscheduled branch closures and support the system’s 333,000 cardholders.","Public commenters, library board members and library advocates urged the City Council to restore recurring technology and staffing funds to the Albuquerque/Bernalillo County Library System during the May 1 budget hearing, citing branch closures, frequent unscheduled shutdowns and rising demand for digital services.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Councilors press HHH, ACS on housing vouchers, gateway operations and program spending

Councilors press APD on staffing, command structure and pending end of DOJ oversight

Councilors press administration on vacancy savings, fund balance and cannabis revenue transparency in FY26 budget

Albuquerque residents press council to restore library funding amid branch closures and tech cuts