County Commissioners approve fiscal year 2026 budget of over $1 billion

The Bernalillo County Commission held an administrative meeting on May 13, 2025, focusing primarily on the approval of the fiscal year 2026 budget. Deputy County Manager for Finance, Shirley Reagan, presented the budget, thanking the county staff and officials for their collaboration throughout the preparation process.

Reagan outlined that the proposed budget includes a general fund of approximately $453.4 million and a non-general fund budget of about $306 million. She noted that the budget had been introduced during a previous meeting on April 22, 2025, following a series of workshops and discussions with elected officials and department heads.

During the meeting, the commissioners were invited to discuss the budget and consider motions for approval. County Manager Chavez expressed gratitude for the efforts of the staff in navigating a challenging budget season, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing community needs. A motion to approve the budget was made and seconded, prompting further discussion among the commissioners.

Commissioner Bach proposed an amendment to the budget, indicating that the discussion would continue as the commission deliberated on the specifics of the proposed financial plan.

The meeting underscored the collaborative efforts of the county officials in addressing budgetary challenges and highlighted the importance of community priorities in the fiscal planning process. Further discussions and decisions regarding the budget are expected in upcoming meetings.