During a recent meeting of the Bernalillo County Board of Commissioners, significant discussions centered around the fiscal year 2026 budget adjustments, presented by Deputy County Manager Shirley Reagan and Accounting and Budget Director Jackie Sanchez. The meeting highlighted the county's ongoing financial management and compliance with state regulations.

The fiscal year 2026 budget, initially approved on May 13, 2025, has undergone necessary adjustments to align with state requirements. These adjustments were submitted to the New Mexico Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) on June 1, 2025, and received approval on August 14, 2025. This process is crucial as it ensures that Bernalillo County meets its obligations for outstanding vendor payments and ongoing project funding as of June 30, 2025.

The agenda for the meeting included two key motions. The first motion proposed the introduction of a financial resolution for budget adjustments totaling approximately $212 million in revenue and $237 million in expenditures. This includes over $38 million in prior year commitments from the general fund and nearly $199 million in non-general fund commitments. These figures reflect the county's efforts to carry forward both encumbered and unencumbered funds from the previous fiscal year into the current budget.

The second motion aimed to authorize the county manager or their designee to seek reimbursement for any projects funded by the General Fund that later receive alternative funding from other sources, such as grants or bonds. This initiative is designed to enhance financial efficiency and ensure that taxpayer dollars are utilized effectively.

The proposed budget adjustments and motions will be presented for final adoption at the administrative meeting scheduled for October 14, 2025. This meeting is expected to further clarify the county's financial strategies and commitments moving forward, ensuring transparency and accountability in its fiscal operations.