Bernalillo County staff presented the county’s proposed 2026 capital‑outlay priorities and legislative policy recommendations and asked the commission to approve them for introduction so lobbyists could begin meetings with lawmakers. Kathy Korte, the county’s chief of government affairs, summarized priorities drawn from the county’s 2027–2031 ICIP and district requests.

Staff highlights: The proposed countywide priorities included Mesa Del Sol (phase 4 of the youth‑sports complex), El Centro and Seybold Village sidewalks and curb ramps, and a focused road rehabilitation program. Public‑safety priorities included a Youth Services Center expansion, an Advanced Public Safety Training Center, BCSO technology upgrades and Second Judicial District courthouse improvements. District projects spanned athletic facilities, community centers, sidewalks, storm drains and East Mountain roadwork.

Commissioner input: Commissioners asked multiple substantive changes before finalizing the list. Commissioner Frank Baca urged a stronger focus on drainage and road rehabilitation for the South Valley and proposed combining several smaller park projects into a single “park/rehabilitation” category to give legislators flexibility. He also requested adding the Condorshire intersection safety project and asked staff to include $500,000 for lighting on South Coors Boulevard. Commissioner Bartley pushed to keep shovel‑ready projects such as the Rio Grande Food Project “Roots Room” and noted the importance of both roads and community facilities. Chair Olivas recommended that staff coordinate a working session and circulate a short survey to commissioners and legislative partners to refine priorities.

Why it matters: Capital outlay decisions determine what projects county lobbyists ask the Legislature to fund during the 30‑day 2026 session; commissioners emphasized the need to present a focused, legislative‑ready package and to align county priorities with interim committee work and state funding trends.

Action: The commission approved introduction of the capital‑outlay priorities but voted to defer final adoption to the Sept. 23 meeting to allow staff to incorporate commissioner feedback and to brief the county’s lobbyists for an early legislative outreach campaign.

Next steps: Staff will prepare a revised packet for final action on Sept. 23, conduct outreach to legislators and brief the commission on a narrowed, legislatively actionable priorities list.