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Bernalillo County managers present FY26 budget shortfall; balanced plan due to state by June 1
Summary
Bernalillo County officials told the Board of County Commissioners on April 10 that preliminary General Fund revenue for fiscal year 2026 is estimated at about $453 million while planned expenditures total roughly $475.5 million, leaving a gap of about $22.1 million.
Lede: Bernalillo County officials told the Board of County Commissioners on April 10 that preliminary General Fund revenue for fiscal year 2026 is estimated at about $453 million while planned expenditures total roughly $475.5 million, leaving a gap of about $22.1 million. Finance staff said the county must present a balanced FY26 budget to the New Mexico Department of Finance and Administration, Local Government Division by June 1.
Nut graf: The county-wide budget presentation brought department directors before the commission to explain increases driven mainly by salary and benefit adjustments, public safety overtime needs, and higher operations costs. Commissioners pressed staff for options to reduce the shortfall and for more detailed proposals before the April 22 and May budget hearings. County leaders emphasized they will explore one-time and recurring reductions, reallocation of funds, and targeted investments that could reduce longer-term operating costs.
Body: Finance reported that the FY26 General Fund request totals about $475.5 million, with gross receipts tax (GRT) and property tax remaining the two largest revenue sources. Presenters said payroll, benefits and market salary adjustments account for most of the proposed increases; payroll, payroll taxes and benefits make up about 64% of the $475.5 million total. Public safety overtime was specifically highlighted as a major recurring budget pressure.
County finance staff and the county manager asked departments to prepare options and reductions so commissioners can weigh trade-offs at the April 22 budget meeting and later workshops. Commissioners and the county manager said they prefer proposals that reduce recurring costs rather than simply using one-time funds to plug the gap.
Ending: Staff reiterated the June 1 DFA submission deadline and said they will return with a balanced proposal and a set of options that aim to preserve core services while addressing the identified $22.1 million shortfall. The meeting also recorded a procedural vote: the commission adopted the meeting agenda by a roll-call vote of 5-0 at the start of the session (no further ballot items were taken during the hearing).
