Bernalillo County approves bonds, economic outreach and parks planning; glyphosate policy amended

Bernalillo County commissioners on March 25 adopted a package of financial and policy actions including the sale of 2025 general obligation bonds, approval of an affordable-housing project revenue bond conduit issuance and a set of resolutions covering economic development outreach and vegetation management.

The board front‑loaded finance actions and budget housekeeping before debating policy changes. The finance items included final approval of the county’s 2025 general obligation (GO) bond sale, routine write‑offs of old receivables and a project revenue bond conduit issuance to help an Albuquerque Housing Authority affordable housing project move forward.

Why it matters: The financial approvals release capital for county roads, parks, public safety and housing projects and free up local matching dollars the county can use for priority projects. The vegetation policy vote directs parks staff to complete a one‑year Integrated Vegetation Management and Maintenance Plan (IVMMP) and creates a temporary, limited exception allowing spot use of glyphosate in specified high‑hazard areas until the plan is adopted.

Key actions, motions and outcomes - Project revenue bond for Casitas Del Camino: Officers from Bernalillo County Economic Development presented a request for the county to act as conduit issuer for a project revenue bond supporting an Albuquerque Housing Authority project. The board approved the conduit issuance by motion (mover: Commissioner Barbara Baca; seconder: Vice Chair Barbola). Tally: 5–0. Details provided in staff slides: bond amount requested $16,500,000; 30‑year term; sources include 4% low‑income housing tax credits, city Workforce Housing Trust Fund, commercial debt/equity. The County is acting as conduit to help the developer obtain volume cap from the State Board of Finance.

- 2025 General Obligation bond series: Finance staff reported the final sale results. The county closed on GO bonds totaling about $32,980,049 (proceeds received March 11). The sale produced an overall true interest cost of about 3.25 percent and drew strong ratings (Moody’s Aaa, S&P Aaa, Fitch AA+). Motion to accept the financial resolution passed 5–0.

- Removal of uncollectible receivables: The board approved write‑offs of older, time‑barred receivables (total cited in presentation: $571,000 for FY 2020 and prior), following legal review of the statute of limitations on debt collection. Motion carried 5–0.

- Economic Development Community Dialogues resolution: Commissioners adopted staff’s proposed framework to stand up a community working group/steering committee, conduct town‑hall style dialogues, hire polling to gather community priorities and return with recommendations in the fall. Motion carried 5–0.

- Glyphosate restrictions and IVMMP timeline: Parks and Natural Resources staff and the IVMMP steering committee returned a revised resolution after a month of additional review. The board adopted an amended version that directs staff to finalize the IVMMP within 12 months (start date set by the board) and temporarily allows limited, spot glyphosate use in narrowly defined “high‑hazard” paved hardscape areas and for selected invasive‑species control until the plan is complete. The board added reporting requirements, landscape conversion priorities and a requirement that new/renovated landscapes limit herbicide use. The motion passed 4–1. Staff were directed to work with the steering committee and return mid‑year with progress updates.

Votes at a glance (selected items) - Consent agenda (items 6C/6D listed as Ordinance 2025‑513 and 2025‑514 by the clerk): approved 5–0. (Consent motion moved and seconded; roll call indicated unanimous approval.) - Project revenue bond (Casitas Del Camino): approved 5–0. (See text above.) - Financial resolution: Bernalillo County General Obligation Bond Series 2025 — accepted and budgeted (sale closed; proceeds received): approved 5–0. - Removal of uncollectible accounts receivable (FY 2020 and prior): approved 5–0. - Economic Development Community Dialogues (AR 2025‑29 et al.): approved 5–0. - Glyphosate use restrictions and IVMMP schedule (revised March 2025 version): approved 4–1 (one dissent). Commissioners asked staff to post the revised document and to continue engagement with the steering committee. - Housing development strategy (authorization to begin new housing development division work and related steps): approved 5–0.

What the board asked staff to do next - Parks/PROS: finalize the IVMMP within 12 months and report mid‑year; publish pesticide‑use records and include capital costs for high‑need landscape conversions in the final plan. - Economic Development: implement the community dialogues process, seat a steering committee, and bring findings back in early fall; explore stipends and support services for community steering‑committee members. - Finance/Housing: work with city partners to deploy funds from the recent state allocation and pursue shovel‑ready affordable housing projects.

Speakers listed in meeting record: Chair Olivas; Commissioners Barbara Baca, Frank Baca, Benson, Vargo and Vice Chair Barbola; County Manager (presentation and coordination); Executive Development Officer Gonzales (presented project revenue bond); Denise Benavides (finance presentation on GO bond sale); Jackie Sanchez and Stephanie Sanchez (presentation on receivables).