Commission approves permanent coordinator and budget adjustments for automated speed cameras

Bernalillo County commissioners voted 5‑0 to approve a budget increase and to create a permanent program coordinator position for the county’s automated speed enforcement program.

Deputy County Manager Edea Sarchelet told the commission the program went live in August 2024 after the county adopted an automated speed enforcement ordinance on Feb. 21, 2023. Citations began Sept. 25, 2024. Staff reported six permanent camera installations on county roads and one on a state road, with three more county installations planned in the coming months and a mobile camera used on a corridor to supplement fixed sites.

Sarchelet said the program’s first‑year intent was to use general‑fund support until revenues were sufficient to sustain operations. She said the county budgeted $825,000 in general funds for the program, spent $569,000 to date and had received $985,939 in net revenues. For administration of the now ongoing program, staff requested a permanent coordinator position with estimated salary and benefits of about $110,074 to be funded by program revenues going forward.

Program staff described the revenue flow and statutory obligations: contractual costs (vendor, retired certified law‑enforcement officers who issue citations under contract, and hearing officers) are paid first; state law requires 50% of revenues after operating costs be paid to the state, and the county retains the remaining 50% to fund traffic safety programs. Sarchelet said the retained funds will be used for traffic calming measures such as speed humps and speed‑feedback signs, intersection upgrades or signals, roundabouts, corridor lighting and similar safety investments.

Program staff reported 17,540 citations have been paid to date; based on an estimated 40% payment rate staff said the county has issued roughly 34,000 citations. Staff also reported a recent month‑to‑month decrease in paid citations — a decline from earlier monthly peaks of roughly 4,500–5,000 down to about 3,400 paid citations in February.

Commissioners asked about placement equity and potential overconcentration: commissioners and the sheriff’s office had raised concerns that several cameras had been sited in South Valley neighborhoods. Staff said locations were selected based on a high‑fatality/injury network established by the Regional Council of Governments and that mobile units allow the county to rotate enforcement to other corridors. Staff also said the county’s contract with the vendor covers installation, movement and damage (vandalism) costs; the vendor receives an initial $25 per citation for equipment and service (25% of $100 citation), then operating costs and statutory state share are deducted before the county’s retained share is calculated.

After discussion, commissioners approved the budget increase and creation of the program coordinator. Roll‑call votes recorded the approval (Frank Baca, Benson, Barbara Baca, Vice Chair Barboa and Chair Olivas voting yes).

Sarchelet said staff will return with one‑year trend data and that the county will continue outreach and coordination with the sheriff’s traffic unit on siting and operations.