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Commission opens the door to State Fairgrounds redevelopment, approves intent to form tax‑increment district
Summary
The commission approved an administrative resolution declaring the county’s intent to form a State Fairgrounds Tax Increment Development District. Commissioners and staff emphasized community engagement and coordination with the state master‑planning process; final formation and financing details will return to the board in March.
Bernalillo County commissioners voted unanimously on Jan. 28 to adopt an administrative resolution declaring the commission’s intent to form a State Fairgrounds Tax Increment Development District (TID). The resolution begins a multi‑step process and schedules the final formation resolution for the March 11 meeting.
Why it matters: The state and county have discussed reuse of the State Fairgrounds property for years. A TID is a financing tool that captures future incremental property tax growth in a defined district to pay for public infrastructure that supports redevelopment. County officials said the measure is intended to support a state‑led master plan and fund public infrastructure identified in that plan.
Community engagement: Commissioners and economic development staff stressed that the TID will not substitute for community planning. Vice Chair Barboa asked county staff to deliver a robust community‑engagement workplan to the first TID board meeting; economic development director Marcos Gonzalez said staff and the state are already coordinating outreach and would post signage on the property and host public forums.
Governance and state role: The formation resolution names the Board of County Commissioners as the TID board for the initial phase. County bond counsel explained the statute allows either the county commission to serve or an appointed board; an appointed board becomes an elected board after six years. Because the state is a project partner, the state typically designates a representative — often the director of the State Board of Finance — to participate on the TID board.
Next steps: The resolution was an introduction; the county expects to return with a draft formation ordinance and further details on governance, community engagement and specific public infrastructure projects at the March 11 meeting. The state’s master‑plan procurement and RFP process for design teams is ongoing.
Sources: Jan. 28 Bernalillo County Commission administrative meeting, Economic Development Department presentation by Marcos Gonzalez.
