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Bernalillo County behavioral health authority reports serving 53,209 people in FY25; vacancy rate at 22%
Summary
The county’s Behavioral Health Authority presented its FY25 annual report, detailing $54 million in expenditures, 53,209 unique individuals served and a 22% vacancy rate in direct‑care roles; commissioners praised transparency and asked staff to pursue workforce pipeline and Medicaid provider status.
Bernalillo County’s Behavioral Health Authority told the Board of County Commissioners on Dec. 10 that it served 53,209 unique individuals in fiscal year 2025 and recorded nearly $54 million in expenditures from a mix of behavioral health gross receipts tax, grants and opioid settlement funds.
Dr. Wayne Lindstrom, BHA director, said the division reorganized into two departments — Operational Supports and Integrated Services — to strengthen contracting, compliance, data analytics and delivery of crisis, detox, supportive housing, reentry and peer‑based programs. He said the division placed 1,045 people into permanent housing during the fiscal year and plans a public accountability dashboard slated for 2026.
Finance manager Fran Martinez Romero reported $5.6 million in reversions (unspent funds), largely tied to workforce‑related vacancy savings and program capacity. Lindstrom said the division is addressing a 22% vacancy rate in FY25 concentrated in direct‑care roles by developing workforce pipeline programs and training with an eventual goal of qualifying as a Medicaid provider.
Commissioners welcomed the consolidated presentation, with Vice Chair Barboa noting that the 53,209 figure represented unique individuals and Commissioner Frank Baca pressing for more detail on the workforce plan. Lindstrom said training, retention and early‑pipeline efforts would be prioritized, and that the county will continue partnering with UNM Hospital, Albuquerque Public Schools and the State Behavioral Health Collaborative.
The presentation was framed as progress under the county’s Behavioral Health Authority ordinance and prompted requests from commissioners for ongoing monthly reporting on performance metrics and vacancy mitigation work.
