Bernalillo County approves ICIP and will ask voters on a $45 million bond while authorizing staff to return with a $10M reserve draw plan

The Bernalillo County Board of County Commissioners on June 23 adopted its 2028–2032 Infrastructure Capital Improvement Plan (ICIP) and voted to introduce a $45 million general‑obligation (GO) bond question for the November 3 ballot, preserving the county's current property tax rate.

The adopted ICIP catalogs 153 active projects with an estimated total project cost of about $400.2 million. CIP Director Kathy Court told the board the list reflects legislative grants, nonprofit capital projects, and county facility needs and that the new internal CIP database will publish project details to the public in early fall.

Why it matters: Commissioners face a large backlog of infrastructure needs while balancing taxpayer impacts. Two bond packages were presented: Option A (~$55 million) would require a modest tax‑rate increase; Option B (~$45 million) would not. After a prolonged deliberation and several amendments to the ICIP, the commission voted to move forward with Option B on the ballot and instructed staff to prepare a second, separate action that would use a one‑time $10 million draw from the county’s revenue stabilization operating reserve so the board can deliver roughly a $55 million program without increasing the tax rate.

Supporters of the reserve approach said the reserve was created to cover unexpected needs and that an independent economic analysis — provided in the meeting packet — indicated a $10 million draw would leave the county within the 3–5% policy band established by prior boards. Commissioner Eric Olivas argued the move reflected sensitivity to residents’ cost pressures: "Money is corrosive in politics," he said, urging steps to reduce outside influence without increasing taxes. Commissioner Barbara Baca, who sponsored the floor substitute, framed the proposal as a way to fund more projects without asking taxpayers for a marginal rate increase.

Staff cautioned the commission that auditors must confirm the proposed draw’s compliance with accounting and audit requirements and asked for authority to return on August 11 with two discrete items: (1) the $45 million bond resolution for final adoption to place on the ballot and (2) a separate reserve appropriation/authorization resolution identifying the $10 million draw and associated findings. County Manager Cindy Chavez and the deputy finance director said they will coordinate with auditors and bond counsel to ensure the transactions meet legal and audit standards before the final vote.

What the package contains: The adopted ICIP (as amended) includes a mix of road and trail projects, library allocations, senior and meal‑site projects, park and open‑space items and targeted improvements the commission prioritized as ready to break ground or be completed within two years of a bond sale. Commissioners amended several line items during the meeting, adding Westside open‑space language, clarifying the Atrisco Acequia Madre entry, and moving a set of road and park projects into the priority list.

Next steps: Staff will return to the commission on August 11 with the amended bond resolution for final approval and a separate resolution providing the technical documentation and auditor sign‑offs for any reserve draw. If the bond question is approved by voters in November, county staff said they will prioritize projects that can start or be completed within two years of a sale.

The commission took the floor substitute and associated direction by recorded voice vote; commissioners stated "I" and the motions passed with no recorded opposition. The board did not finalize any appropriation from the reserve at the June 23 meeting; that authorization will be considered separately after audit review.