Albuquerque city hall (Roberto E. Rosales / City Desk ABQ)

Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller’s administration released a $1.4 billion proposed budget for fiscal year 2025 on Tuesday. The 2.3% increase over last fiscal year focuses on big picture categories like public safety, housing, homelessness, behavioral health, jobs, the economy and more.

The city said in a news release that the budget takes into consideration post-pandemic recovery, inflationary pressures, the phasing-out of food and medical hold harmless payments and future revenue projections.

“We are focused on continuing to invest in public safety, and fully supporting our frontline workers and the programs and services they provide to help address our city’s challenges,” Keller said in a statement. “We’re implementing creative solutions to address homelessness and housing insecurity, and strengthening our neighborhoods to make our city better for all of our families.”

The city said a $5 million funding balance and 12% in reserves is similar to fiscal year 2024 and “ensures flexibility as we head into a tight economic year.”

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“The budget includes commitments to rank and file wage increases based on the city’s current collective bargaining agreements, as well as the millions in recurring funding added in the prior fiscal year to address pay equity,” the release said.

It said adjustments to planning, permitting and licensing fees are the first in more than 15 years and will allow for needed staffing.

“Golf course green fees, pool fees, and BioPark fee adjustments will help cover the inflation of expenses for maintaining these quality of life amenities,” the release said.

Key priorities in the mayor’s proposed budget for FY 2025The amount allocated for FY 2024
Funding for positions across APD, including 1,000 officers, an increase in Police Service Aids and civilian staff to support sworn staff and increase capacity1,040 full-time, sworn positions
Support for the Office of the Superintendent and the Independent Monitoring Team$21,679,000 for the Office of the Superintendent, $800,000 for continued U.S. Department of Justice compliance efforts, funding to pay the Independent Monitoring Team, and $1.7 million for External Force Investigation Team
Funding for ACS to continue to hire more field responders$11,697,00 for personnel
Funding to support wage increases for AFR$105,062,000 for personnel
Funding for the Automated Speed Enforcement programFully funded
Advancing Public Safety
Key priorities in the mayor’s proposed budget for FY 2025The amount allocated for FY 2024
 $1.25 million investment in the Job Training Albuquerque program $500,000
Full funding for the Small Business OfficeThe office is within the Economic Development Department which had a $4.6 million budget
Enhanced public safety technology and related staffing for our public transit system.The transit department had a $58.7 million budget this year.
$1 million for the Local Economic Development Act (LEDA) fund$1 million
Full funding for the Head Start program and the highly successful Youth Connect programsFully funded
Continued investments in sustainability efforts to help the City achieve goals set out in the Climate Action Plan and reduce utility costsContinued sustainability efforts toward achieving the goals set out in the American Climate Cities Challenge and Climate Action Plan
Funding for nuisance abatement efforts so that Code Enforcement and the ADAPT programFully funded
Duke City Ambassador programFully funded
Key Investments in Jobs, Sustainability, and Quality of Life
Key priorities in the mayor’s proposed budget for FY 2025The amount allocated for FY 2024
$8 million for supportive housing and voucher programs$14 million
$1.5 million for the medical respite facility at the Gateway Center$1.5 million
$1.5 million for the Westside Emergency Housing Center$1.2 million
$900,000 to fund an assisted outpatient treatment program$736,000
$730,000 in recurring funds to operate a medical sobering center
at the Gateway Center
$730,000
$500,000 to fund Albuquerque Street Connect$500,000
$100,000 for emergency housing vouchers for victims of
domestic violence
$100,000
$100,000 to develop a homelessness and behavioral
health technology system
$500,000
Homelessness, Housing, and Behavioral Health

Damon Scott has been a reporter and editor for many years in Albuquerque (his hometown), including serving as managing editor for Albuquerque Business First and Taos News, and in South Florida where he...

Carolyn Carlson is a co-editor of City Desk. Carolyn Carlson is an award- winning journalist covering local government for over 30 years in Central New Mexico. She is the former owner/publisher of The...

Elise Kaplan is the assistant editor for investigations and special projects at City Desk. Elise Kaplan has been reporting in and around Albuquerque for about a decade. After graduating from the University...

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