Author
By Jesse Jones, The Paper. — For Bernalillo County families already stretched by rising costs, the new county budget aims to lighten the load, with no tax hikes and more free programming at community centers.
Faced with an $8.5 million budget gap, county leaders balanced the $857.7 million budget without raising taxes or cutting services, preserving programs residents rely on most. The budget represents the first year of a two-year spending plan commissioners approved. Revenue is projected to grow 4.9% in fiscal year 2027, fueled by property taxes, gross receipts taxes and investment income, though rising costs continue to eat into those gains. Bernalillo County Policy and Budget Director Haley Kadish told City Desk rising technology contracts and higher medical expenses at the Metropolitan Detention Center helped create the gap. Rather than passing costs to taxpayers, Kadish said the county froze about $6.8 million tied to 100 to 150 positions vacant for more than 200 days — positions departments had already been operating without.
Deputy County Manager for Finance Shirley Ragin told City Desk gross receipts taxes account for about 49% of general fund revenue and property taxes make up 45%. “Even though we are a governmental agency, we need to think like we’re for-profit because we’ve got so much going on,” she said. Kadish said residents often overestimate the county’s spending when comparing it to the City of Albuquerque. Because the state requires cash-basis accounting, the county carries about $300 million forward each year, making the budget appear much larger on paper even though actual spending is about half the size of the city’s, she said.
Commissioners approved a 1% raise for eligible employees, 911 Emergency Communications Center electrical upgrades, expanded MDC medical services and more public safety and library funding. The county’s seven-week summer camp costs $290, but a sliding-fee scale allows a family of four earning up to $107,000 annually to attend for a as little as a $10 registration fee. Community centers will also offer additional low- and no-cost summer recreation programs.
Looking ahead, the county plans to shift to zero-based budgeting in FY 28, a model where departments start from a zero baseline and must justify spending based on specific services rather than requesting standard increases. Kadish said the county will use FY 27 to test new templates and processes to give decision-makers a clearer picture.
The county submitted its budget to the New Mexico Department of Finance and Administration on June 1 for approval ahead of the July 1 fiscal year start.