rodd cayton, Author at City Desk ABQ

Pictured is the new library in Albuquerque’s International District on Central Avenue. Roberto E.Rosales/City Desk Abq.

Library advocates want budget increase

By Rodd Cayton Public library advocates Monday went to bat again for their cause, urging the Albuquerque City Council to boost it as the city’s fiscal year 2026 budget takes shape. Mayor Tim Keller’s proposed budget includes about $16.54 million for libraries, which is down about $49,000 from fiscal year 2025. Janet Saiers, who sits […]

City Council approves behavioral health voucher database

By Rodd Cayton Albuquerque City Councilors Monday approved a contract to produce a database aimed at simplifying access to addiction treatment and support services. Contractor Real Time Solutions will be paid $300,000 for creating the database, designed to help administer vouchers for the Providing Addiction Treatment and Healing (PATH) program. City officials say the Albuquerque-based […]

Gateway navigation deal gets green light from City Council

By Rodd Cayton Albuquerque City Councilors voted Monday night to approve a deal for a nonprofit organization that will help women experiencing homelessness make the transition into stable housing. Approval of the professional services agreement with Chicanos Por La Causa was delayed two weeks after councilors sought more information about the organization’s current work. Chicanos […]

Proposed cuts to ABQ libraries panned

By Rodd Cayton Several public library supporters Tuesday evening told Albuquerque City Councilors the system needs more money, not less. The entire council met as the Committee of the Whole, which considers the budget and the capital improvements program proposed by the mayor. In the $1.5 billion budget proposal revealed last month by Mayor Tim […]

Donald Trump speaks, Thursday, Oct 31, 2024 in Albuquerque.

Keller slams Trump administration’s cuts to minority small business aid

by Rodd Cayton Mayor Tim Keller said a Donald Trump administration action terminating federal funding for a local business assistance organization is an attack on New Mexico’s diversity. Keller has been vocal about actions from the Trump administration he said are harming the city. City officials say the New Mexico Minority Business Development Agency (NM […]

Mayor’s proposed budget would increase zoo ticket prices by a dollar

By Rodd Cayton Albuquerque City Councilors last year avoided several proposed fee increases for popular amenities. Mayor Tim Keller’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2026 brings back one notable increase for a second try: He’s floating a $1 hike for admission to the BioPark. Last year, the City Council kept in place a $5-per-ticket increase […]

Albuquerque City Councilors in the Council chambers on Monday February 3, 2025. Photo by Roberto E. Rosales / City Desk Abq

It’s budget time in Albuquerque again

By Rodd Cayton Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller proposed a $1.5 billion city budget for fiscal year 2026 earlier this month, kicking off the annual budget process in the city. Now, the city council will start its process, which includes public participation, to finalize a budget before the end of May. Thursday will be the first […]

An Albuquerque Police Department (APD) cruiser with a license plate reader attached to the roof. Photographed in downtown Albuquerque. Photo by Roberto E. Rosales/The City Desk.

Mayor’s proposed budget calls for 1,100 cops

By Rodd Cayton Mayor Tim Keller’s proposed budget returns to a recurring theme: Albuquerque needs to have more police officers on the streets. The $1.9 billion spending plan goes before a City Council committee Thursday, as the annual budget process starts its final stretch. More money in the proposed budget — almost $287 million — […]

City launches basic income payments program

By Rodd Cayton A new guaranteed basic income (GBI) program in Albuquerque is distributing its first monthly payments. City leaders say the $750 payments will provide financial relief to struggling residents and underscore Albuquerque’s commitment to economic equity and financial empowerment. The first payments went out last week. The money is unrestricted, and participants were […]

The Farolito Senior Community building under construction at 10501 Central Avenue NE Photo by Roberto E. Rosales / City Desk Abq

City council looking at federal housing cuts

By Rodd Cayton Albuquerque City Councilors will soon consider an action plan required to secure federal housing aid. One councilor, however, is concerned about when and whether the city will see that money. District 6 Councilor Nichole Rogers said Trump administration actions have placed a cloud of uncertainty around the city’s funding from the U.S. […]