Local Government Archives

Pictured is the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Detention Center, where Dr. Rebecca Fastle previously managed medical operations before stepping into her new countywide healthcare role. Photo by Roberto E. Rosales/City Desk Abq

Bernalillo County is changing MDC health care. What will it cost?

By Jesse Jones, The Paper. — Health care at the Metropolitan Detention Center faces a major shake-up in 2027 as Bernalillo County prepares to take over the system, with nearly $40 million in startup costs and a funding request that still needs state approval. At its Oct. 27 meeting, the Bernalillo County Board of County […]

BernCo commissioners set to write a new prescription for jail health care

By Kevin Hendricks, The Paper. — Everyone booked into the Metropolitan Detention Center gets a health screening. That was more than 26,000 people last fiscal year, and many of them arrived in withdrawal or mental health crisis. On Tuesday, Bernalillo County commissioners will decide who provides that care once UNM Hospital’s contract ends June 30, […]

Albuquerque City Councilor Nichole Rogers speaks at a District 6 participatory budgeting meeting where residents helped shape proposals for neighborhood improvements. Courtesy of Nichole Rogers.

District 6 voted on $1.7 million in improvements. Three are guaranteed, but Councilor Rogers wants more.

By Jesse Jones, The Paper. — District 6 residents have chosen how Albuquerque should spend $1.7 million on neighborhood improvements. With 11 projects on the ballot and funding set aside for the top three, Councilor Nichole Rogers hopes to fund more of the community’s ideas. District 6 residents cast 1,866 votes in the second annual […]

Want to challenge a development project in your neighborhood? It just got more expensive

By Jesse Jones, The Paper. — Burqueños looking to challenge neighborhood development will face steeper costs after the Albuquerque City Council narrowly approved higher fees to appeal project decisions. The Council voted 5-4 at its Monday night meeting to approve Ordinance O-26-60, sponsored by Councilor Dan Lewis, which creates a new fee schedule for development […]

Shelter beds are seen inside Gateway West in Albuquerque. The city allocated $2 million in opioid settlement funds to launch a treatment navigation and assessment program through the Gateway system. Photo by Roberto E. Rosales/City Desk ABQ.

Albuquerque approves millions in opioid settlement funds: Here’s where the money is going

By Jesse Jones, The Paper. — For Duke City residents facing addiction and students struggling with mental health, getting connected to treatment can be a critical step toward recovery. Newly approved city funding will expand access to addiction treatment navigation, sobering beds and school counseling for Albuquerque residents and students. The Albuquerque City Council unanimously […]

MDC health care transition could cost millions. Commissioners weigh next steps

By Jesse Jones, The Paper. — Thousands of people booked into the Metropolitan Detention Center each year depend on medical care and addiction treatment behind bars. Bernalillo County plans to take over those services in 2027 when its current contract ends next summer. Commissioners will consider using $30 million in county reserves to help fund […]

The seal of the Albuquerque City Council

Albuquerque City Council picks up where last meeting left off

By Jesse Jones, The Paper. — Tonight’s Albuquerque City Council meeting will feel like a continuation of the last one, with councilors revisiting a controversial zoning appeal fee proposal and other issues they left unresolved at the Oct. 5 meeting. Councilors postponed the zoning proposal and ran out of time to consider another item on […]

Several dozen homeless folks currently camp under interstate I-40 and first street. Many express frustration of authorities coming by everyday and kicking them out but decide to return an hour later. This has been their daily routine for months now. Pictured is a fentanyl pill about to be consumed. Photo by Roberto E. Rosales / City Desk Abq

Bernalillo County approves emergency powers to fight fentanyl crisis

By Jesse Jones, The Paper, — Bernalillo County is moving to cut red tape so it can get emergency medical care to the streets faster, overhaul jail detox programs and crack down on fentanyl trafficking. Commissioners approved an emergency declaration Wednesday that grants emergency authority to the county manager and asks the state for additional […]

Community members fill the Bernalillo County Commission chambers during an Oct. 14 hearing on an appeal challenging approval of the proposed Albuquerque Islamic Center on Second Street NW. Commissioners voted 4-1 to deny the appeal and uphold the project's conditional-use approval. Courtesy of the Albuquerque Islamic Center.

North Valley mosque appeal fails; traffic questions remain

By Jesse Jones, The Paper. — North Valley residents who challenged plans for a proposed mosque lost their appeal Wednesday evening when Bernalillo County commissioners denied the appeal and upheld conditional-use approval for the Albuquerque Islamic Center on Second Street. Residents raised concerns about traffic and the area’s rural character. During its Oct. 14 zoning […]

Bernalillo County plans expanded fentanyl response as commissioners weigh emergency declaration

By Jesse Jones, The Paper. — About six people a week died from opioid-related causes in Bernalillo County last year. Now, county commissioners are considering an emergency declaration to help fund a more robust response, including expanded street medicine and addiction treatment, real-time overdose tracking and a new sheriff’s operation targeting drug traffickers. Bernalillo County […]