FY 27 City Operating Budget and Spending Priorities

Asked for full funding of the animal welfare department with no cuts and more animal control officers to properly enforce city ordinances.

Highlighted high stray dog intake numbers at shelters and urged the council to fund the enforcement of the heart ordinance.

Pointed out budget flaws, including cuts to the inspector general, transit, and animal welfare, while questioning prioritization of police spending.

Expressed support for maintaining ongoing funding for Fusion to support community development through the arts and downtown cultural projects.

Opposed proposed cuts to the animal welfare department and requested full funding for the Street Cat Hub spay-neuter program.

Highlighted Fusion's 25-year history of community and artistic contributions and asked the council to consider their tenure in financial decisions.

Critiqued major spending increases for the police department while transit and other essential services face cuts.

Urged the council not to cut funding to the Animal Welfare Department, emphasizing the importance of sheltering systems working together.

Highlighted the issue of designating Biopark funds for animal diets and medications as non-recurring for the third straight year.

Asked the council not to cut animal funding, noting that spay-neuter programs are vital for public health, safety, and responsible management.

Expressed concern over proposed cuts to open space park attendants and maintenance staff during peak visiting season.

Asked the council to reject proposed cuts of 14 staff positions in the Animal Welfare Department.

Spoke in favor of preserving open space staff and park attendants, emphasizing their critical role in protecting natural areas.

Highlighted severe staffing shortages and overtime strain among 911 dispatchers and APD call takers, warning against cutting dispatcher positions.

Representing union workers, argued that city employees are being asked to fund the city's budget through unfulfilled raises and staffing cuts.

Cautioned against eliminating positions to fund mayoral priorities instead of fulfilling employee compensation studies.

Stated that animal welfare services protect public health and safety, and urged no cuts to the department.

Advocated for making the public library system IT budget a recurring $500,000 item to replace aging public access computers.

Stated that libraries are essential to city welfare and requested recurring IT funding and stabilized staffing in the library budget.

Encouraged the council to nourish Albuquerque's cultural aspects, including animal welfare, libraries, recreation, transit, and open space, rather than stripping funding.

Highlighted staffing cuts at the Biopark and requested support to prevent impacts on fundraising and events like weddings.

Criticized the mayor's budget for being too heavy on police and urged better social services rather than criminalizing poverty.

Expressed personal support for continued funding for arts and culture, specifically citing Fusion's economic and community impact.

Stated that libraries, pools, parks, and buses are essential quality-of-life ingredients and urged prioritizing community benefits over policing.

Expressed concern over open space cuts, river water levels, and the criminalization of unhoused people.

Warned that Animal Welfare needs more resources, not fewer, to avoid euthanasia and ensure proper care for dogs.

Spoke in support of city support funding for Fusion as an outstanding arts organization contributing to the community.

Expressed strong concerns about cutting open space staffing on the West Side and protecting local natural landmarks.

Called for a people's budget that prioritizes transit, animal welfare, libraries, and city workers over increased police spending.