Albuquerque · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Albuquerque public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Charter Review Task Force creation
Voters will decide two charter questions in November: whether the Albuquerque Community Safety director must be appointed and confirmed as an 'ACS Chief,' and an amendment to Article V, Section 4 of the charter.
South Campus TIDD bond issuance
A resolution would authorize up to $160,000 in short-term tax increment revenue bonds to finance public infrastructure in the South Campus TIDD, paid back with gross receipts tax increment generated in the district.
Indicators Progress Commission update
A resolution would update the name and clarify the duties of the Indicators Progress Commission, which tracks community progress measures.
Council Rules of Procedure amendment
With 23 speakers signed up, the president limited comments to one minute; a motion to restore two minutes failed, sparking debate over council rules and access to the only public forum before the council.
Capital Implementation Program amendment
Councilor Grout, by request, introduced an amendment to supplement current grant appropriations and approve new capital projects citywide.
Federal grant exposure under OMB changes
Councilor Telles pressed DFAS on $23-26.7 million in federal awards at risk from December 11 OMB changes, but was told counsel must review before answers. She criticized learning of the city's litigation involvement only the week before.
2027 Capital and Policy Priorities
The administration laid out its 2027 priority capital projects and policy requests, which guide where infrastructure and service dollars go next year.
Solid waste dump fee increase
A resident warned the new $12 non-resident dump fee and reduced Montessa Park hours will drive illegal dumping; staff clarified any ID or utility bill proves residency.
Transit Department Positions and Planning Vehicles
A Fiscal Year 2027 budget adjustment revises funding for Transit Department positions and vehicles for the Planning Department. It was amended before moving to the full council.
IPRA Compliance Report
The city got roughly 20,000 public records requests last year, driven by out-of-state and out-of-country YouTube creators using automated tools, and the clerk's office sees no end in sight absent changes to state law.
FY2027 Internal Audit Plan
The committee endorsed the FY2027 audit plan that guides which city programs get scrutinized for waste and efficiency next fiscal year.
Appointment of Joshua D. Boone as City Attorney
The Mayor has tapped Joshua D. Boone to be the City's next top lawyer. The Council will consider the appointment on September 9.
Employee 'red circling' pay dispute
104 non-bargaining city employees didn't get the 2% raise because their pay was already above range maximums; they'll get a lump-sum equivalent, but questions remain about how it affects retirement and overtime calculations.
Veto of charter amendment ballot proposition (R-26-30)
The Mayor vetoed a resolution that would have put a question on the ballot amending Article V, Section 4 of the City Charter. The Council must take immediate action on the veto, so this fight is heading to the September 9 meeting.
Artificial Intelligence regulation
Three bills would set city rules for AI: a new AI ordinance, a replacement advisory board for emerging technology, and a requirement that all city purchases comply with AI policies. The committee took no position on any of them, leaving the debate to the full Council.
Open Space Division facing budget cuts
Multiple Open Space Advisory Board members urged the council to protect open space staffing in the FY27 budget, noting the proposed 3% parks cut and 12 positions eliminated could mean shorter hours, taller weeds, and degraded trails across 30,000+ acres.
Recurring audit findings and fiscal controls
The first-quarter report projects about $18.8 million in overspending, led by Fire, APD, and DMD. Councilors pressed on overtime, vacancies, and why the report was late (federal shutdown, staff turnover).
$89.6 million GO bond sale — and zero for affordable housing this cycle
The council authorized the first of two planned bond sales from the 2025 voter-approved packages, funding streets, parks, storm sewers and public safety. Councilor Rogers sharply questioned why the $10.1 million affordable housing and $2.5 million MRA allocations were pushed to the next cycle.
Ranked choice voting revival fails
The council rejected a charter change that would have replaced separate runoff elections with ranked-choice voting, after the county clerk said runoffs cost up to $1.8 million and supporters said RCV saves money and broadens consensus. Critics said it's confusing and costly. It failed 6-3.
Indirect overhead (IDOH) charges on capital projects
Councilors locked horns with the administration over the surprise 12% indirect overhead charge that drained their district bond accounts. The new law sets a calculated rate, requires transparency and an annual audit, and bans extra administrative fees on state capital outlay and GO bond projects.
Transportation Infrastructure Tax reporting gap
Councilor Grout flagged that the quarterly transportation tax report is missing lifetime collection data and shows only $25.9 million collected against a $92.8 million budget. The administration promised a follow-up.
Mayor Keller v. Albuquerque City Council litigation
The council met behind closed doors to get legal advice on an ongoing lawsuit between Mayor Tim Keller and the City Council. The details are confidential, but the case is an active dispute between the city's executive and legislative branches.
Juniper Flats Housing Bonds Postponed
The $47 million gross receipts tax bond package — $18 million for the Juniper Flats housing development and $29 million to refund 2015A bonds — was pushed to February 18.
Council discretionary fund increase
A proposal to raise each councilor's $20,000 constituent fund to $50,000 failed after critics called it unaffordable amid competing priorities.
Budget process ordinance veto
The council sustained Mayor Keller's veto of the budget transparency ordinance 1-8, with the administration preferring a conference committee and the ICC as a fallback for separation-of-powers disputes.