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.
Capital Implementation Program amendment
Councilor Grout, by request, introduced an amendment to supplement current grant appropriations and approve new capital projects citywide.
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.
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.
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.
$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.
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.
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.
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.