Have some opinions on how the city should budget its money? The public is invited to share its thoughts with Albuquerque city councilors at two upcoming meetings — one this Thursday and another next Thursday.
The Committee of the Whole will meet May 2 and May 9 to hear resident input on the mayor’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2025.
At the meetings, all nine council members act as a committee to consider the budget and the capital improvement program. The committee also meets with the mayor, and the mayor’s representatives, to review and make recommendations about the priority, ranking and implementation of policy priorities in the budget.
HOW TO PARTICIPATE
WHEN: 5 p.m. May 2
WHERE: Vincent E. Griego Chambers at Albuquerque City Hall, located at 1 Civic Plaza NW
VIRTUAL: Click here for the agenda and instructions on participating in person or through Zoom.
These meetings are the only scheduled meetings where the public will have an opportunity to weigh in on the budget process.
Check it Out
Tomorrow’s meeting will target what the city considers to be social goals. These include funding for community safety, police, civilian police oversight, arts and culture, library services, family and community services, fire and rescue, senior services and more.
For instance, the mayor’s proposed budget for social goals is asking for about:
- $283 million for police services.
- $123 million for fire and rescue.
- $2.8 million for the civilian police oversight agency.
- $63 million for housing initiatives.
- $46 million for youth services.
Next Time
The May 9 meeting will focus on physical goals. These are appropriations to city departments such as animal welfare, transit, environmental health, finance and administration, human services, legal, planning and other departments.
Use our news! Now that you’ve caught up on the issue, take a moment to provide comment to your elected leaders to tell them what you think.
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Tell your city councilors what you think about this issue.
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Be personal and specific. If this story or issue impacts you directly, tell them how. “This proposal would cost my family an extra $100 a month” is better feedback than “I don’t like this.”
Be professional and polite. Name calling and fighting words may get attention, but not the type you want.
And be sure to tell them you read about this issue in City Desk!
Use this form to submit your comments to Albuquerque’s city councilors.