Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller’s administration released a $1.4 billion proposed budget for fiscal year 2025 on Tuesday. The 2.3% increase over last fiscal year focuses on big picture categories like public safety, housing, homelessness, behavioral health, jobs, the economy and more.
The city said in a news release that the budget takes into consideration post-pandemic recovery, inflationary pressures, the phasing-out of food and medical hold harmless payments and future revenue projections.
“We are focused on continuing to invest in public safety, and fully supporting our frontline workers and the programs and services they provide to help address our city’s challenges,” Keller said in a statement. “We’re implementing creative solutions to address homelessness and housing insecurity, and strengthening our neighborhoods to make our city better for all of our families.”
The city said a $5 million funding balance and 12% in reserves is similar to fiscal year 2024 and “ensures flexibility as we head into a tight economic year.”
“The budget includes commitments to rank and file wage increases based on the city’s current collective bargaining agreements, as well as the millions in recurring funding added in the prior fiscal year to address pay equity,” the release said.
It said adjustments to planning, permitting and licensing fees are the first in more than 15 years and will allow for needed staffing.
“Golf course green fees, pool fees, and BioPark fee adjustments will help cover the inflation of expenses for maintaining these quality of life amenities,” the release said.
| Key priorities in the mayor’s proposed budget for FY 2025 | The amount allocated for FY 2024 |
| Funding for positions across APD, including 1,000 officers, an increase in Police Service Aids and civilian staff to support sworn staff and increase capacity | 1,040 full-time, sworn positions |
| Support for the Office of the Superintendent and the Independent Monitoring Team | $21,679,000 for the Office of the Superintendent, $800,000 for continued U.S. Department of Justice compliance efforts, funding to pay the Independent Monitoring Team, and $1.7 million for External Force Investigation Team |
| Funding for ACS to continue to hire more field responders | $11,697,00 for personnel |
| Funding to support wage increases for AFR | $105,062,000 for personnel |
| Funding for the Automated Speed Enforcement program | Fully funded |
| Key priorities in the mayor’s proposed budget for FY 2025 | The amount allocated for FY 2024 |
| $1.25 million investment in the Job Training Albuquerque program | $500,000 |
| Full funding for the Small Business Office | The office is within the Economic Development Department which had a $4.6 million budget |
| Enhanced public safety technology and related staffing for our public transit system. | The transit department had a $58.7 million budget this year. |
| $1 million for the Local Economic Development Act (LEDA) fund | $1 million |
| Full funding for the Head Start program and the highly successful Youth Connect programs | Fully funded |
| Continued investments in sustainability efforts to help the City achieve goals set out in the Climate Action Plan and reduce utility costs | Continued sustainability efforts toward achieving the goals set out in the American Climate Cities Challenge and Climate Action Plan |
| Funding for nuisance abatement efforts so that Code Enforcement and the ADAPT program | Fully funded |
| Duke City Ambassador program | Fully funded |
| Key priorities in the mayor’s proposed budget for FY 2025 | The amount allocated for FY 2024 |
| $8 million for supportive housing and voucher programs | $14 million |
| $1.5 million for the medical respite facility at the Gateway Center | $1.5 million |
| $1.5 million for the Westside Emergency Housing Center | $1.2 million |
| $900,000 to fund an assisted outpatient treatment program | $736,000 |
| $730,000 in recurring funds to operate a medical sobering center at the Gateway Center | $730,000 |
| $500,000 to fund Albuquerque Street Connect | $500,000 |
| $100,000 for emergency housing vouchers for victims of domestic violence | $100,000 |
| $100,000 to develop a homelessness and behavioral health technology system | $500,000 |