Bernalillo town councilors voted at the April 22 council meeting to approve a solid waste rate increase and heard just how much the town received from the Legislature.
Adam Meyer, the district manager for Road Runner Waste Services, asked the council to approve a rate increase for Bernalillo.
The council unanimously approved a 4% adjustment to the waste and recycling collection rate which will take effect July 1.
“Like many other businesses and industries, we’ve been impacted by inflationary pressures on the cost of goods and services,” Meyer said.
Residents will see the monthly cost for trash and recycling services increase by 74 cents per month, or $8.88 annually, resulting in a new monthly rate of $18.42.
Park funding
The council also approved an agreement between Bernalillo and the state Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department’s State Parks Division that secures funding from The Land and Water Conservation Fund. The fund, created by Congress with zero taxpayer funding, aims to preserve natural areas and promote recreation.
The fund will help the town convert 2.5 acres of vacant property north of the senior center into a park.
The fund has matched the town’s contribution of $256,000 toward the park, bringing the total to $512,000. The money will be used to construct an asphalt walking path that surrounds the park with a labyrinth, horseshoe and cornhole pits, sheltered benches, a gazebo, lighting, trees and xeriscaping.
Legislative update
Rep. Derrick Lente (D-Rio Arriba, Sandoval and San Juan) also gave a legislative update on the 2024 session. Lente is the chairman of the House Taxation and Revenue Committee and a member of the Legislative Finance Committee.
Bernalillo
Lente highlighted funding coming to Bernalillo.
- Bernalillo is set to receive an additional $1.1 million for the construction of its fire station, supplementing the $1.5 million received last year.
- Bernalillo Public Schools will receive $100,000 for a multicultural building.
- The Coronado Monument Historic Site is slated to receive $275,000 for site improvements.
Sandoval County
He also highlighted funding the county will receive.
- $300,000 for the planning and design of the Sandoval County dispatch center.
- $2.1 million for the construction of the county animal shelter.
- $650,000 has been allocated for a county fire engine, along with $75,000 for a ladder truck.
Official ceremonies
Councilor Phillip Valverde was sworn in by Judge Christopher G. Perez of the 13th Judicial District Court. A recount determined that Valverde garnered 333 votes, compared to James S. Baca’s 324 votes.
Sandoval County Deputy Fire Chief Chris Bagley honored the first responders who were instrumental in saving Brian Moore’s life after he went into cardiac arrest.
“If we get somebody back, it’s because a bunch of links in the chain of survival are met and in this particular case, every single one of those links was met,” Bagley said.
After calling 911, Moore’s wife began administering CPR. When the police officers and firefighters arrived, they took over the CPR and were able to deliver multiple defibrillations which eventually led to the return of his pulse. They safely transported him to the hospital where he made a successful recovery.
“All of these links, (his) wife, the police, the fire department the doctors in the hospital, they all are the reasons why he’s able to be here with us tonight,” Bagley said, standing with Moore and the first responders who helped save his life.
Get involved
The next Town Council meeting is at 6:30 pm on Monday, May 13, at the Bernalillo Town Hall, located at 829 Camino Del Pueblo.