Albuquerque City Councilors have dropped proposed fee increases from Mayor Tim Keller’s draft budget for fiscal year 2024-2025.
At the May 16 Committee of the Whole meeting, members voted to make a few changes to Keller’s $1.4 billion budget.
Among the amendments was allocating an additional $250,000 for the ABQ BioPark, eliminating the need for fee increases. Keller had proposed raising admission to the zoo, aquarium and botanic garden complex by $ 1 or $2 for New Mexico adults and children and $5 for out-of-state visitors.
Councilors also cut out proposed hikes in greens fees at city-owned golf courses and higher fees at senior centers and other city attractions.
“Even though New Mexico continues to see historic lows in unemployment numbers, higher than anticipated inflation continues to persist, while potential interest rate cuts seem further away,” the council wrote in a letter sent to Keller after the meeting. “We therefore cannot ask our residents to pay for higher fees at our senior centers or cultural landmarks.”
Also included is a doubling of technology money for the libraries to $400,000, along with a new food inspector in the Environmental Health Department. $238,000 more was added for senior centers and $250,000 for the Animal Welfare Department.
Cost Of Living Adjustments
Councilors cited unexpected hikes in higher interest rates and included a cost-of-living adjustment for the city’s non-unionized employees. In the amended budget, there is a 5% raise for employees making less than $50,000 a year, and hikes of 4% for those making between $50,000 and $75,000b 3% for those who make more than $75,000 and 2% for those making more than $100,000.
Councilors said the information shared at the May 3 University of New Mexico Bureau of Business and Economic Research meeting projections showed better conditions than expected in January. The bureau’s increased confidence in revenue projections means there will be another $3.8 million available for the city budget, according to city documents.
The council’s substitute budget includes general fund spending of $851 million, an increase of 0.6% from the mayor’s proposed budget. It leaves the general fund with an unreserved fund balance of $1.1 million.
Councilor Klarissa Peña, who chairs the Committee of the Whole, said the budget is solid and fiscally responsible.
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