Bernalillo County voters in November will get to decide whether to support $40.5 million in capital projects ranging from a wrought iron fence to several new athletic fields.
The Board of Commissioners June 25 approved the list of projects for the general obligation bond issue and the questions that will be placed on the Nov. 5 general election ballot.
District 5 Commissioner Eric Olivas proposed the changes that created the package that will be sent to voters. He said the bond package is well-balanced and residents in all parts of the county will benefit from its passage.
“Did I get everything I wanted?” he asked rhetorically. “Probably not, but there are some really good projects.”
Those projects include the Tijeras Biozone Education Center, which he said is in his commission district, but is an attraction to residents of other areas, who learn about different aspects of the local geography and ecosystem.
General obligation bonds allow the county to raise money for capital projects, such as new public buildings, parks and vehicles or renovations. After selling the bonds, the county can spend the money right away. Bondholders are paid back over time from the county’s annual revenue.
That money is often combined with general fund dollars, legislative appropriations or state or federal grants.
Where the money will go (big picture)
At Tuesday’s meeting, commissioners deviated from a list of projects proposed by staff. Each of the six categories will include a different amount than what was proposed.
- The amount allocated for Public safety facilities, fleet, and county buildings fell from $11.2 million in the proposed package to $8.8 million in the approved version.
- The transportation portion of the package also dropped, from $11.4 million in the staff proposal to $10.7 million in the final version.
- Parks and recreation rose from $10.9 million to $11.7 million.
- The allocation for storm drainage and utilities moved from $4.4 million to $5.1 million.
- Money for libraries increased from $1.5 million to $2.5 million.
- Public housing rose from $1.1 million to $1.7 million.
Words of support
“It’s a well-rounded program that will serve our community well,” Commission Chair Barbara Baca said Friday.
Baca said the package includes education, leisure and recreation projects as well as important infrastructure improvements.
“I’m particularly happy we were able to bring the library bond back up,” she said, adding that the money will help with building improvements and acquisition of new materials.
Olivas said the bump in housing money in the final package is an acknowledgment of homelessness as a major concern for the county.
Where the money will go (specifics)
Major projects on each of the ballot questions include:
- Libraries: $500,000 for the renovation of the South Valley, East Mountains and North Valley branches.
- Public safety facilities, fleet, and county buildings: $1.4 million for a fire and rescue aerial tower.
- Parks and recreation: $1.5 million for Sandia Ranch upgrades.
- Transportation: $2 million for the third phase of the Bridge Boulevard project.
- Storm drainage and utilities: $2 million in matching funds to secure a federal grant for drainage improvements.
- Public housing: $1 million for affordable housing for seniors.