Dear Bernalillo County Residents:
Six important Bernalillo County Government Obligation Bond questions will appear before voters on the 2024 General Election ballot. The questions range from public safety to community services and public works initiatives that total $40.5 million dollars.
Approval of these government obligation bonds will not increase taxes. The county currently maintains an AAA bond rating, which means the county receives lower interest rates when selling bonds to finance voter-approved projects. The influx of $40.5 million dollars into our community will boost our economy to the tune of $11.9 million dollars in economic output and represent $93.8 Million in capital investment in building and equipment. Passage will support 630 direct and indirect construction jobs. In addition, a portion of the GO Bond package will provide matching funds that will result in $47 million in federal and state grants.
Bond question number one is $2.5 million dollars for much-needed library books and other materials. Bonds are the only source of funding the library system uses to replenish its inventory. There are over 500,000 active members in our library system that visit one of the nineteen locations and the on-line platform.
Bond question number two is $8.8 million dollars for public safety, facilities, fleet and county buildings, and includes funding for a variety of projects such as the Explora Museum Brillante Early Learning Center, a new Fire and Rescue Aerial Tower, a BCSO Shooting Range, heavy equipment replacement, and district courthouse expansion.
Bond question number three is $11.7 million dollars to upgrade parks, community centers, pools and Little League facilities throughout the county. Approval will also fund new synthetic turf fields at the Mesa del Sol Regional Recreational Complex.
Bond question number four is $10.7 million dollars for roadway, drainage, safety, and non-motor vehicle pathways. Planned projects include upgrades to Bridge Boulevard, 4th Street, Alameda Drain & Isleta Drain Trails, the Atrisco Vista I-40 Trade Port, and other roads within the county. Approval will also ensure the repair and repaving of roads, new lighting, traffic devices and bike lane improvements throughout the county.
Bond question number five is $5.1 million dollars for flood reduction and storm drainage at the Alameda Drain, and on Isleta Boulevard, Mountain View, the Paseo del Norte and 4th Street Storm Drain Lift Station. It also includes funding for flood studies in North Albuquerque Acres.
Bond question number six is $1.7 dollars to provide upgrades to Seybold Village and El Centro Housing Center for ADA compliant improvements, new windows and sliding glass doors for energy efficiency. It will also include funding for acquisition, design and construction of Senior Affordable Housing.
Please be sure and cast your ballot via Absentee Voting, Early Voting or on Election Day, Tuesday, November 5th, 2024. Make a positive difference, strengthen our community and vote “Yes” for Bernalillo County Bonds.
Sincerely,
Carlos Padilla, Chair
2024 Better Bernalillo County Bond Committee