Albuquerque city councilors will likely have an extensive agenda for their last meeting of the year, but are expected to consider several key bills, including proposals for tax increment financing, a new business licensing system, cooling requirements for rental properties and encampment regulations. 

Downtown TIF

Two proposals to implement tax increment financing (TIF) for Downtown are on the agenda for the City Council’s Monday meeting. If passed by the council, the proposals would allow the Metropolitan Redevelopment Agency (MRA) to implement tax increment financing based on both property and gross receipts taxes. 

Tax increment financing is a method that takes a portion of either property or gross receipts taxes and uses them toward improvement projects in a certain area. 

Read more about the proposed initiatives and why MRA Director Terry Brunner says they will revitalize Downtown here

Business licensing 

A proposal to establish a new business licensing system is also up for a vote.

Mayor Tim Keller’s administration has proposed replacing the city’s business registration system with a licensing system to ensure businesses comply with local and state laws. 

The bill originally received some backlash from councilors because it initially proposed a fee increase for business owners. Read more about how a City Council committee successfully revoked the requirement here

Cooling requirement 

Councilors will consider another proposal that would require landlords to install cooling systems for tenants. Read more about the bill and how it was revived after a City Council committee shot it down here

Encampment measures

Three measures aimed at setting more regulations for encampments and public spaces may also take the floor Monday night. Read more about the bills here

HOW TO PARTICIPATE: 

WHEN: 5 p.m. Dec. 16

WHERE: Vincent E. Griego Chambers in the Albuquerque Government Center, 1 Civic Plaza NW
VIRTUAL: GOV-TV or on the city’s YouTube channel

Elizabeth McCall covers Albuquerque City Hall and local government for nm.news. She is a graduate of NMSU's School of Journalism and previously reported for The Independent News.

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