Newly elected Bernalillo County Commission Chair Eric Olivas says his priorities will largely lie in what the entire county is looking at.
Olivas, elected in 2022, served as vice chair last year. He represents District 5, which includes Uptown Albuquerque and the East Mountains.
“The commission has been very clear with our legislative priorities,” he told City Desk ABQ. “Housing, public safety and behavioral health. We really have to double down and carry these to the finish line.”
Within his own district, Olivas said he wants to make sure “both sides of the mountain” are fairly represented.
His list of projects he’s focused on bears that out, including items such as the Hahn Arroyo Linear Park in Albuquerque and the Los Vecinos Community Center in Tijeras.
Olivas noted Los Vecinos has been around for decades.
“It’s so old and dilapidated,” he said. “The residents there, especially the kids, deserve a world-class facility.”
Olivas said one challenge is advocating for road projects in the East Mountains when roads elsewhere in the county carry much higher numbers of vehicles.
“A lot of the rural roads might have 10 or 20 cars a day,” he said. “But to the people who live there, it’s a lifeline. “
In addition to leading board meetings, the chair is responsible for making appointments to joint county and city committees, which include the Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority and the Hispano Chamber of Commerce.
Commissioner Barbara Baca, who was chair for the past two years, nominated Olivas at the start of Tuesday’s meeting.
Commissioner Walt Benson nominated the board’s newest member, Frank Baca, who respectfully declined to seek the position, saying he felt it premature.
Olivas said he thought his experience as vice chair helped prepare him to head the commission.
“I was born and raised and schooled in Bernalillo County,” he said. “I’m honored to represent the commission and the citizens of the county.”
Adriann Barboa was elected vice chair. Both expressed appreciation for Baca’s leadership.
“Over the last two years, we’ve been through a lot,” Olivas said. ”We’ve had a lot of issues and important discussions and challenges that this commission has confronted under your leadership. And I think that we are all better off for having you and your wisdom and your expertise and your steady hand here to guide us.”