Councilor eyes return of Berry-era homeless labor initiative

An idea born under former Albuquerque Mayor Richard J. Berry that provides day labor jobs for those experiencing homelessness could be making a comeback. “There’s a Better Way” was launched in 2015 and the initiative quickly gained national attention. After a year in operation, the Washington Post called it “a simple idea that works.”  The […]

Posted inBernalillo County, Courts, Justice & Safety, Local Gov.

Tax and Revenue Dept. warns of fraudulent delinquent tax letters

The New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department is warning taxpayers about fraudulent demand letters going out to property owners who are delinquent on their taxes. The letters tell the owners to call a 1-800 number by a certain date or the state will seize their property.  The letters are not from the state Taxation and […]

Posted inLocal Gov.

Commission publishes first-of-its-kind behavioral health ordinance

Bernalillo County residents may soon see a different, more efficient network aimed at helping them meet their behavioral health needs. The Board of Commissioners on Tuesday approved the publication of an ordinance that would create a behavioral health authority that would unify county behavioral health efforts. Vice Chair Eric Olivas said before the meeting that […]

Posted inLocal Gov.

WHAT TO EXPECT: Commissioners try to revisit controversial process to hire county manager

If at first you don’t succeed — try again. Bernalillo County Commissioners Steven Michael Quezada and Walt Benson will try to get a controversial resolution on the agenda for the commission’s Tuesday meeting to allow it to revisit the process to hire a county manager. The two commissioners will need some help from their colleagues […]

City seeks input on food ordinance changes

Albuquerque’s Environmental Health Department is seeking the public’s input as the city prepares to update its food service and retail ordinance. Stakeholders and interested parties have the opportunity to review the draft ordinance and accompanying rules document and provide input. The updated ordinance will replace the city’s existing food safety laws ordinances. The new ordinance […]

Business licenses, permit fees would rise under mayor’s proposed budget

Under Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller’s proposed $1.37 billion budget, the cost of a business license and some building permits would increase. The proposed increases are estimated to generate about $6 million in revenue from the city’s Planning Department, which oversees permitting, development reviews, code enforcement and more.  The proposed fiscal year 2025 budget for the […]

Councilor wants to expand successful gun violence intervention program to county

The City of Albuquerque is hoping to soon partner with the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office to create a Violence Intervention Program for the unincorporated areas of Bernalillo County.  City Councilor Nichole Rogers will introduce legislation at the next meeting to allow the city to apply for a $1,392,698 grant from the New Mexico Department of […]