City of Albuquerque Committee of the Whole FY24 Budget Hearing - May 4, 2023

The Committee of the Whole held its second public hearing on the Fiscal Year 2024 operating budget on May 4, 2023, at 5:00 PM in the Vincent E. Griego Chambers. The meeting focused on the city's physical goals budget, including departments such as Animal Welfare, Aviation, Environmental Health, Municipal Development, Planning, Solid Waste, Transit, and others. Nine councilors were present. Public comments were heard, and department directors presented their proposed budgets. The meeting concluded with the postponement of two budget-related resolutions to May 11, 2023.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Danielle Casey, representing the Albuquerque Regional Economic Alliance, thanked the city for support and discussed the organization's regional strategic plan, including urban core quality of life, downtown redevelopment, and trade missions. She expressed hope for continued city support at a level commensurate with the organization's services.
• Rachel Biggs, from Albuquerque Health Care for the Homeless, requested full funding of the transit department budget and $3 million for the Zero Fares program, citing benefits for transit-dependent residents, seniors, families, essential workers, and people with disabilities.
• Susan Gorman urged the committee to keep the Zero Fares program and fully fund the transit department to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by getting more people on buses.
• Louis Colonga, a District 6 constituent, spoke in support of Zero Fares, sharing positive impacts on access to opportunity and personal safety.

Discussion Items

• Office of Internal Audit (Interim Auditor Marissa Vargas): Proposed FY24 general fund budget of $967,000 with 8 positions. Discussion included delays in hiring an auditor, salary comparability, and need for continuing education funding ($12,000 for IT/cybersecurity training). Councilors expressed concern about the vacancy and the process for filling the position.
• Office of Inspector General (Inspector General Melissa Santiestevan): Proposed FY24 budget of $639,000 with 4 positions. Discussion focused on legal services tracking, salary levels, and the number of tips received via 311 (8 in FY24 to date vs. 89 in a previous period). Councilor Bassan requested a comparison of tasks and accomplishments for IG, IA, and OEI directors.
• Department of Municipal Development (Director Patrick Montoya): Proposed FY24 general fund budget of $38.4 million with 226 positions. Topics included roadway crack sealing and repaving, the Neighborhood Traffic Management Program (NTMP) timeline (now 6-9 months), solar-powered street lights, the Vision Zero program, and construction cost concerns. Councilor Benton raised issues about city architect roles and project delivery methods. Councilor Lewis questioned crack sealing and weed control on the west side.
• Solid Waste Department (Director Matthew Whelan): Discussion included pilot program for shopping cart collection (over 2,500 carts collected, 98% reusable), median maintenance responsibilities, and CNG vehicle costs ($460,000 per truck vs. $380,000 for diesel) with infrastructure challenges. Councilor Peña asked about Friedman Recycling contract costs (paid $1.9 million through December) and current recycling program sustainability.
• Animal Welfare Department (Director Carolyn Ortega): Proposed FY24 general fund budget of $15.3 million with 158 positions. Highlights included expansion of spay/neuter clinic to four days a week (120-150 surgeries per week), a spay/neuter blitz in July with high-volume veterinarians, increased cruelty investigations (one veterinarian trained in forensic medicine), and marketing efforts. Councilor Sanchez suggested adopting animals during council meetings.
• Environmental Health Department (Director Angel Martinez Jr.): Proposed FY24 general fund budget of $5.3 million with 40 positions. Discussion included air quality board funding, cannabis program positions (field operations officer for inspections), grants not applied for (Community Energy Block Grant, SEED grant), and difficulty filling scientist positions.
• Planning Department (Director Alan Varela): Proposed FY24 general fund budget of $20.9 million with 193 positions. Discussed the new "Extinction Team" pilot project (funded through July 1, 2025) to target errant properties, the Aegis GIS program transfer back to planning, and Plaza del Sol remodel expenses ($1.7 million in salary savings used for upgrades). Councilor Peña requested a plan for the extinction team.
• Transit Department (Director Wesley Keener): Proposed FY24 operating budget of $58.2 million with 547 positions, including a $9.5 million general fund subsidy increase ($3 million non-recurring for Zero Fares extension). Topics included driver retention (175 vacancies), safety concerns, cleanliness (detailing every 45 days, nightly cleaning), drug use on buses, restroom availability for drivers, bus stop maintenance staffing (11 positions, 8 currently staffed), and security plans. Councilor Lewis expressed concern about service quality. Councilor Sanchez asked about fentanyl exposure protocols. Councilor Grout questioned bus cleanliness. Councilor Fiebelkorn suggested removing bus wraps for security.
• Legal Department (City Attorney Lauren Keefe): Proposed FY24 general fund budget of $8.4 million with 66 positions, including transfer of Office of Equity and Inclusion to DFAS. Discussion focused on provision of outside counsel for departments, and breakdown of Office of Civil Rights budget.
• Human Resources Department (Director Romero): Proposed FY24 general fund budget of $4.2 million with 26 positions. Discussed recruitment needs, hiring timeline (57 days to hire), insurance solicitation concerns, and potential future daycare benefits for employees.
• Finance and Administrative Services (Director Steph Yara): Proposed FY24 general fund budget of $15.1 million with 100 positions. Topics included local purchasing efforts (61.5% local spend in 2022), Office of Equity and Inclusion's role in CIP scoring with racial equity criteria, and risk management fund allocation.
• Aviation Department (Director Richard McCurley): Proposed FY24 operating budget of $70.5 million with 299 positions, including a $1.6 million increase in parking fees. Discussion covered sustainability efforts (electric buses, carbon accreditation, solar power), hydrogen hub plans, parking garage capital needs, and concession RFP packages (80% of food and beverage units set for local businesses). Councilor Peña and Councilor Sanchez emphasized local business participation.

Key Outcomes

• Both agenda items, R-23-122 (Establishing One-Year Objectives for FY2024) and R-23-123 (Appropriating Funds for Operating the Government for FY2024), were postponed to May 11, 2023, by a vote of 6-0 with 3 excused (Councillors Benton, Davis, Jones). The motion carried.
• The committee will hold a third meeting on May 11 to consider amendments or a committee substitute. No live public comment will be taken at that meeting, but written comments will be accepted.
• The final budget, as amended, will be sent to the May 15 City Council meeting for adoption, where live and written public comments will be accepted.
• Several councilors requested follow-up information from departments, including salary comparisons, legal services hours, and specific program data.