County Commission picks a hybrid model to run jail health care

This allows up to $6,500,000 in bonds for 61 one-bedroom apartments for seniors, with rents between 30% and 60% of area median income, on the West Side. The county would get a $9,750 yearly fee. No one signed up to speak at the hearing.

For you: Seniors with lower incomes on the West Side.

This allows up to $10,130,000 in taxable industrial revenue bonds for Film Yards, LLC, south of Woodward Road Southeast. The bonds pay for digital production stages and a training center, and the tax break lasts 25 years.

For you: Film workers and job trainees.

This gives a 30-year property tax break for 66 workforce apartments in Northeast Albuquerque, built by Snyder Construction. The county gets an $11,411 yearly fee.

For you: Middle-income renters in Northeast Albuquerque.

The county accepted and budgeted $924,037.03 from the opioid settlement. Commissioners asked for regular reports on how the money is spent.

For you: People and families affected by opioid addiction.

Commissioners moved $534,230.83 to pay the final health care bills at the jail for the budget year that ended in June 2026. They also moved $1,500,000 into this year's jail medical, mental health and addiction treatment budget.

For you: People held at the jail.

The county accepted a $1,050,000 U.S. Department of Justice grant for crime scene equipment, training and staff time. It includes outfitting a crime scene response van.

The lease for the 240-unit affordable complex off 90th Street is being changed as the complex is sold to Guardian Real Estate. The new lease lines up with the affordability rules and adds yearly fees.

For you: Tenants of the Village at Avalon.

This updates the plan for the county's federal housing voucher program to meet a Jan. 1, 2027 federal deadline. Standard deductions rise from 480 to 525 for dependents and from 400 to 575 for elderly and disabled families, which staff said lowers the rent families pay.

For you: Families with housing vouchers.

The contract rebuilds Fourth Street in District 4 with bike lanes, sidewalks and a storm drain system, paid with federal grants and county bonds. Work is planned to start in January 2027 and run 450 days.

For you: Drivers, walkers and cyclists on Fourth Street.

Albuquerque Asphalt will straighten Tablazon Road in District 5. The intersection with New Mexico 333 moves about 400 feet southwest. Work is to start in December and take 200 days, with completion expected in summer 2027.

For you: People who live along Tablazon Road.

Commissioners picked Option 3: county staff with contracted support and some services contracted out. The county manager will ask the state to let the county use $30,000,000 from reserves and lower the reserve requirement to two months, and will seek state money. Staff warned that a credit downgrade could add $580,000 in interest on the $45 million bond. Commissioner Benson opposed using the reserve, and Commissioner Olivas said the county should use the money it has.

For you: People held at the jail and county taxpayers.

Commissioners approved the Oct. 14 minutes, a reappointment to the county's drunk-driving planning group, a $1,042,000 federal grant for sheriff's vehicles, a $500,000 federal grant for sheriff's technology, and the proposed 2027 meeting schedule.

Commissioners thanked the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta's board, staff and volunteers.

Family Friendly New Mexico reported on a county-supported survey. 19 of 23 employers said they hire, or would consider, applicants with past justice system involvement, but only about a quarter have a written policy. The group recommended a hiring toolkit and training for employers.

For you: Job seekers with criminal records and local employers.

Chief Executive Kate Becker, in her last report, said the hospital was $20 million in the red after July and August because costs are rising faster than revenue. She said Medicaid changes on Jan. 1 will add pressure. She also said clinic operations were restored after a cyber event.

For you: Patients of the University of New Mexico Hospital.

This gives a 30-year property tax break for 90 apartments and townhomes for households earning about 80% to 120% of area median income. The county gets a $16,668 yearly fee, compared with $615 in taxes on the empty lot today. Staff called it a 96% exemption. Commissioners questioned the size of the break and whether the county gets an ownership share.

For you: Middle-income renters.

This sets a $1,456,088 budget, paid from rents, so the county can manage the 87-unit complex it bought. It also adds two staff jobs. Staff said rents are not yet tied to income, but more than half the units will go to households under 80% of area median income. Commissioner Benson raised concerns about cost and affordability.

For you: Tenants of Poblana Place.

This is the county's list of requests to the state for next year's session. Amendments put a short list of top priorities first, changed the data center language to support clear standards and guard rails, and removed a prevailing wage request. Staff said the addiction treatment request figure on one slide needs correcting.

For you: All county residents.