Voters Approve Albuquerque Charter Amendments Elevating Albuquerque Community Safety, Funding Code Enforcement, and Removing Restrictions to Projects

Albuquerque, NM - M — Albuquerque voters have approved pivotal proposals on the 2026 General Election ballot:  City Charter amendment P-26-1  and City Charter amendment P-25-8,  along with the City’s Gross Revenue Tax allocation R-26-29. The passage of these amendments ushers in a new era of transparency, accountability, and efficiency, for City government in the areas of public safety and building project management.

Elevating Albuquerque Safety (ACS): P-26-1

P-26-1 elevates the leadership and parity for the Albuquerque Community Safety (ACS) Department. Sponsored by City Councilors Joaquín Baca and Nichole Rogers, the amendment officially designates the head of the department as the “ACS Chief” and requires the position to undergo the same rigorous appointment and confirmation process as the City’s Police and Fire Chiefs.

The successful passage of this amendment formally recognizes ACS as a co-equal branch of Albuquerque’s coordinated emergency response system and guaranteeing the department eight percent of the City’s Gross Revenue Tax (GRT) Public Safety Funding outlined in the City Council resolution R-26-29, also cosponsored by Councilor Baca and Councilor Rogers.

Public Safety Gross Receipts Tax Allocation Resolution Passes: R-26-29

Prior to R-26-29, Code Enforcement Divison and ACS were excluded from receiving GRT revenue public safety allocations. In June, the City Council enacted the Proposition R-26-29, which was passed by Albuquerque voters in the November 2026 general election. The resolution updates how the City’s existing 0.25% Public Safety Gross Receipts Tax (GRT) is allocated, adding Code Enforcement and ACS allocations without raising the overall tax rate. The revenues will be strictly reapportioned across six designated public safety and community services:

• 38% to the Fire department
• 35% to Police
• 8% to Albuquerque Community Safety
• 8% to Health, Housing and Homelessness
• 6% for Prisoner Transport
• 5% to Code Enforcement

“We are incredibly grateful to the voters of Albuquerque for recognizing the critical role that the Albuquerque Community Safety department plays in our city,” said District 2 City Councilor Joaquín Baca. “ACS handles sensitive, frontline responses to behavioral health crises, homelessness, and community safety calls. By elevating the director to a Chief-level position requiring Council confirmation, we are ensuring that this vital department operates with the highest levels of transparency and that its leadership is directly accountable to the public.”

Prior to this amendment, the Director of ACS managed substantial public resources, established operational policies, and oversaw frontline personnel without the formalized oversight applied to the Albuquerque Police Department (APD) and Albuquerque Fire Rescue (AFR).

“Parity in funding our public safety efforts is essential,” added District 6 City Councilor Nichole Rogers. “For four years now, ACS has responded to some of our city’s most complex and challenging calls, freeing up police and fire services. This amendment not only strengthens public trust, but it also guarantees that department now qualifies for public safety funding. The voters have made it clear that they value our City’s comprehensive approach to community safety.”

With the voters’ approval, Article V, Section 4 of the City Charter will be amended to expressly require the Mayor to appoint the ACS Chief with the advice and consent of the City Council. Furthermore, the ACS Chief will now be required to enter into a formalized employment agreement that specifies terms, conditions, and provisions for early termination, expiring at the end of the current Mayor’s term.

Repealing Restrictions on Performing Arts Centers: P-25-8

In addition to public safety reforms, voters also approved P-25-8, which repeals Article XI, Section 7 of the City Charter. Previously, this section prohibited the City from appropriating funds for a performing arts center costing more than $10 million without a direct public vote in a municipal election—a requirement that often delayed or deterred major cultural investments.

“By repealing this mandate, the City Council and administration now have the flexibility to pursue, fund, and develop major performing arts venues through the standard municipal budgeting and legislative process,” said Councilor Baca. “This empowers Albuquerque to be more competitive in attracting major cultural and economic development projects.”

“Removing this red tape is a massive win for the arts and economic development in Albuquerque,” noted Councilor Rogers. “We now have the flexibility to make timely, visionary investments in our cultural infrastructure without being hindered by an outdated charter provision. This vote shows that Albuquerque is ready to grow and support a thriving arts community.”

Together, the passage of these two amendments marks a historic step forward in solidifying Albuquerque’s approach to both community well-being and cultural vibrancy - solidifying Albuquerque’s innovative, multi-tiered approach to emergency response and behavioral health intervention.