City Council Amends and Approves City’s FY27 Budget - Workforce Investment, Fiscal Stability, and Long-Term Sustainability Remain Focus

Albuquerque, NM - Today, the Albuquerque City Council voted to approve the City’s Fiscal Year 2027 budget through the passage of R-26-17, which appropriates $1.5 billion for operating the City Of Albuquerque for Fiscal Year 2027, and R-26-28, which sets the One Year Objectives for the City of Albuquerque for Fiscal Year 2027. 

District 9 City Councilor Renée Grout and Chair of the City Council’s Committee of the Whole  (COW) emphasized the significance of both resolutions. "We’ve Prioritized public safety, including increasing funds to Animal Welfare and Code Enforcement Departments, protected the City's lowest paid employees by bringing their compensation up to the 25^th percentile based on the Evergreen study, and provides a 1% across the board increase for a total of 3% for our front-line workers. The allocation of funds to these key departments, alongside the adoption of our FY 2027 objectives, aligns our budgetary priorities and our strategic goals for the City," COW Chair Renée Grout said. 

The substitute also restores or increases funding in several operational areas, including Code Enforcement staffing, Animal Welfare field services, Open Space staffing, transit operators and mechanics, Senior Affairs staffing support at the Conway Wood Multigenerational Center, park maintenance funding, cybersecurity investments, and additional support for the Office of Inspector General. The approved budget includes recurring funding for BioPark Zoo animal food, and long-needed Library IT operational support. It includes operational support for Transit Department services. 

“The passage of the City’s largest-ever budget and the adoption of the City’s one-year objectives move our City forward,” Councilor Grout said. “I want to personally thank my fellow Councilors and Council Services Department staff, who remain committed to responsible governance and transparency throughout the process. We will continue this work in making strategic investments to benefit the entire community.” 

Setting the Course for FY 2027 

The resolution (R-26-28) sets the one-year objectives for the City of Albuquerque and is mandated by the City Charter and Budget Ordinance, requiring the Council to annually review and adopt the objectives, which are aligned with the City's broader five-year goals.

“Councilors can now effectively monitor progress throughout the fiscal year," explained Councilor Grout. "They ensure that our budgetary allocations are directly tied to achieving tangible outcomes for our City and our neighbors." 

Charting the Course: R-26-28 and One-Year Objectives

In addition to the financial appropriations, the City Council addressed Resolution R-26-28, which establishes the City’s one-year objectives. Mandated by the City Charter, these objectives ensure that taxpayer dollars are tied to tangible outcomes across eight primary five-year goals:

• Human and Family Development
• Public Safety
• Public Infrastructure
• Sustainable Community Development
• Environmental Protection
• Economic Vitality
• Community and Cultural Engagement
• Governmental Excellence and Effectiveness

"These objectives provide clear direction for the Administration and allow the City Council to effectively monitor progress throughout the fiscal year," explained City Councilor Grout. "They ensure that our budgetary allocations are directly tied to achieving tangible outcomes for our City and our neighbors."

City Council staff will actively monitor and report on the progress of these objectives throughout FY27. Furthermore, the resolution requires the Administration to provide a report on the accomplishments and challenges related to the FY 2026 objectives within 90 days, reinforcing the City Council's commitment to accountability and continuous improvement.

During the budget review process, Councilors identified concerns regarding the presentation and treatment of projected available fund balance amounts within the General Fund. The Committee Substitute preserves fiscal flexibility through reserve mechanisms tied to year-end expenditure performance and audited financial results.

In addition, the amended budget maintains the Council’s focus on improving permitting and development processes, supporting essential City services, and maintaining long-term infrastructure investment priorities.

“The Council’s goal was to produce a more structurally sustainable budget that balances workforce needs, operational realities, and fiscal reserves in an increasingly constrained revenue environment,” Councilor Grout said. “This is a working budget that reflects extensive review, significant discussion, and the Council’s responsibility to ensure long-term financial stability for the City.”