Timothy M. Keller, Mayor
City of Albuquerque
Office of the Mayor/ chief administrative office
Interoffice Memorandum
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to: |
City COUncil |
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from: |
Timothy M. Keller, Mayor |
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subject: |
LINE-ITEM veto of R-24-106; Adjusting Fiscal Year 2024 Appropriations For Certain Funds And Programs To Provide For Actual Expenditures; And Adjusting Fiscal Year 2025 Operating And Grant Appropriations |
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date: |
January 2, 2025 |
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title
Line-Item Veto Of R-24-106; Adjusting Fiscal Year 2024 Appropriations For Certain Funds And Programs To Provide For Actual Expenditures; And Adjusting Fiscal Year 2025 Operating And Grant Appropriations
body
As authorized by the City Charter, section XI(4), I am exercising my authority to line-item veto R-24-106. I realize many of these items were the result of late-night amendments that may have not had the benefit of thorough legal review, nonetheless, I’m obligated to correct these legal issues through the use of the line-item veto.
The following line items are hereby vetoed:
1. Page 4, lines 1, 2, and 17
“Community Safety Department
Administrative Support 92,000”
“Professional Accountability (92,000)”
I am vetoing the removal of funding from the Albuquerque Police Department, as it is unenforceable and creates an offensive or hostile work environment in violation of City policies. Regardless of intent, it is an inappropriate use of the budget process. Redirecting funds to target a specific staff member undermines the integrity of our governance, human resource system, and is explicitly prohibited by law. Per Article X(2) of the City Charter:
“(a) Councilors are prohibited from becoming involved in the hiring, promotion, demotion or discharge of any city employee, except those positions for which the Charter requires the advice and consent of the Council and those personnel who are hired by and directly responsible to the Council.”
Such actions erode trust in our government and detract from our shared mission to ensure public safety.
2. Page 4, lines 32 through 33 & Page 5, lines 1 through 6
“Appropriation for Development of a Public-Facing Dashboard: From the funds reserved for the Health, Housing, and Homelessness department within Fund (265), $250,000 shall be appropriated for the development and implementation of a public-facing dashboard. This dashboard will specifically focus on behavioral health opioid settlement and housing assistance related to affordable housing. The purpose of this dashboard is to enhance transparency and public engagement by providing real-time data and insights into the City’s affordable housing initiatives.”
While transparency is important, diverting $250,000 from housing vouchers to an IT project undermines our ability to provide direct housing support to vulnerable residents. Every dollar in the housing voucher fund is already committed to contracts with housing providers and directly helps put roofs over people’s heads. Redirecting these funds to a dashboard project, however well-intentioned, fails to address the urgent housing crisis.
My administration remains committed to enhancing transparency and will work with Council to identify alternative funding for this project. This approach ensures we prioritize immediate housing assistance while pursuing long-term transparency initiatives.