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: |
Veto Of C/S O-24-67: Amending Chapter 2, Article 11 Of The City Of Albuquerque Code Of Ordinances To Improve The City’s Budget Proposal Processes And Strengthen Oversight And Accountability Measures |
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date: |
December 30, 2025 |
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title
Veto Of C/S O-24-67: Amending Chapter 2, Article 11 Of The City Of Albuquerque Code Of Ordinances To Improve The City’s Budget Proposal Processes And Strengthen Oversight And Accountability Measures
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First, I want to recognize all of the staff who worked on this legislation over the past year. I fully understand the significant time, expertise, and dedication it takes for my Administration and Council staff to collaborate in good faith, work through complex issues, and ultimately reach a thoughtful compromise. That process reflects the best of public service and a shared commitment to delivering meaningful results.
However, during final passage, several adopted amendments unfortunately undermined much of the staff’s work and raise concerns that I believe warrant careful consideration. A few examples are:
1. Page 9, lines 26-27 - This language directs the Administration on how to formulate the proposed budget and likely conflicts with the City Charter.
2. Page 18, lines 23-33, and Page 19, lines 1-20 - This language would require the Council to have direct and concurrent access to all “budget preparation, accounting, and fiscal analysis” databases, software, and financial systems. Providing direct and concurrent access to all such systems likely conflicts with the City Charter, which specifies that the Council shall have “access to all information relating to the formulation of the budget,” rather than access to broader operational information not directly related to budget formulation, such as accounting and fiscal analysis systems.
Rather than sending these concerns to the Intergovernmental Conference Committee, “ICC,” and potentially setting up future legal separation of powers disputes in the courts, I am vetoing this ordinance, but welcome the chance to work on the general Budget process together with the new Council in 2026. I view this moment as an opportunity. The foundation that was built through months of dialogue, analysis, and cooperation remains strong.
I respectfully ask that the City Council uphold my veto and together we establish a Conference Committee consistent with the City Charter and Chapter 2, Article 11 of the Code of Ordinances. I propose that the Conference Committee work collaboratively through each article of the Budget Ordinance, discussing and developing potential changes together. Through this process I am confident that we can reengage constructively, and continue working together to advance solutions that work for everyone.