TIMOTHY M. KELLER, MAYOR
CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE
OFFICE OF THE MAYOR/ CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE
INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM
TO:
CITY COUNCIL
FROM:
TIMOTHY M. KELLER, MAYOR
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
DATE:
DECEMBER 30, 2025
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
body
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 sen...
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