New Mexico News
| Councilors Budget More Money for Buses |
| Posted by () on May 21 2008 at 7:37 PM |
City councilors cut funding for the Balloon Museum and an animal-adoption center Monday to provide more money for the bus system and zoning enforcement.
The changes were part of a budget proposal offered by Michael Cadigan as an alternative to the mayor's. The council voted 8-0 in favor of the Cadigan measure, with minor changes.
It now goes to Mayor Martin Chávez, who can make line-item vetoes or reject the budget altogether. Six of nine council votes are needed for an override.
"We made some difficult choices," Cadigan said.
Chávez, meanwhile, called the budget "a mistake for Albuquerque taxpayers."
The measure restores about 30 of the 225 vacant jobs the mayor had proposed to cut from the payroll. The move adds several bus drivers, code-enforcement inspectors and librarians.
The Cadigan budget— about $475 million altogether— also provides extra money for storm-drainage projects, a staffer to help small businesses and up to 3.5 percent raises for most employees.
The measure removes $700,000 for a West Side animal-adoption center, which will be postponed for a year. It also cuts at least $200,000 from the Balloon Museum and $1.3 million for an expanded renovation of the fire academy.
Also cut were proposals for a program to address teen depression and an economic-development effort focused on sustainability.
The mayor's office released a short statement opposing the council action.
About $1.3 million "was taken from public safety, and the Balloon Museum deserved full support," Chávez said. "Additionally, hundreds of animals will suffer because of the decision to withdraw funds currently available to go forward with a West Side adoption center."
The administration said it had already negotiated a lease for the adoption center at Cottonwood Mall. City executives said the center would reduce euthanasia by boosting adoptions of homeless pets in a fast-growing part of town.
During public comment, about 20 people testified in favor of the mayor's budget.
Much of the debate centered on the Anderson/Abruzzo Balloon Museum. The administration proposed a budget of almost $1.4 million.
Cadigan wanted to cut it by $500,000, but Councilor Debbie O'Malley successfully sponsored an amendment to restore some of the money. Her measure reduces Cadigan's cut to $400,000, plus the museum can get an extra $200,000 if it proposes a private fundraising plan.
"We have to be careful we don't eviscerate the program," said Councilor Rey Garduño, who favored the O'Malley amendment.
Cadigan and Isaac Benton favored the deeper cut.
"It's time for a wake-up call," Benton said. "We have asked time and time again for more private and nonprofit" fund-raising for the museum.
Cadigan said attendance is poor enough to warrant closing the museum a few days a week.
"I've been the only visitor in the building, except for the person with me," he said.
Cadigan's bill passed 8-0, with Don Harris absent.
City Hall Budget
Boosts funding for bus drivers, code inspectors and librarians.
Cuts money to open a "Lucky Paws" pet center on the West Side and reduces funding to run the Balloon Museum.
Includes a small cut in the sales-tax rate.
Overall city spending would drop about 6 percent for the fiscal year starting July 1.
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