ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – Early voting and election day are inching closer, and aside from the candidates, some big spending from Bernalillo County is on the ballot.
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On this year’s ballot is a $40.5 million GO bond package for Bernalillo County. On the ballot, the package is divided up among six bond questions. “If voters approve that’s like our most reliable source of funding for capital projects,” said Katherine Korte, Chief of Government Operations for Bernalillo County. “I would say that every one of those projects are our top priorities.”
The biggest chunk of the package, $11.7 million, would go to parks with about $2.2 million of that going to the regional recreation complex at Mesa Del Sol. About $10.7 million would go towards transportation needs, including $2 million for phase three of the Bridge Boulevard project. This phase would upgrade the street from Laura Place East to Young Avenue. Millions more will go toward public safety, storm drainage, public housing, and libraries.
“Libraries, that’s all important money. Because that’s really the only way libraries update and can acquire more materials, e-books, that kind of thing,” said Korte.
According to the county, saying “yes” to this GO bond package would also bring more money to the area than what’s on the ballot. “A portion of bonds for storm drain arena are matching funds that will help us secure $47 million in federal and state grants,” said Korte.
She also said an economic analysis of the package noted that if approved, the work in the bond package would bring nearly $12 million in economic activity and 630 new construction jobs to the area. The county has videos and a booklet breaking down each project the money would go towards on its website.
