A NEW ECONOMIC FORECAST SAYS THE CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE COULD BE FACED WITH A 20-MILLION-DOLLAR DEFICIT NEXT YEAR. THE REASON: THE ALBUQUERQUE JOURNAL SAYS HIGHER SPENDING IS EXPECTED FOR EMPLOYEE MEDICAL BENEFITS … SALARIES … STAFFING AT THE ALBUQUERQUE POLICE DEPARTMENT … AND NEW COSTS THAT WOULD BE ASSOCIATED WITH OPERATING PROJECTS LIKE ALBUQUERQUE RAPID TRANSIT.
BUT CITY OFFICIALS SAY EFFICIENT BUDGETING SHOULD LESSEN THE INTENSITY OF THE SHORTFALL. AND MAYOR TIM KELLER’S ADMINISTRATION IS NOW IN THE EARLY STAGES OF PUTTING TOGETHER A BUDGET FOR FISCAL 2020, WHICH STARTS IN JULY. KELLER HAS TO SUBMIT HIS PROPOSAL TO THE CITY COUNCIL BY APRIL 1ST.
