The Bernalillo Town Council tackled several big zoning issues at the Feb. 12 regular meeting, all trying to contend with the continued commercial growth in the town.
The first order of business was the discussion of Ordinance 346. This is an ordinance amending the Official Zoning Map From S-U (Special Use for Shopping Center) to C-1 (Commercial) for Two Tracts Located at 120 Spartan Alley, which is just over 4 acres of land. The property is near the Denny’s and Hwy 550.
The hope for the use of the land would be for a hotel, restaurants and some retail spaces.
The Planning and Zoning Commission held a public hearing on Jan. 2 and voted to recommend approval of the request to the Town Council. This zoning request was made to further some of the Comprehensive Plan goals the Council laid last year to accommodate economic development.
The requested zoning would also include creating on the Bernalillo Transit plan which allows for residential and commercial zoning issues, while increasing access to public transit.
The council will get 30 days to take action on the zoning changes.
Then the Council listened to three more pieces of business all having to do with different kinds of funding. All had to do with the Budget Adjustments with different funds including for the general fund, special revenue fund, and enterprise fund.
Budget Windfall
There were higher than anticipated Gross Receipts Taxes collected since July 1, giving the town more money to use for the general fund for operational expenses like payroll. The additional revenue amounts were adjusted about 10%. It would also allow the finance department to increase spending by $123,000. About $83,00 would be used to cover payroll expenses in the town and $40,000 to cover GRT Admin Fee expenses.
The council voted for the special fund increase to pay for fire department overtime of about $5,000.
The council and mayor received a surprise announcement at the end of the meeting, where the State Auditor Joe Maestas acknowledged small, medium and large communities for best financial audit and most improved audit. Bernalillo received recognition for “most improved” financial audit for large communities with a budget of $10 million or more gross receipts tax.