Town Councilors in Bernalillo Monday evening identified wastewater system improvements as their top priority in a capital planning list to be sent to state authorities.
Councilors approved the town’s infrastructure capital improvement plan (ICIP) for fiscal years 2027 through 2031.
The 21 items on the list were mostly unchanged, with councilors agreeing to a suggestion by capital projects administrative coordinator Mari Hernandez to add more flexibility to the Roosevelt Community Center Campus upgrade project. She said it’s intended as a community kitchen and will get a new scope of work that reflects that purpose but allows the money to be spent on related items at the site. A nearly identical item was dropped from the list.
Mayor Jack Torres suggested prioritizing the wastewater treatment plant improvements because U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury has included it in her legislative request. He noted the town previously got the project approved.
“Then there was no budget for any of those projects from Congress last year,” Torres said. “So she’s pushing for it, and I want to keep it there so that if we do get funding and they come in and say, ‘is it a priority?’ We can say, ‘yes, it is.’”
The $20 million project includes new ultraviolet disinfection equipment, a wash water pump station, grit separation equipment, fall protection and other items. The project was conceived based on a needs analysis done in accordance with the Town’s wastewater treatment plant master plan, according to the agenda.
Water system improvements were listed as the No. 2 priority. The top five also included rehabilitation of the Molino Building, phased construction of a new police station and a new fire station.
The New Mexico Department of Finance and Administration requires each of the state’s local governments to submit an annual ICIP.
Those plans help communities find state and federal aid for their capital projects.
Also at the meeting, Fire Chief AJ Bonnett told councilors his department’s greatest concern this time of year is bosque and hillside fires.
Regarding the Fourth of July holiday, he said on-duty fire crews will be looking to handle fire incidents quickly. Police Chief Chris Stoyell said officers will conduct regular patrols and assist the fire department should those lighting illegal fireworks become unruly.
Commissioners also approved eight lodger’s tax awards totalling $112,500 and authorized the hires of a police officer and two park maintenance workers.