July 08, 2010
The Valencia County Commission last night unanimously agreed to pay the 13th Judicial District Court $50,000 so local courts can continue to offer alternative sentencing that help some offenders stay out of the county jail. The funding will allow the district and magistrate courts to continue contract services provided by a probation officer who monitors [...]
July 07, 2010
Valencia County brought more than $9.7 million in property taxes to the county’s budget during the last fiscal year, which helped the county end the fiscal year with an estimated $892,000 budget surplus. County Business Manager Kenny Griego said Treasurer Dorothy Lovato and her office were responsible for the high property tax revenue. During the [...]
July 02, 2010
The City of Belen is keeping a close eye on the use of city vehicles and overall gas consumption as one way to address continuing budget concerns. In March, the city cut down employees’ vehicle use as one of several step to eliminating what was an estimated $3.5 million budget deficit. The policy keeps employees [...]
June 09, 2010
The City of Belen is considering furloughing all city employees for one day before the end of this fiscal year to help the budget, Interim City Manager Mary Lucy Baca told city councilors at Monday night’s council meeting. A city ordinance requires that all pay increases and decreases be approved by the city council prior [...]
May 20, 2010
Valencia County Manager Eric Zamora said during last night’s county commission meeting that he expects the county to end the current fiscal year on June 30 with up to a $1.5-million surplus. According to county officials, the surplus could be between $850,000 and $1.5 million. Zamora mentioned the positive news as the county commission unanimously [...]
May 18, 2010
The Belen City Council last night unanimously approved a nearly $15-million budget that includes an unbalanced general fund and a projected deficit of more than $137,000. The new mayor and city council began its budget discussions just two months ago, shortly after being elected and appointed, with a projected deficit of $3.2 million. Over the [...]
May 13, 2010
The City of Belen and Belen Consolidated Schools have begun collaborating with one another in a renewed relationship that could better both city and educational services. The new partnership was formed after each government reached out to the other to begin finding areas where the city and district can work together. So far, the city [...]
May 07, 2010
During an 11-hour budget workshop that ended shortly after midnight earlier today, the Belen City Council and mayor came to consensus on a proposed budget that reduces the city’s deficit by approximately $500,000. Mayor Rudy Jaramillo and the city council began working to address a projected $3.2-million budget deficit less than two months ago. After [...]
May 06, 2010
The City of Belen’s police chief has submitted his resignation, as part of a deal that will allow the city’s police officers to keep their take-home vehicles. Chief Mike Chavez gave his letter of resignation to the city yesterday, thanking the mayor and council for his opportunity to serve the people of Belen. His last [...]
May 04, 2010
The City of Belen’s finance director told the city council last night that the reduction in force and other cost-cutting measures have reduced the city’s deficit. Prior to the reduction in force, Michael Steininger, the finance director, told the city council the city had a projected deficit of $3.2 million for the fiscal year beginning [...]