This document describes the 2009 General Obligation Bond Program (G.O. bond program) prepared by Mayor Martin J. Chávez and his staff, adopted by the Albuquerque City Council and placed on the ballot for final approval by the voters. The G.O. bond program is one element of the City of Albuquerque’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP). The other main elements are the Component Capital Improvement Program (CCIP) for Impact Fees, the Enterprise Fund capital program, funded by revenue bonds, and the ten-year (Decade Plan) for capital projects. Collectively these and other smaller capital funding sources, are referred to as the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) for the City of Albuquerque.

     Major capital improvements traditionally have been funded primarily with general obligation and revenue bonds. Beginning in 2006, capital funding has also been provided by Impact Fees, which are intended to fund growth related projects. A summary list of the projects may be found in the Component Capital Improvement Program section of the approved Decade Plan for Capital Improvements 2009-2018. In many cases, City of Albuquerque capital funds are matched with Federal and/or State contributions, and private assessments. Matching funds include those from the Federal Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration, Environmental Protection Agency, Economic Development Administration, State Department of Transportation, the State Legislature, and local special assessment districts.

     General Obligation bonds (G.O. bonds) fund a host of capital improvements that directly affect the basic needs and quality of life of every Albuquerque resident. Public safety equipment, including police and fire facilities and vehicles; street and storm drainage improvements; public transportation improvements; medians, parks, recreational and open space facilities; cultural institutions, including the zoo and museums; senior and community centers; all these capital facilities and more are funded primarily by general obligation bonds. Revenue bonds fund improvements to the Sunport, and to the solid waste management and disposal system. Revenue bonds also fund improvements to the Albuquerque / Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority.

     The planning process for preparation of the capital program is a collaboration among Mayor Martin J. Chávez and his staff, the public, and the City Council. The process began in early 2008 with adoption by the City Council of a resolution establishing policies and criteria by which projects submitted for inclusion in the capital program were to be evaluated. Staff and senior management of the City of Albuquerque evaluated those projects and final recommendations were approved by the Mayor. The Mayor sent his recommended CIP to the Environmental Planning Commission (EPC), who held a public hearing on the program. EPC found that the program as presented conformed to the policies and criteria established by the City Council for preparation of the program. The City Council undertook an analysis of the capital program and conducted two public hearings before it was amended and adopted on May 18, 2009. The 2009 general obligation bond program will be placed on the ballot for voter consideration in the municipal election scheduled for October 6, 2009.

     This document contains detailed descriptions of 2009 G.O. bond funded projects arranged in the order of the questions that will appear on the October ballot.