Bernalillo County and the City of Albuquerque have been occupying the same facility for... well as long as we can remember. The arrangement has worked pretty well for the two government entities and could even be called efficient - if anything government related could ever be called efficient.
Our Eyes tell us that the county commission has been looking for a suitable property for some time and now they've got their sights set on the Albuquerque Petroleum Building at 500 Marquette. As luck would have it the building is for sale for the rock bottom price of $44 MILLION.
Someone should check the water down there at the government center because the urge to spend tax dollars on brand new toys seems to be spreading. In addition, the city's penchant for obtaining predetermined results from "studies" and task farces is also catching. You see they've asked Tommy Hughes to study the purchase and advise the commission on the feasibility of the purchase.
Mr. Hughes of Hughes & Strumor, Ltd. is the bond counsel for the county - which means that he and his firm would directly benefit from the sale of the bonds that would be required to purchase the property. Now, we don't want to impugn the integrity of Mr. Hughes or his firm, but one can't help but notice a severe conflict of interest. It's kind of like the city hiring Leland Consulting Group - a company that specializes in putting trolleys in cities - to consult on whether or not to install a 19th Century Streetcar (read our take here).
All of this is going on at a time when the economy is struggling, and the county is looking for new tax revenue. It's not like the commission has been frugal over the past few years in fact they've been on somewhat of a spending spree with expenses going from $220 MILLION to $521 MILLION in just three years. For the past two years expenses have outstripped revenue by almost 12% (read it here).
Look, we could understand the county moving if they needed to. Our Eyes tell us that the county isn't cramped or in need of space they simply want a place of their own and they're willing to spend $44 MILLION of our money to get it.
----- Update -----
The Albuquerque Journal ran a story Tuesday on the proposed property purchase (Subscription). The story sites a purchase price of $42 MILLION. That number does not include an estimated $2 MILLION required to make the building county ready. We're sure that there would be some remodeling involved along with physically moving phone and IT systems just for starters. In fact, we'd be surprised if it only cost $2 MILLION particularly if they plan to move other county facilities to the building.
18 comments:
It is unfortunate that we will have nothing to say about the purchase - having no control any longer, over power and resources that are fundamentally ours.
A place of their own? It's just a work place ..... I say buy it if you need it .... If where you are serves the purpose (and there is no need), stay where you are and don't be greedy!
We can't expect our Permanent Politicians to work in the building we already provided for them. They need to have a swanky building with a view - not to mention a luxurious dining room. After all - they are working hard to serve US. (Sarcasm off)
This sale, if it went through, would also take about $400,000 per year off the tax rolls. Hey, but what's money.
The SO needs a bigger space for Marcantel's head..if they will just wait till the Triple Homicide case is over, his head and his ego will subside substantially. Bet he won't claim the "top cop" status after they lose it.
On the other hand it might be a good investment
You don't have to put up with it.
They only do it because you let them.
The argument that this would allow county services to consolidate from other locations and rent revenue from those buildings used towards this expense SOUNDS valid, as does the argument that those other buildings require expensive renovations. What I don't see mentioned anywhere is the potential cost of renovations to THIS building to accomodate BernCo needs. The commissioners should not be voting on this until an estimate of those costs is available and they can evaluate the complete picture.
When taxpayers were sold this deal on the APS Uptown Complex, all of the needed repairs, even code violations were paid for by the district.
Their promise to rent out offices to pay for the building has morphed into a pile on for uptown offices.
You have to wonder why the deal isn't a little bit more transparent.
If the building is making money, how come everyone isn't trying to buy it? Why is it being sold at such a "great deal".
Why won't they answer legitimate questions about the public interests.
Why do you still trust them?
Oh, let's spend the 44 mill. OR just combine the City & the County. Oh, my bad, we've already been down that road. It would cost too much.
BUNCH OF A HOLES ARE RUNNING THIS CITY
Like drunken sailors in a whorehouse. Can't decide on which way to throw away money.
Street cars, trolleys, arenas, now their own personal play pen.
Isn't the brothel at City Hall good enough already?
It's already stocked with prostitutes like Fish & game stock a lake.
Well, look at it from another point of view. The city seems to feel that they have "Home Rule" advantage in all the buildings. The County is often treated like a red headed step child. I for one would like to go to a County facility without feeling like I have to wait because the City is in control of my business.
The best example I can give is that of the parking spaces at the Main Police station. the S.O. is growing and although, still not 1/2 the size of APD, They still have needs. APD has access to 3/4 of the parking places at the main. Internal Affairs, White Collar crimes and other units have had to move more than once(when the were at 1 civic plaza) because the City needed the space.
I appauld Thadeus for looking out for his own. And finding a facility that is a steal in todays market that will only increase in value as the years pass. So call me Oliver and I will simply say. " Can I please have some More?" It's time for the county to get their slice of the pie.
Tim (Waterworld) Cummins and Teresa (Make that F a D, NOW!) Cordova will vote on wasting $44 million even though they're lame ducks.
They've known for month's this scam was in the works (lie and say you didn't!) and we, the taxpayer's, get one week's notice of what these scumbags have been up to.
Any Commissioner who votes for this insider scam (FOLLOW THE MONEY!) should be impeached the next day.
County only has 1200 employees. City has 7,000. APD has 1,000 sworn, and 500 civilians. BCSO has 280 sworn, and 80 civilians. You do the math. The county will waste our tax dollars again. What a joke. They want to be like the City and never ever will be. That is why both entities need to merge. It will never happen because the politicians from the county want their castle.
If you wernt such an idiot, you would have seen that I did that the math and even stated that the SO is not even 1/2 the size of APD. Who are you, an loving member of Mayor Chavez's staff thinking your something special? This is Albuquerque New Mexico, this place is a toilet. Speak to me when you work for a real Govt. The difference between you and me is that I know this place isn't crap!
Bobby, calm down... your too mad to speak clearly and you'll never make sheriff if you sound like a Dee de dee. I value the counties desire to not be the red headed stepchild, but why are they trying to buy a building that seems way larger than they will ever need? At some point in time, won't the city grow to take over the whole county anyway?
Bobby Rolfhs for sheriff??? YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING...wonder if Linda Corriz will be his "UNDER" sheriff???? Someone should dive into Rolfhs connection with Darren and Pitre Buick and the repo scandal....
APD has 1,000 sworn, wow, I didn't know that, like a dream come true.
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