The County of Bernalillo 's Political Structure
Bernalillo County consists of nearly 1200 square miles and over 574,000 residents. Bernalillo County has no local charter and must govern in accordance with the detailed directives of state law.
By state statute, Bernalillo County has a traditional Commission/ Manager form of government or “unified” form, in which a five-member districted County Commission serves as the governing body and hires a county manager to perform executive functions. The Commission delegates most of the day-to-day administrative matters to the county manager.
A five-member Bernalillo County Commission (BCC) serves as the governing body for the County. County Commissioners are elected by districts. Within the city boundaries, County districts overlap with those of the City. County commissioners represent the entire County. (See map). The County assesses property and collects and distributes property taxes for the entire County, including those areas within the municipal limits. A portion of those taxes are distributed to the City of Albuquerque and other taxing districts such as the Metropolitan Area Flood Control Authority (AMAFCA) and the Bernalillo County Medical Center (BCMC). The Sheriff has law enforcement responsibilities for areas outside the municipal limits.
Recent amendments to state statute enacted by the legislative in 2003 gave the BCC exclusive planning, platting and zoning authority over the unincorporated areas outside the city limits. These amendments also set up a water utility with 3 members of the County Commission , 3 members of the City Council and the Albuquerque Mayor. The water utility makes decisions on the extension of water lines, considered to be a primary tool in managing growth.
Elections for County elected officials are partisan elections. Candidates are selected in Democratic and Republican Party primaries and run as party tickets in the general election. Under state law, commissioners are limited to two consecutive four-year terms of office.
In addition to the County Commission , Bernalillo County has five elected officials for the offices of Sheriff, County Clerk , County Assessor , County Treasurer , and Probate Judge. Countywide voters elect these officials directly, and they administer their departments independently of the County Manager or County Commission . However, their budgets must be approved by the Commission. For fiscal year ending June 30, 2002 , the operating budget for Bernalillo County was approximately $110 million. The County employs 1500 employees.
The BCC hires a county manager as its chief executive in charge of implementing policy and overseeing daily operations. The Manager oversees 25 other departments that range from Animal Regulation to Zoning.
For more information about County Government , click on the link below: http://www.bernco.gov/live/
Functions of the Bernalillo County Commission
• Set property tax rate for all real property within Bernalillo County .
• Respond to citizen concerns in unincorporated areas of the County
• Appoint and direct a County Manager
• Represent five districts of the County
• Introduce and enact County ordinances and resolutions (local laws)
• Set policies for the operation of County government
• Make zoning and land use decisions in the unincorporated areas
• Approve the operating budget and appropriate funds
• Decide on the capital improvements program to be presented to the voters
For more information on the County Commission :
http://www.bernco.gov/commission/index.html
Functions of the Bernalillo County Manager
• Administer day to day operations of county projects and programs
• Appoint and direct county department heads, except for the five independently elected officials
• Carry out County Commission policies
• Prepare operating budget for Commission consideration and approval.
The Sheriff administers law enforcement for the unincorporated areas of the County. The office maintains crime statistics, conducts criminal investigations, and recruits and manages deputies. http://www.bernco.gov/sheriff/index.html
The Clerk's office records deeds, mortgages, judgments, liens, deeds of trust, and other legal documents. All new purchases or transfers of property must be recorded with the County Clerk 's office. The Clerk's Office is the only agency permitted to issue marriage licenses within Bernalillo county. The Clerk is responsible for recording and maintaining all records of minutes, resolutions and ordinances passed by the County Commission .
The County Clerk manages County elections and conducts voter registration. The Clerk's office is responsible for tabulating votes after elections. The Clerk's office handles filing of candidacies for State Senators and representatives, Metropolitan Court Judges, County Clerk , Sheriff, Assessor, Treasurer, and County Commissioners . The Clerk also handles candidacies for Paradise Hills, Los Ranchos de Albuquerque and the Village of Tijeras . The Clerk provides to the public all information on elections, including polling places and election results. For more information go to: http://www.bernco.gov/clerk/index.html
Functions of the County Assessor
The County Assessor 's office determines the property values of homes, businesses, and other taxable property in Bernalillo County . The Assessor sets the assessed valuation and prepares the tax roll for the County Treasurer on real property (land and improvements); personal property (office equipment); livestock and mobile homes. http://www.bernco.gov/assessor/index.html
Functions of the County Treasurer
The Treasurer's office is the property tax collector for Bernalillo County , City of Albuquerque , Albuquerque Public Schools , the State of New Mexico , and other taxing agencies within Bernalillo County . More than 250,000 property tax bills are mailed by the County Treasurer 's Office annually.
As the “banker” for the County, the Treasurer is also responsible for collecting all other money due other County departments such as fees for services, licenses, and revenues from bond issues and special assessments.
The Treasurer assures the legality and propriety of disbursements and invests surplus money until it is needed for County operations. For more information on the Treasurer, go to: http://www.bernco.gov/treasurer/index.html
Functions of the Probate Judge
Bernalillo County Probate Court exercises jurisdiction over cases of information probate necessary to the proper settlement of estates of deceased persons. http://www.bernco.gov/probate_judge/index.html
Albuquerque Political Structure & History
•
Albuquerque's Government
• Albuquerque's Public Officers
• Laws That Govern Albuquerque
• History of Albuquerque's Neighborhoods
• Public Resources
Bernalillo County
Political Structure
•
The County's Government
• The County's Public Officers
• Laws That Govern Counties
• Public Resources
