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Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Q&A released on potential changes coming to New Mexico State Fairgrounds
Video: Coverage of the fair in 2024. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) — Bernalillo County released an update on the future of New Mexico's state fair Tuesday morning. The new details come after Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham spoke in late 2024 about potentially moving the state fair, and upgrading the fairgrounds. Take a look at the questions and answers provided by Bernalillo County below: The county says this is the State of New Mexico's decision. Full Response: 'It is state-owned land and ultimately the State of New Mexico's decision. The state's General Services Department released a $500,000 request for proposal (RFP) on March 6 for professional consultants to propose a master plan that will form the baseline for determining the area's future, including the location of the fair and any new improvements to the site. The state's General Services Division will select the consultant that will form the master plan.' The state says, 'there is substantial potential to increase the usage of the State Fairgrounds on a year-round basis.' Full Response: 'State Sen. Mimi Stewart (D-Albuquerque), whose district includes the State Fairgrounds, also has advocated significant revitalization of the area to include 'a mixed-use, mixed-income, walkable, green space-filled neighborhood.' She sponsored Senate Bill 481, which passed both the state House and Senate during the just-ended legislative session and is awaiting the governor's signature. If signed into law, it will create a State Fairgrounds District and form a mechanism to finance redevelopment in the area, based on the findings in the master planning process.' This bill, sponsored by state Sen. Mimi Stewart, forms the 'State Fair District.' Full Response: 'This district would encompass the existing fairgrounds and any contiguous land acquired subsequently, aiming to revitalize the area through economic development initiatives. The bill includes provisions for a property tax levy and authorizes the issuance of up to $500 million in bonds to finance infrastructure projects within the district. SB 481 names the district board members as the following seven elected officials or their designees: the governor; the state senator, state representative, county commissioner and city councilor from the area; the mayor and a representative community member selected by the governor. This board will appropriate funding for the district.' The Expo site is in Bernalillo County, as opposed to Albuquerque. Full Response: While the land is owned by the state, the Expo New Mexico site is technically not in the City of Albuquerque but in the unincorporated area of Bernalillo County. For any private development on the land, developers could seek permitting either through the city or the county. Request-for-proposal submissions are due April 18. Full Response: 'They will be reviewed and scored by a committee selected by the state's General Services Department. The contract is scheduled to be awarded by May 9, per the state website.' Bernalillo County is not aware of a specified location at this time. Full Response: 'The state approved the governor's capital outlay request for funding in House Bill 450 in the amount of $14 million for 'EXPO NM Fairgrounds Infrastructure Improvements and site acquisition.' Bernalillo County, however, is not aware of a named location or vision for the future of the annual State Fair.' It would allow some tax revenue to stay in the district for developing infrastructure. Full Response: 'The district would allow for certain tax revenue (state GRT, gaming revenue, and property tax) from the defined 'district' – in this case, the area of the current fairgrounds – to stay in the district to finance its infrastructure development – such as for roads, water/sewer and community facilities. The district would need the approval of the state Board of Finance, New Mexico Finance Authority and the state Legislature to issue bonds, which then could expedite development. District funds would be controlled by a specially created body of elected officials or their designees.' Those chances will be announced once a master-plan developer is chosen. Full Response: 'Further opportunities will be scheduled after a master-plan developer is selected and can field questions in the setting of a public meeting. The potential contractors have been encouraged to consider data-driven economic analysis and community engagement in forming the master plan.' A finalized plan is expected to be available by early 2026. Full Response: 'Upon selection of a developer for the master plan in May, public engagement, including in-person public meetings, will follow through the summer. A draft of the master plan is expected by fall, and a finalized plan should be available no later than early 2026. A budget and construction timeline then would be determined by the District Board.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
County, state at odds over future of State Fair grounds
Feb. 27—A contentious meeting about the future of Expo New Mexico — and with it the State Fair — took place Wednesday evening as more than 100 people crowded into the African American Pavilion on the fairgrounds in Albuquerque. The meeting came a few hours after the state canceled a bidding process for a master plan aimed at transforming the fairgrounds, according to Bernalillo County Executive Development Officer Marcos Gonzales. "I just found out this evening," Gonzales told the Journal following the meeting. "Ultimately, if we wanted to be more prepared, we would need more information from the state on their master plan process and what they want to actually have at the site." In December, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced the state would put out a $500,000 request for proposal, or RFP, to bidders willing to create a master plan to flip the fairgrounds into a mixed-use development. The state planned to finalize the original RFP contract by Feb. 20 and award it Friday. They instead canceled it Wednesday. Another RFP will be sent out next week, according to Anna Silva, acting secretary of New Mexico's General Services Department. Michael Coleman, spokesperson for the governor's office, did not respond to multiple requests for comment. And Martin J. Chávez, the former three-term mayor of Albuquerque, who was tapped by the governor to help on the project, said he didn't know why the RFP was canceled. "This was my decision to hold this meeting. The state wasn't necessarily wanting to," Bernalillo County Commissioner Adriann Barboa told the Journal. "I asked them to come to be transparent." Barboa, who represents the district that includes the fairgrounds, said she hasn't spoken directly with the governor about plans for the site and instead receives updates from Chávez. He defended the project Wednesday. "About six months ago, the governor approached me and said, 'Look, what's going on right now in the southeast part of Albuquerque is not sustainable,'" Chávez recalled. "You see it every day: the homicides, the unhoused run over, left dead on the street." The room erupted moments later in opposition to the project after Chávez mentioned the possibility of moving the fair. Barboa tried to calm the room by telling them that officials had not yet decided on moving the fair. It yielded mild success. Chávez eventually regained control of the crowd. "Everyone will be heard," he told them, noting he was speaking on Lujan Grisham's behalf. The crowd still cast skepticism on their ability to sway the state to not move the fair. "They will have already decided the main framework, so all we can do is decide, do we want high-rise buildings? Or do we want low-rise buildings? We have already lost the ability to have input as to what the RFP was for," Paul Losinski said during his turn to speak. Another Albuquerque resident, René Horvath, said moving the fair won't solve the problems on East Central. "Leave the fair alone, it's not a problem," Horvath said. "I'm going to be heartbroken if they move the fair." The public concern about the future of the fair had an impact on Bernalillo County Commission Chairman Eric Olivas. "We needed to present a better menu of options, a vision for the future and better address the serious and legitimate concerns raised," Olivas wrote to the Journal on Thursday. "I heard loud and clear two messages: community does not want to move the fair, and we must better address crime and rampant drug use on Central." He also pinned blame on the state for canceling the RFP, saying it "set us back tremendously." County commissioners are set to vote March 11 on whether to establish a financial tool known as a Tax Increment Development District, or TIDD, at the fairgrounds. In January, commissioners voted unanimously to take a vote on establishing a TIDD, at the state's request.
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Risk Management Division reports $3.9 million shortfall in settlement fund
The state government building that houses the General Services Department, seen from West Cordova Road in Santa Fe.(Photo by Austin Fisher / Source NM) The agency charged with insuring New Mexico state government reported a negative balance of $3.9 million in its settlement fund, and estimated during a Wednesday presentation to the Senate Finance Committee that the fund could be on the hook for $87.9 million more in outstanding settlements. In short: 'The fund is currently negative with outstanding liabilities that far exceed the assets,' said Risk Management Deputy Director Markita Sanchez. Several large settlements — particularly from New Mexico's child welfare and corrections departments — drove the losses, the Legislative Finance Committee reported in its proposed budget. The government insurer plans to raise rates across most state agencies by $10 million to nearly $33.7 million and is also seeking a $17 million dollar plug from state lawmakers to shore up the fund's reserves. But independent legislative analysis found in 2023 the state's laws are not primed to 'cover or prevent escalating settlement costs,' a responsibility often left to the agencies. The $87.9 million figure is only an estimate of future costs for the fiscal year, but lawmakers said the dollar amount raises continued concerns for the solvency of the state's public liability fund. 'The system is broke,' said Sen. Pat Woods (R-Clovis) to members of Risk Management on Wednesday. 'It's not your fault, you're living under the law; it's not your fault the system is broke.' The Risk Management Division — a portion of the broad umbrella of the General Services Department — is the self-insurer of 130 state agencies against a variety of claims, and manages the fund for voluntary or court-ordered settlements from anything from injuries from tripping on a sidewalk, to civil rights violation allegations, severe injuries, sexual misconduct and death. The state pays those settlements using the Risk Management Fund but, in recent years, the increase in the number and costs of settlements has risen. The average number of claims filed against New Mexico doubled in the last four years to 2,350 per year. In May of 2024, the public liability fund only had enough cash to cover 16% of the anticipated payouts, about $145 million short, according to a report from the Legislative Finance Committee. Last year, the Legislature allowed a $20 million dollar transfer to boost reserves in the Public Liability Fund and allowed for additional transfers from state state agencies. The goal, according to state report cards, is for the fund to have at least 50% of reserves to cover outstanding liabilities. State law has some caps for settlements, but those limits do not apply to federal civil rights. The state Constitution usually limits most state agencies from spending money they don't have, but because these settlements are often made to end lawsuits, state law allows Risk Management to fulfill settlements and recoup the costs from later premium charges. But the costs of settlements are outstripping how much the agency is charging for the costs of insurance, and more agencies are having to pay higher premiums. Joe Vigil, the spokesperson for the General Services Department, told lawmakers that insurance premiums are rising for approximately 74% of the state's 130 agencies. Large departments with large settlements had the highest insurance premium increases: the New Mexico Corrections Department; New Mexico State University; the Children Youth and Families Department; the University of New Mexico; and UNM Hospital, according to an August Legislative Finance Committee report. 'Most agencies, even those without claims history, saw a large percentage increase – it might only be a few thousand dollars – but a large percentage increase in their liability premiums,' Vigil told the committee. ' Because, to make up those other rate increases, other agencies are pitching in as well.' The premiums increase is based on loss history, so the greatest jumps are for the small number of agencies with 'significant claims history,' while 34 agencies will see no change or insurance costs decrease. State accounting procedures mean that higher liability insurance payments show up as increases in agency's personnel costs, the LFC noted. Sen. Nicole Tobiassen (R-Albuquerque) said she was frustrated that some agencies are picking up the tab for other agencies' settlements. 'If I were running an effective agency that maybe had the lowest rate of claims, I would be very unhappy right at this moment, knowing that I'm paying for the challenges – let's say, the gaps in all these other agencies,' Tobiassen said. 'I understand why it works that way, but it's definitely alarming.' Acting General Services Secretary Anna Silva said Wednesday the agency is instituting steps to better address the number of claims, such as doubling the number of attorneys working at the agency. She promised to hold meetings with the state agencies that generate the majority of claims. These meetings would address that 'claims are being settled without the knowledge of leadership,' Silva said, adding that the meetings would start after the legislative session. The staffing changes include a team of three staff assigned to the Children Youth and Families Department, Silva told lawmakers. In 2024, CYFD settled $18 million across 12 settlements, according to a Source NM review of the settlement data available on the state's portal. The settlements ended lawsuits alleging the department's responsibility for the deaths or severe injuries of children in state custody, from years ago. The most recent was a $4 million December 2024 settlement to end a civil lawsuit brought on behalf of two children who had remained in the custody of parents when the department had more than two dozen complaints alleging abuse first filed in 2020. Additional attorneys will address state agencies before claims are filed, but also have more time for fighting in the courtroom, Risk Management Division Director Jeannette Chavez said during Wednesday's Senate Finance Committee meeting. 'With the amount of attorneys that we have in the team that we have, we can start working with the individual agencies with their legal counsel, informing them and partnering with them on what we can do to not only settle the claims, but also fight those claims that can be fought,' Chavez said. 'Because before we have always just been an open checkbook and we are stopping that.' On Monday, the Senate Judiciary Committee tabled Senate Bill 132, which would have capped settlement payments. The Senate Judiciary did approve Senate Bill 220, also carried by Woods, which requires the Risk Management Division to continue publishing settlement data with state agencies within 30 days of settlement, which the department is currently doing voluntarily. The bill heads to Senate Finance next. SB 220, if passed, would also require Risk Management to appoint a review team when a state agency's alleged actions cause a death, serious injury or substantial loss, a practice inspired by a program in Washington state. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
