Los Ranchos trustees adopt interim budget; approve hires and benefits change
May 19, 2026 | Los Ranchos de Albuquerque, Bernalillo County, New Mexico
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The Village of Los Ranchos Board of Trustees approved an interim FY 2026–27 budget on May 19 that forecasts approximately $6.1 million in general fund operations and a $1.7 million transfer from reserves to capital projects.
Key budget decisions approved tonight include a proposed 3% cost‑of‑living increase for staff, an increase in the village’s share of employee health insurance from 70% to 80% to offset an anticipated 7% premium rise, and the inclusion in the budget of new positions described by staff: a full‑time planner, a transportation manager and a three‑quarter time in‑house attorney position (to reduce reliance on outside legal contracts). Finance director Anna Rodriguez told trustees the village’s projected general fund ending cash balance would be about $9.4 million, well above state minimum reserves.
Trustees also confirmed several personnel actions during the meeting. Nell Pierce was confirmed as administrative coordinator to back up procurement and assist public works and finance; Isaac Varela was confirmed as a part‑time planning intern (10–20 hours/week, nine months) to support code analysis and planning projects.
Trustees asked for more detail on assumptions underpinning revenues — especially permit and construction revenue estimates and the county fire contract increase — and staff said fee updates and positioning in a larger insurance pool influenced the budget proposals. The trustees approved the interim budget on a voice vote; a final budget will be adopted in July after public hearings and additional refinement.
What to expect: Trustees will review and adopt the final budget in July. The approved interim budget also funds near‑term capital planning (including master planning for the Agra/AgrA Nature Center and capital improvements for park infrastructure) and continues a multi‑year effort to build staff capacity for infrastructure programming and grant management.
Contact: Finance Director Anna Rodriguez; Village Administrator.
Key budget decisions approved tonight include a proposed 3% cost‑of‑living increase for staff, an increase in the village’s share of employee health insurance from 70% to 80% to offset an anticipated 7% premium rise, and the inclusion in the budget of new positions described by staff: a full‑time planner, a transportation manager and a three‑quarter time in‑house attorney position (to reduce reliance on outside legal contracts). Finance director Anna Rodriguez told trustees the village’s projected general fund ending cash balance would be about $9.4 million, well above state minimum reserves.
Trustees also confirmed several personnel actions during the meeting. Nell Pierce was confirmed as administrative coordinator to back up procurement and assist public works and finance; Isaac Varela was confirmed as a part‑time planning intern (10–20 hours/week, nine months) to support code analysis and planning projects.
Trustees asked for more detail on assumptions underpinning revenues — especially permit and construction revenue estimates and the county fire contract increase — and staff said fee updates and positioning in a larger insurance pool influenced the budget proposals. The trustees approved the interim budget on a voice vote; a final budget will be adopted in July after public hearings and additional refinement.
What to expect: Trustees will review and adopt the final budget in July. The approved interim budget also funds near‑term capital planning (including master planning for the Agra/AgrA Nature Center and capital improvements for park infrastructure) and continues a multi‑year effort to build staff capacity for infrastructure programming and grant management.
Contact: Finance Director Anna Rodriguez; Village Administrator.
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