Accounting, Budgets, & Transparency

Transparency in Public Accounting and Budgets

You can’t fix what you don’t see. Like many cities, Albuquerque’s budget is complicated—spread across numerous projects and funded by various revenue sources, making it difficult for most people to understand. This lack of transparency hides the true cost of deferred maintenance and the city’s ability to provide basic services.

Decades of car-centric, sprawling growth have left Albuquerque with a $100+ million road maintenance deficit, yet we continue expanding roads we can’t afford to maintain. Instead of doubling down on this unsustainable growth spiral, we need policies that prioritize fiscal responsibility, infill development, and better land use decisions.

At Strong Towns ABQ, we’re working to make property assessments more accessible so residents can better understand where our city’s tax revenue comes from—and where it goes. We’re also advocating for policies that shift Albuquerque toward a financially sustainable, people-focused future.

Curious about how our city’s land use affects its long-term financial health? Check out Tyler Jordan’s presentation on Albuquerque’s Value Density on our YouTube channel! Let’s build a stronger, more resilient Albuquerque together.