3 takeaways from the Bernalillo County Commission meeting

More funding for a broadband project and updates on a county shelter program were both on the Bernalillo County Commission agenda Tuesday.

1. The Family Wellness Shelter seems to be working.

County commissioners heard updates on the county’s Family Wellness Shelter, which is located at an undisclosed hotel and provides publicly funded hotel rooms for homeless families. The program has reached 269 families since it began as a winter shelter program in 2022, and 80% of the families have been placed into housing or connected with loved ones who can provide them with a place to live, according to Greg Perez, deputy county manager for public safety.

District 5 Commissioner Eric Olivas wanted to know if it’s realistic for the county to purchase and open its own facility, but based on the properties available on the market, Perez recommended continuing the program as it is — the county paying for rooms at a private hotel.

2. A new fiber project could improve broadband access in western Albuquerque.

Commissioners approved $500,000 for a Central Atrisco fiber project. The $500,000 represents 25% of the project cost and is coming from American Rescue Plan Act funds.

The project would install 8.4 miles of fiber-optic cable and other necessary infrastructure in west Albuquerque. It should primarily benefit District 1 and District 2 and could serve as a future connection for the Metropolitan Detention Center.

The county already approved construction of the project in May 2023, with funding from a federal Economic Development Administration grant and county matching funds. But bids to build the project came in $500,000 over the funding.

3. County commissioners appointed a new member to the detention advisory board.

Diego Guerrerortiz was appointed to the Detention Facility Advisory Board. He will represent District 5. Commissioners also reappointed people to the DWI Planning Council — Peter St. Cyr representing District 1 — and to the Senior Affairs Advisory Council — Evan Thompson who will fill an at-large position.