Bernalillo County approves new guardrails for company tax breaks

Bernalillo County leaders approved a new economic policy that would grade corporations looking for tax breaks based on how much community benefit they provide.

That score will determine how much tax abatement the business would be eligible to receive and would encourage more businesses to hire locally, offer work training and be more environmentally sustainable, county officials said.

“We can be a place that is open for business and that invests in our workforce and in our small businesses and protects our environment,” said Commissioner Barbara Baca, who sponsored the resolution.

The resolution, widely supported by worker advocacy groups, passed the commission on a 4-0 vote Wednesday evening.

Commissioner Walt Benson did not attend the meeting and was excused from the vote.

Commissioners saw these guardrails as a positive step toward shaping the county’s economic future; however, several said it did not go far enough.

Commissioner Frank Baca criticized the resolution for being short-sighted and narrow.

“Is this really the roadmap that we need to improve our economic system?” Frank Baca asked. “Who do we want? What are the companies?”

Commissioner Eric Olivas shared similar criticisms.

Olivas questioned the community benefit fund, which would require businesses to donate 5% of the money they save from not paying taxes.

“If it’s 5%, it’s not even worth doing,” Olivas said, although he added that it would depend on the project.

According to the resolution, the county would use the community benefit fund to start or further its own apprenticeship and workforce development programs.

Additionally, the policy requires the county to create a committee to advise the commission and county manager on new projects and economic opportunities.

The policy will go into effect in late April, according to the resolution.

“I think we have done our homework,” said Baca. “Tonight is the time to test it.”

Gillian Barkhurst is the local government reporter for the Journal. She can be reached at gbarkhurst@abqjournal.com.