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From: BernCo Neighborhood Coordination
Sent: Oct 12, 2016 11:13 AM
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Subject: BernCo News Release: News and actions taken during Tuesday night's Bernalillo County Commission meeting -- 4 different stories:

For Immediate Release Oct. 11, 2016

www.bernco.gov

Contact: Catherine Lopez cathylopez@bernco.gov O. 505.224.1641 C. 505.259.0312

 

BernCo Passes Minimum Wage Increase

-- Annual cost of living adjustment for employees working in the unincorporated area --

Bernalillo County – Tonight, the Board of Commissioners unanimously approved the minimum wage cost of living increase from $8.65 per hour, to $8.70 per hour. This annually-calculated wage increase affects employees who work within the unincorporated area of Bernalillo County, outside of the city limits.

The increase will take effect on January 1, 2017.

“Bernalillo County is keeping pace with the annual cost of living adjustments that our families face every year,” says Commission Chair Art De La Cruz. “The employees affected by this increase are fathers, mothers, and in some cases even teenagers, who are providing for the welfare of their family.”

The new Bernalillo County Minimum Wage Ordinance, which took effect July 1, 2013, addressed a lacking cost of living adjustment compared to other local minimum wage rates. Initially, the county ordinance implemented two increases of .50 cent increments.

·         July 2013 the minimum wage increased from $7.50 to $8.00

·         January 2014, the minimum wage was increased from $8.00 to $8.50

·         January 2015, the minimum wage had an annual cost of living adjustment and was increased to $8.65

On an annual basis, the ordinance requires that the County Commission vote on whether to implement a cost of living increase, that becomes effective on Jan. 1 of the successive year. The increased amount is calculated using a consumer price index formula published by the U.S. Department of Labor. The calculated cost of living increase for the 12-month period of September 2015 to August 2016 is $0.05.

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For Immediate Release Oct. 11, 2016

www.bernco.gov

Contact: Andy Lenderman alenderman@bernco.gov O. (505) 314-0403 C. (505) 414-0485

 

BernCo Incentives Help Successful Local Company Create New Jobs, Millions in New Investment

Bernalillo County – MCT Development Inc. plans to create 68 new permanent jobs, renovate a commercial building and build two new office and manufacturing complexes thanks in part to economic incentives provided by the Bernalillo County Commission.

The commission this evening approved up to $15 million in industrial revenue bonds to help MCT Development renovate and expand the company’s industrial park on Balloon Fiesta Parkway Northeast in the Far North Valley.

The bonds will be privately financed and allow the company some property tax exemptions.

“Once again Bernalillo County is helping a great local company thrive and provide a major boost to the local economy,” Commissioner Lonnie C. Talbert says. “This project is positive all-around: Renovations, new construction, dozens of jobs with good wages and millions in new investment.”

The first phase of the project would invest $3 million to renovate the Balloon Fiesta Parkway Building, a major commercial building in the North Valley. The second phase would invest a total of $12 million to build two new manufacturing facilities – One at 40,000 square feet, and one totaling 50,000 square feet.

The company’s 68 permanent jobs would pay an average of $18 an hour, plus benefits.

The projects would also create as many as 170 temporary construction jobs.

MCT Industries is a family-owned business in operation for 40 years. The company designs, develops and produces custom military and commercial vehicles, aircraft support equipment and other precision parts.

The incentives were approved on two separate votes. In both votes, the measure passed 4-1, with Commissioner Debbie O’Malley voting no.

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BernCo Commission Helps New Mexico Company Expand, Create 44 New Jobs

Bernalillo County – The Bernalillo County Commission this evening approved $5 million in industrial revenue bonds that will help a local company expand and create 44 new jobs.

CCC and S Family, LLC plans to renovate an existing office and distribution center at 3901 Masthead Street N.E. in the North Valley.

The renovated 33,000 square foot corporate headquarters will be used by the company’s tenant, Home Medical Equipment Specialists. HME Specialists has projected $50 million in sales this year. This project will allow HME to retain 44 jobs and create 44 new jobs. The bonds are privately financed and allow the company to access property tax exemptions.

HME Specialists plans to rent and sell home medical supplies from the new facility. Construction has already begun.

The measure passed on a 4-1 vote, with Commissioner Debbie O’Malley voting no.

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For Immediate Release Oct. 11, 2016

www.bernco.gov

Contact: Larry Gallegos lagallegos@bernco.gov O. 505.468.1273 C. 505.459.1851

BernCo Commission Votes to Purchase Property Adjacent to Los Padillas Community Center

Bernalillo County – The Bernalillo County Commission today approved a purchase agreement for the acquisition of the property at 7321 Isleta Blvd. SW, adjacent to Los Padillas Community Center. Acquisition of this property will expand the Los Padillas Community Center campus and create additional space that will help meet the growing needs of the community.

The property is directly north of the Los Padillas Community Center in the South Valley in the traditional village area of Los Padillas.

“During the community process for the Parks, Recreation and Open Space Facilities Master Plan, an addition to Los Padillas Community Center was identified repeatedly as a priority for future development by the county to better serve the residents in this area of the South Valley,” says Commission Chair Art De La Cruz.

The proposed addition would provide space for community center functions that would support local community health and wellness, including a fitness center, clinic and classroom space. There have also been discussions of the potential for a specialized gym to support boxing, wrestling and other activities as part of the addition.

The three-quarter acre property will be purchased with capital funds from the sale of general obligation bonds      that voters approved in 2014 and from the county’s general operating funds.

The property was appraised by an independent appraiser who valued the property at $175,000.
Summary of acquisition expenses:
Total offered and accepted price for land $175,000.00
Closing costs $1,965.93
Total due Seller $176,965.93

The property will remain as is pending additional funding for demolition/removal of the existing structure, and planning and design of a future addition.

A community meeting will be held to discuss potential programming for the new site.

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About Bernalillo County

Bernalillo County is 1,160 square miles and is New Mexico’s most populous county with more than 674,000 residents. Bernalillo County government provides a wide range of public services to residents who live in Albuquerque, Los Ranchos and Tijeras and the 111,000 residents who live outside the village and city limits in the unincorporated areas of the county.  Bernalillo County employs approximately 2,500 people and has an annual operating budget and capital investments of more than $500 million. Elected officials include five county commissioners, assessor, clerk, probate judge, sheriff and treasurer.