2021 is over and done! Not the year we were hoping for, but as I promised a couple of weeks back, my annual end of year review shows that the Village has accomplished some pretty great things, despite pandemic disruptions. As always, the real credit goes to our amazing staff. Please take the chance to thank them when you meet.
Effective communication with you, the residents, is key. We are still improving our website to add content and make it more user friendly. The Mayor’s Message is posted every Friday to the website and sent by email to anyone who signs up at info [at] corrales-nm.org. Printed copies are posted on the Administrative Office Bulletin Board, as well as in the Senior Center. Council meeting agendas and public packets are online. The Administration has improved our outdated and often incompatible technology (phone, computer and cable) so now we can better respond to you and each other, make upgrades and stay current. In a major achievement, the Corrales Community Library has a new website and also upgraded WiFi technology which allows connection from the parking lot.
The Village is in excellent financial health. The Village does a great deal with the annual 6 million dollar budget, funding a police and fire department, municipal court, public works, parks and recreation, library, and administration. We’ve got about 4 million invested with the Local Government Investment Pool. We’ve fixed some long-standing issues and have now implemented a new finance system. Our ongoing bond program continues to be successful; General Obligation bonds from 2020 are funding ongoing infrastructure projects and the 2018 Farmland/Open Space bond has now been fully utilized to preserve 25 acres.
With help from the Mid-Region Council of Governments, the Planning and Zoning Department and a citizen committee, the Village undertook an analysis and revision of its Chapter 18 Land Use Ordinances. The final product should be before the Council in January.
Infrastructure! The Thompson Fenceline Trail connection has been completed. The Village launched a glass recycling program. The Police Department got remodeled and the Administration Building got new security upgrades. Enhanced audio capabilities are being installed in Council Chambers. Animal Control is making improvements to its facility. Angel Road got repaved and Loma Larga improvements continue northward. Courtesy of the New Mexico Department of Transportation, Corrales Road is repaved and our crosswalks are designated and striped. The Corrales Fire Department continues to expand its fire suppression pipe and in conjunction with the Tree Committee, is planting trees in the bosque. Public Works assisted CHS volunteers to install new wood floors in the Old Church. Parks and Recreation assisted Master Gardeners in planting a pollinator garden in La Entrada Park.
The Village deserves recognition for its response to the COVID crisis. Commander Tanya Lattin has done so much through her vaccination efforts and outreach that she was named New Mexico Emergency Manager of the Year, given an award from the local VFW and recognized by local media. Corrales staff and volunteers have vaccinated thousands of people (including children).
As you can see, the Village has been quite busy, and these are just the highlights! For a more extensive review, see: corrales-nm.org. As we move into 2022, the Village plans to tackle completing Meadowlark Phase 2, reconstructing the Administrative Parking lot (with improved signage), remodeling the Administration Building, starting bond-funded work on the Recreation Center and proceeding with the Multi-purpose Center, the Pedestrian Access Route and the Interior Drain project, among others. Road and wastewater improvements (the latter funded by federal monies) will also be on the agenda.
Corrales is a wonderful place and we have a lot to be thankful for. Don’t forget to check our website for upcoming meetings and events, enjoy our trails or shop local. Whatever you choose to do to ring in 2022, please be safe and enjoy yourselves, Corrales-style.
Jo Anne Roake
Mayor of Corrales
