The Village of Corrales is blessed with a dedicated, hard-working and committed staff and many talented volunteers. Many residents may not realize how hard they work on our behalf. The pandemic disrupted our plans and our sense of time, but these people never stopped working for you. This overview tries to capture the accomplishments of the past few years.
Technology/Communications:
Government must find ways to effectively communicate with citizens and this task can be surprisingly difficult. Today, everyone increasingly relies on technology to gather, distribute, and receive information. In March of 2018, antiquated and mixed systems within the Village made communications difficult, both internally and externally. We committed to improving the systems, which took a long time (and is still ongoing), due to difficulties in unraveling a multitude of old systems. Now, instead of being sub-par, Village communication systems are to a level where they can be expanded and improved to meet upcoming challenges. The goal is to make it easier to communicate internally to get government business done and externally to quickly and accurately share information with the citizens of Corrales.
1) The Village acquired and installed a new server to gain internal control over our network and email to gain:
- Control over our own email and communications systems
- Cost savings (cost of new server already recouped )
- Independence from reliance on expensive outside vendors.
2) Installed a new VoIP telephone system to achieve:
- Greater connectivity and communication abilities
- Fewer dropped calls
- improved call quality
- An end to ghost lines and answering systems
3) Installed Fiber Optic Cable to gain:
- Better inter-connectivity among municipal buildings (Administration, Parks and Recreation, and Library)
- Lower cost
4) Replaced obsolete computers and other equipment.
5) Purchased a Tyler Technologies system. When installation is completed, this program will streamline and simplify many administrative functions, such as payroll, business registrations, permits, grants management, etc. The job is still ongoing, due to the work necessary to improve and upgrade previous finance and bookkeeping practices.
6) Improved Technology standards now allow the Village to upgrade and formulate a standard replacement and maintenance schedule.
7) Created and launched a user-friendly Village website which is:
- Easier to use
- Allows greater internal control
- Costs much less
- Is tailored to municipal needs
- Offers Expanded information
- Includes an Emergency notification banner
8) Created and wrote a Mayor’s Message every Friday as an additional communication channel,
9) Created and launched a new Corrales Community Library website.
Finance:
The Village of Corrales, with its annual budget of approximately 6 million dollars, must understand where its monies are, know those monies are being accounted for appropriately, and have a plan for the future. The general ledger finances of Corrales have always been found to be sound in yearly state audits. However, for several years, internal systems were not being utilized and it created real obstacles in understanding our true assets and bottom line, especially in our special accounts (grants, etc.) The Village hired a forensic accounting firm to make sure the “excess” monies were really ours. The good news – they are. This means we have a cushion for a healthy reserve and monies to fund projects around the Village. Municipal accounting is not easy and the staff is still working to get our historic entries corrected. However, we are a lot closer than we were. The Village shares budgetary information with the public and the Council (you can see budgets for the past two years on the Corrales website in the Village Council meeting agenda packets). When Tyler Technologies goes online, the hard work of staff will really pay off.
The Village has also started a permanent bond program to make sure we have a steady stream of money coming to Corrales to keep up with infrastructure needs (those roads!) and to fund larger scale projects (e.g., recreation center, multi-use facility). This tool allows us to thrive when legislators do not choose the projects important to us. The bond program is pegged at the mil levy rate of 2019, with the expectation that taxes will not further rise. We repaired the long term funding structure for tax savings and financial stability/consistency/ratings.
The Village has also successfully issued the full amount of the Farmland/Open Space bond approved by 80% of voters in 2018 and used the money to conserve approximately 25 acres of land.
The pandemic brought challenges to our Village, but we managed to stay afloat and even increase its Gross Revenue Taxes. The Village was able to take full advantage of American Rescue Plan monies and distributed the full amount to our local businesses. Also, the Village was able to use those funds to defray personnel and equipment costs.
Planning and Zoning:
Corrales has seen a large uptick in requests for building permits. The Village now has an expanded Planning & Zoning Department, with positions for a Planning and Zoning Director, a Building Official, a Compliance Officer and a Planning Permit Technician. The addition of a dedicated Compliance Officer has had many positive results, including a large increase in voluntary resolutions of property issues. In another improvement, the Village is currently working on a contractual agreement with the City of Rio Rancho to provide a sustainable process to effectuate inspections and permits.
Infrastructure Improvements:
The Village has completed numerous infrastructure improvements. Most notable:
- Meadowlark Lane repaving and drain improvements
- Completion of Public Works Building
- Completion Corrales Fire Department kitchen and sleeping loft improvements
- Construction of Planning & Zoning/Animal Control Building
- Remodel of Corrales Police Department
- Re-roofing of Corrales Courthouse
- Re-flooring of Senior Center, Administration Building and Police Department
- New air filtration systems in numerous municipal buildings
- Enhanced audio technology for Council Chambers
- Installation of VFW Memorial in La Entrada Park
- ADA improvements to Recreation Center and Community Center
- Ongoing improvements to public roads, including repaving of Angel Road
- Loma Larga paving improvements
- Extension of Corrales Fire Department water suppression line
- Construction plans for Phase 1 of Corrales Pedestrian Access Route (PAR)
- Bosque maintenance balance habitat preservation with fire safety
- Wastewater system improvements
- Enhanced security in Administration Building
- Completion of Salce Basin FEMA flood control project
- Worked collaboratively with Intel for its trail redesign to reduce flooding
- Tree planting project in Bosque
- Glass Recycling Pilot Program, and
- Thompson Fence line/Sagebrush bicycle and pedestrian trail connection.
From Community volunteers (with assist from Public Works and Parks and Recreation) :
- Pickleball courts
- Pollinator garden south of Corrales Community Library
- Improved landscaping in Administration Complex
- New flooring in Old Church
New Mexico Department of Transportation:
- Repaving of Corrales Road
- Designation of crosswalks
- Striping of crosswalks along Corrales Road
Projects in Progress:
- Phase 2 Meadowlark Trail
- Reconstructions of Administrative Parking Lot
- Improved audio system in Council Chambers
- Signage for Administrative Complex and other municipal facilities
- Cabezon trail connection
- Recreation Center improvements
- Multi-use facility at Municipal Quadrangle
- Continuation of fire suppression line
- Placement of no vehicular traffic signs in Bosque
- Remodel of Administration Building (bathrooms, conference and break room)
- Rehabilitation and upgrade of Administrative parking lot
- Conceptual plans for multi-use center at Jones Property
- Plans for Interior Drain improvement project and MOU with MRGCD.
Interface with Business/MainStreet:
Especially in the State of New Mexico, with the limitations of the Anti-donation clause, Corrales must be creative in the ways it can support and encourage business. The Village was able to distribute ARP monies successfully and has forged a strong relationship with the new Executive Director of Corrales MainStreet and its hardworking Board (visitcorrales.com).
Cooperative efforts with other agencies and municipalities:
Although Corrales is an independent municipality, the Village acts cooperatively with other agencies to expand our resources and effectiveness. Here are a few examples:
1. Wireless internet connection from ABQ for student use during pandemic
2. Cooperation with Rio Rancho for snow removal during emergencies; MOU for sustainable permit services
3. Ongoing collaboration with Southern Sandoval County Arroyo Flood Control Authority (SSCAFCA)
4. Resource sharing with Los Ranchos Agri-Tourism initiative
5. Meetings with Sandoval Economic Alliance
6. Active participation with New Mexico Municipal League
7. Collaboration with Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District (and related agencies)
8. Expert help from Mid-Region Council of Governments
9. Interaction with various state agencies, including State Engineer and Department of Finance.
Animal Control:
- Designed and built new quarters for personnel and animals
- Cooperative agreement with Animal Humane New Mexico for quality care for stray animals
- New equipment and expanded enclosure.
COVID-19 Health and Welfare:
- Ongoing pandemic education
- Apply, receive and distribute pandemic ARA funds
- Standing up vaccine pod/clinics
Please join me in thanking the staff and volunteers who keep the Village thriving. They are definitely up to the exciting possibilities (and inevitable frustrations) that await us all in 2022.
Jo Anne Roake
Mayor of Corrales