Mayor Richard Berry’s administration now acknowledges that it should have sought City Council approval before launching a plan to boost BioPark admission prices and use the money to tackle a maintenance backlog. John Soladay, Albuquerque’s chief operations officer, said the city budget ordinance requires a council-approved “appropriation” before proceeds from the fee increase can be spent. The administration had originally contended it didn’t need council approval for the plan, which Berry says is necessary to repair the BioPark and avoid laying off maintenance workers. The position change was disclosed this week after City Councilor Ken Sanchez demanded to know what authority the mayor had to change the fees unilaterally. He and Councilor Debbie O’Malley are proposing to roll back part of the fee hike. “I’m not sure who dropped the ball on their end,” Sanchez said, “but they should have read what’s required.” Soladay says the higher fees — $10 for basic admission, rather than $7 — will remain in place until the council takes formal action, probably next month. The administration, he maintains, has authority to set the admission prices. It just can’t spend revenue from the increase without council approval, Soladay said.
ABQ council to weigh in on zoo fees
Mayor Richard Berry’s administration now acknowledges that it should have sought City Council approval before launching a plan to boost BioPark admission prices and use the money to tackle a maintenance backlog. John Soladay, Albuquerque’s chief operations officer, said the city budget ordinance requires a council-approved “appropriation” before proceeds from the fee increase can be spent. The administration had originally contended it didn’t need council approval for the plan, which Berry says is necessary to repair the BioPark and avoid laying off maintenance workers. The position change was disclosed this week after City Councilor Ken Sanchez demanded to know what authority the mayor had to change the fees unilaterally. He and Councilor Debbie O’Malley are proposing to roll back part of the fee hike. “I’m not sure who dropped the ball on their end,” Sanchez said, “but they should have read what’s required.” Soladay says the higher fees — $10 for basic admission, rather than $7 — will remain in place until the council takes formal action, probably next month. The administration, he maintains, has authority to set the admission prices. It just can’t spend revenue from the increase without council approval, Soladay said.
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