By Jesse Jones — A new proposed City Council ordinance, O-26-16, known as the Community Enhancement Municipal Gross Receipts Tax and sponsored by Councilors Joaquín Baca and Brook Bassan and Mayor Tim Keller’s administration, would raise the city’s gross receipts tax (GRT), a local sales tax on goods and services, by .4875% — generating an estimated $119 million for new buildings and pay staff pay raises, sponsors say.
That would increase the total rate from 7.625% to 8.113% and place Albuqeurque among the top-tier of cities by total tax rate and above nearby Santa Fe (8.1875%) and Rio Rancho (7.4375%).
According to the ordinance, the revenue would pay for buildings, infrastructure and equipment, cover debt payments and fund the day-to-day work of city facilities. It would also help address employee pay gaps identified in a city compensation study and give the city flexibility to reduce fees for pools, golf courses and recreation programs…