Garnett S. Stokes, President - The University of New Mexico Board of Regents | University of New Mexico
Garnett S. Stokes, President - The University of New Mexico Board of Regents | University of New Mexico
Voters in Bernalillo County are set to decide on whether to continue funding the University of New Mexico Hospital through a mill levy. This investment accounts for approximately 10% of the hospital's budget and is crucial for its operations and maintenance.
The UNM Hospital was established in 1952 when the Bureau of Indian Affairs donated land for its construction. Since then, Bernalillo County has placed a mill levy on the ballot every eight years, with voters consistently supporting it for over seven decades.
A mill levy functions as a property tax, calculated at $1 per $1,000 of taxable property value. The funds collected support not only UNM Hospital but also other local institutions such as the City of Albuquerque, Albuquerque Public Schools, and Central New Mexico Community College. Notably, continuing this mill levy does not increase taxes but maintains critical healthcare services unique to New Mexico.
The mill levy supports various operational aspects at UNM Hospital. As New Mexico’s largest teaching hospital and sole Level-I Trauma Center with a dedicated children’s hospital, it requires substantial resources. The funds cover food services, supply maintenance, cleaning, cybersecurity, patient transportation, security measures, and interpreter services available round-the-clock in over 200 languages.
UNM Hospital's leadership and community engagement team have conducted "Community Listening Sessions" across county districts over the past year and a half. These sessions gathered community feedback which informed a Community Health Needs Assessment. “During our community listening sessions," said Becker from UNM Hospital leadership. "Participants were asked about their experiences with the health care system in general and were offered the opportunity to share what programs and/or services they would like UNM Hospital to focus on to improve their health care experiences.” The insights from these discussions guide leadership decisions regarding mill levy fund allocation.
The decision on extending this funding will be one of the last items on this year's ballot. A vote in favor will secure an additional eight years of financial support for UNM Hospital’s ongoing service to Bernalillo County residents and beyond.
For further details on how the mill levy affects individuals or communities within Bernalillo County, information is available online.
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