Albuquerque City Council Approves Mayoral Powers and Funding for Sports Field and Downtown Projects.

Albuquerque City Council has decided against letting voters decide on overhauling the role of mayor and shifting power to a city manager. Sponsors of the change argued it would lead to better decision-making and more qualified people running the city, while Mayor Tim Keller’s Office argued that having an elected mayor in charge ensures better accountability. The measure would have affected Mayor Keller if he sought a third term. Some councilors said they would be open to restructuring the government but felt sending the proposal to voters wasn’t the right way to do it.