Under a public health order issued by Acting Health Secretary David R. Scrase, M.D., the re-implemented mask requirement applies to all individuals aged 2 and older in all indoor public settings — except when eating or drinking.

Masks will be required to everyone in school buildings regardless of vaccination status, which aligns with the most recent guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Public Education Department has been in the process of updating its toolkit for schools and district personnel.

The indoor mask requirement will be effective Friday, Aug. 20. It will remain in effect until at least September 15. The governor, acting upon the counsel and analysis of the state Medical Advisory Team and state health officials, may decide to extend or lift the requirement as necessary.

Businesses, houses of worship and other entities may enact stricter requirements at their discretion.

Clerk Linda Stover announces the start of in-person absentee voting and the mailing of absentee ballots for the Nov. 2 election.

Starting Oct. 5, the Clerk’s Office will begin mailing absentee ballots to those who have requested them. For individuals who haven’t requested an absentee ballot and would like to vote absentee, there are three ways to do it. They can fill out an application on BerncoVotes.org and submit it online, they can download the application, fill it out mail it in, or can call 505-243-VOTE (8683) to request an application. The last day to request an absentee ballot for the regular local election is Oct. 28.

Citizens may register to vote at the Clerk’s Annex located at 1500 Lomas NW in Albuquerque. Please bring a current and valid photo ID, a current utility bill, student identification card or other government document, that shows the registrant’s name and current address.

The Clerk’s Annex will be open for in-person absentee voting Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Oct. 5 through, Oct.15, 2021.

Contact your Bernalillo County Clerk’s Office at 505-243-VOTE (8683) or clerk@bernco.gov. Visit BerncoVotes.org and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

The 2021 property abstract, for all real and personal property subject to property taxation, has been signed by Bernalillo County Assessor Tanya R. Giddings. The abstract is derived from the tax schedule produced by the Office of the Assessor, and it shows the valuation of the different kinds of property valued by the assessor, the taxable values, exemptions allowed and the net taxable values. The abstract of the tax schedule that gets sent to the state Property Tax Division on Oct. 1, also includes property valued by the state Property Tax Division. These values are based upon market conditions as of Jan. 1, 2021.

The tax schedule contains the legal description of property in the county and its location; the property owner name and address and any person or entity other than the owner to whom the tax bill will be sent to; the value of the property determined for ad valorem purposes; the tax ratio; the taxable value of the property, which is one-third of the full value of the property by state statute; the net taxable value of the property after any deduction that a property owner filed and qualified for in the current tax year; any exemption or special method allowed; the allocations of net taxable value to the governmental units; the tax rate in dollars per thousand of net taxable value for all taxes imposed on the property; the amount of taxes due on the described property; and the amount of any penalties and interest already imposed and due on the property.

The totals below represent real property, manufactured homes, livestock and business personal property accounts. Centrally assessed property as valued by the Property Tax Division is included in these totals.

• Total assessed value: $22.4 billon
• Total net taxable value: $18.4 billon
• Total parcel count: 275,309

The Assessor’s Office recommends that property owners carefully review all of the information on their notice of value statement that gets mailed to them in the spring from the Office of the Assessor and take the opportunity to apply for any applicable tax saving benefits. Visit bernco.gov/assessor or call 505-222-3700 for more information. continue reading....

Bernalillo County will be hosting the 2021 Sugar Skull 5k fun run/walk on Sunday, Oct. 24 beginning at 9 a.m. at the National Hispanic Cultural Center, 1701 Fourth St. SW.

Race registration is $40 per person, age 8 and up. On race day, cost of registration is $50 per person. Children 7-years-old and younger can participate for free. No registration required.

Dia de los Muertos themed attire is encouraged, but not required.

Registration fee includes the coveted Sugar Skull Fun Run t-shirt; however, because early registration has passed, t-shirts are no longer guaranteed for registrants.

Registration packet pick-up is Friday, Oct. 22 and Saturday, Oct. 23 from 1 – 6 p.m. at Sports Systems, 6915 Montgomery NE, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87109.

The annual fun run benefits the Bernalillo County Quality of Life Fund.

The BernCo Quality of Life Community Fund supports responsible and effective philanthropy to enrich community wellness, and social and cultural experiences of Bernalillo County residents and visitors. In partnership with the New Mexico Community Foundation, the fund allows the Bernalillo County business community and local residents to support art and cultural experiences, support agricultural partnerships, access to health food, support animal care and public safety initiatives, open space, and recreational opportunities.

Register here.