Affordability for Homeowners, Veterans and Seniors!
One of Assessor Damian Lara’s first efforts after taking office as Bernalillo County Assessor was to improve appraisal accuracy based on a core value, “When everyone pays their fair share the tax burden is shared, not shifted.” As a result, a new tax entity was added, and residential homeowners got a tax break.
Mil rates — which form the basis of our property taxes — have gone down in five entities within the most common district in Bernalillo County and City of Albuquerque. The taxing entities are as follows: State of New Mexico, Bernalillo, City of Albuquerque, Albuquerque Public Schools, UNM Hospital, Central Community College, Albuquerque Metropolitan Arroyo Flood Control Authority, Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District, and Ciudad Soil-Water Conservation District.
These reductions are a testament to Assessor Lara’s work because up-to-date and accurate appraisals mean taxing entities can reduce their mill rates and still maintain their approved operating budgets.
Veterans’ Expanded Exemptions
Each of Bernalillo County’s more than 26,000 veterans who are property owners is entitled to expanded property tax savings, a program Assessor Lara championed at the State Legislature. Veterans, who had been receiving the standard $4,000 exemption, have been transferred to the new exemption amount of $10,000. Those changes went into effect in 2025 and were reflected on the that year’s tax bills. We also established increased percentage exemptions for veterans who have service-related disabilities.
Success in Bernalillo County
Accurate valuations also support neighborhood revitalization across Bernalillo County. Assessor Lara’s team took a new look at things like abandoned buildings, boarded up houses, and problem lots. They placed valuations that reflect the best potential use for these properties. As a result, property owners invested in their properties or sold them to someone who did. Over 50 properties across the county have become true success stories!
Supporting Our Farmers and Ranchers!
Assessor Lara secured a grant to hire an executive fellow from FUSE, a national nonprofit that supports local governments, then partnered with FUSE to preserve agricultural land and expand access to land-based agricultural opportunities across the county. This is an essential effort to protect cultural heritages, support local food systems, and advance access to land-based economic opportunities. In addition, farmers’ markets, food banks, and schools benefit from locally grown fruits and vegetables.
Accuracy in Assessments
Assessor Lara conducted a 15-year case study of property values affected by crime, homelessness and drugs. It revealed that current property valuations in Bernalillo County are fair, accurate, and in line with challenges facing all areas of the county. The Bernalillo County Market Sales and Sales Ratio studies already take neighborhood conditions into account. Assessor Lara presented the study at the International Association of Assessing Officers and discussed how such investigations can provide a complete picture of a jurisdiction’s valuations.
For Workers and Union Members
Assessor Lara created 10 more union positions with higher pay rates and pushed for increased incentive pay for all employees, including union members, who become State Certified Appraisers. The resulting increase in expertise across the office staff has resulted in more fair and equitable assessments for all property owners. The retention rates are also higher. While the Office of the Assessor is budgeted for 138 full time equivalate positions, there were only 85 employees when Assessor Lare was elected. Over the last three years there has been a net gain of 22 employees.
Beyond Being Your Assessor!
Assessor Lara has been elected to leadership positions by his colleagues and peers at the state, national and international levels. He was elected for the third time as the NM Counties Assessors’ Affiliate Vice-Chair, with the main responsibility to advocate for property owners, especially homeowners. As part of his activities, he advocated for a state constitutional amendment to increase the head-of-family exemption for primary residences to make first-time home buying more affordable. The increase will also help families upsize as they grow and empty nesters to downsize without the huge impact of going to current and correct, sometimes referred to as tax lighting or welcome to the neighborhood tax.
Accessor Lara will continue to advocate for equitable disclosure and an increase in the head of family exemption for primary residence. All homeowners are required to disclose to the County Assessor the sale and purchase price of their homes, but large corporations like Amazon and Walmart are not held to the same standard. These commercial property buyers and sellers do not have to disclose to the county assessor the sale and purchase price of their commercial property. This unfair and disparate treatment means homeowners unduly pick up the property tax burden of critical County and City services.
The head of family hasn’t increased sine 1993. If simply indexed for inflation $2,000, in today’s dollars would be almost $4,500. Assessor Lara has advocated for a head of family exemption increase that would be applied only to the primary residence of homeowners. The change would require a constitutional amendment.
National Association of Counties Recognition
Assessor Lara was appointed to the Environment, Energy & Land Use Policy Steering Committee of the National Association of Counties, as well as chair of the Land Use Subcommittee. And, because of his immigration background and expertise at the federal, state and local levels, he was also appointed to the Advisory Council on Immigration and Intergovernmental Affairs.
International Association of Assessing Officers
Assessor Lara is also the first New Mexico member on the Board of Directors of the International Association of Assessing Officers (IAAO),, which represents Assessing Officers worldwide. The organization brings established standards, fairness, and equity to assessors across the globe. New Mexico statutes require all county assessors to follow the IAAO industry standard, unless conflicting with state statute.