Berry says balancing city budget tough

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - Hundreds of family, friends, supporters and fellow city workers gathered Tuesday evening to watch Richard Berry be sworn-in as Albuquerque's new mayor.

During his first address as mayor, Berry thanked the crowd for their support before quickly turning the focus of his speech to his priorities. The mayor didn't mince words when talking about the city's budget crisis.

"These challenges for the new administration will require an innovative approach," Berry told a crowd of at least 1,000.

Then he listed what needs to happen to balance the budget.

"Collaboration with city councilors, a shared willingness to make some meaningful changes, and frankly, some sacrifices," he said in the main ballroom of the Albuquerque Convention Center.

Earlier in the day the new mayor held a full staff meeting telling his department heads to spend the taxpayers money "as if it was your own." He also pointed out that his administration has already cut $500,000 in salaries.

"We have a half-million dollars in savings just with the department directors and some of the people in the mayor's office," Berry told KRQE News 13 in a one-on-one interview. "We're trying to set the example for other departments by running as lean a government as we can and really try to provide a great value to the taxpayer."

Beyond his fiscal priorities, Berry promised his administration will welcome new business to the city and will get tough on crime.