BERNALILLO COUNTY
ABOUT MY COUNTY
ACTIVITY BOOK
PRESENTED BY: LINDA STOVER BERNALILLO COUNTY CLERK
2023 EDITION
Dear Educators and Parents,
Bernalillo County Government is proud to present the “About My County Activity Book”
for children. This book is designed to introduce students to the responsibilities of their
county government and the important role Bernalillo County plays in their everyday lives.
Counties are one of America’s oldest forms of government dating back to 1634 when the
first county governments (known as Shires) were established in Virginia.
The organization and structure of today’s 3,069 United States county governments are
chartered under state constitutions and are tailored to meet the unique needs of each state
and local area.
No two counties are exactly the same. In Alaska, counties are called boroughs. In
Louisiana, they’re known as parishes. But in every state, county governments exist to serve
the public and help communities thrive.
We hope this activity book brings to life the leadership and fundamental duties of our
county government. We encourage students, parents and educators to invite their county
officials to participate first hand in these lessons and share the roles they play in your
community.
It is never too early for children to start learning about civics and how they can help make
their community a better place to live, work and play.
Please visit www
.naco.org for more information on why counties matter and our efforts to
advance healthy, vibrant, safe counties across the United States.
To learn more about Bernalillo County visit our website at www
.bernco.gov or follow us on
social media.
Linda Stover
County Clerk
Bernalillo County
1
INTRODUCTIONS AND FUN FACTS
BernCo Bernie
Did you know that you don’t just live in
the city of Albuquerque, Los Ranchos de
Albuquerque or the Village of Tijeras, you
live in Bernalillo County?
I am the spokessheep for Bernalillo County. Throughout this book I
will tell you fun facts about Bernalillo County.
BERNIE
FUN FACT
BERNIE
FUN FACT
A county is a unit of government, and it
works to serve you everyday!
Bernalillo County is 1 of 33 counties in
the state of New Mexico.
BERNIE
FUN FACT
2
THE COUNTY SEAT
Just like you have a home, so does your county government. Yo ur county
government’s home is the called the county seat. This city or town is where you
will usually find the county courthouse.
What county do you live in?__________________________
Where is your county seat?___________________________
Our family has several homes that we live in just like most families, but we recently
moved into a larger house so that more of our Bernalillo County family can live
together. Many of the people and departments you’ll learn about in this book live in
our new building called Bernalillo County @ Alvarado Square.
BERNIE
FUN FACT
No two counties are exactly the same.
Some aren’t even called counties they are
called parishes or boroughs instead.
Bernalillo County has had 3 county seats
throughout its history.
1. 1849 – 1854 was the Town of Bernalillo
2. 1854 - 1883 was Ranchos de Albuquerque
3. 1883 – current is Albuquerque
BERNIE
FUN FACT
3
THE COUNTY SEAL
There are 3,069 counties across the United States. That’s a lot! Each county has a
unique seal. You might see it in the courthouse, on a webpage, waving on the
county flag, or stamped on important documents. The seal is a symbol that means
whatever you’re looking at is part of your county’s government. Special colors and
pictures decorate the seal to show what’s unique or important to your county.
Can you color
the Bernalillo
County seal?
Bernalillo County’s seal has eight sheep to represent
the seven Spanish and one Mexican land grants that
originally made up Bernalillo County.
BERNIE
FUN FACT
What special colors or pictures are in Bernalillo County’s seal?
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
Why do you think Bernalillo County chose those? ______________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
4
ABOUT
BERNALILLO COUNTY
Bernalillo County is located in the central part of the state. It is one of the smallest
geographical counties in the state of New Mexico, but it has the highest population
of all New Mexico counties.
Bernalillo County is separated into five districts. These are called commission
districts.
Let’s color each commission
district a different color!
Bernalillo County
5
WHO WORKS FOR YOU?
The people running your county’s government are called elected officials. Elected
means that the people in your county voted to say they wanted these leaders to be in
charge of your county’s government. One day, you’ll get to vote for your county’s
elected officials.
Bernalillo County is run by a Board of County Commissioners. Voters elect a
commissioner to represent each of the five districts in Bernalillo County.
The commissioners have a very important job. They are responsible for making
laws and decisions for your county. They also decide how the county will collect
and spend taxpayers’ money. Their primary goal is to take care of their community.
WHO RUNS YOUR COUNTY?
Who are your county commissioners?
District 1 - _______________________
District 2 - _______________________
District 3 - _______________________
District 4 - _______________________
District 5 - _______________________
6
Bernalillo County is separated into five districts. These are
called commission districts.
Using the maps below, can you find your county commission district?
7
8
CONSTITUTIONAL OR
ROW OFFICERS
There are five Constitutional or Row Officers in Bernalillo County. They are in
charge of things like keeping track of the county’s money, maintaining public
documents, analyzing property values and protecting county residents.
My name is Nancy
Bearce. I’m the County
Treasurer. I manage the
county’s money.
My name is Linda
Stover. I’m the County
Clerk. I keep important
legal records and
manage elections.
My name is John Allen.
I’m the County Sheriff. I
make sure county
residents are safe and
follow the law.
My name is Damian
Lara. I’m the County
Assessor. I analyze
the value of county
properties.
My name is Cristy
Carbon-Gaul. I’m the
Probate Judge. I help
families claim their
estates.
9
COUNTY TREASURER
The County Treasurer is the banker for Bernalillo County. The Treasurer is
responsible for collecting property taxes for all county properties. After the Treasurer
collects the taxes, they are divided up and sent out to the 14 different taxing agencies.
The Treasurer is considered the fiscal agent for property tax.
The county is the fiscal agent for several agencies. Can
you tell me how the collection of property tax helps
you?_____________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
The chart shows how
many cents of each dollar
go to an agency. Can you
help color the chart?
10
COUNTY ASSESSOR
The Bernalillo County Assessor follows laws created by the New Mexico Legislature
to value property across the county. The Assessor helps determine how much property
owners pay the County Treasurer’s Office.
Hello. My name is
Damian Lara. I am the
Bernalillo County
Assessor.
Let’s color the property below
11
COUNTY CLERK’S OFFICE
The County Clerk is responsible for conducting federal, state, county and school
board elections in Bernalillo County. They also keep record of important documents
like marriage and death certificates, help you apply for your passports and can even
tell you who owns property in your county and the history of those properties.
Your passport is just one of the
services we offer. Can you fill
in your information and draw
your picture below?
___________________________
First Name
___________________________
Last Name
______________
Nationality
__________
Date of Birth
Why is the Clerk’s Office important to county
residents? Why might it be important to people that
don’t live in your county? _______________________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
12
COURT OF WILLS,
E
STATES AND PROBATE
Probate is the legal process that takes place after someone dies. The Probate Judge
reviews and determines if a person’s will is valid. The Probate Judge appoints a
person to inventory the person’s property; pays any remaining debt or taxes; and
then distributes the remaining property as the will or state law directs.
A will is a document that tells the court how you want your personal belongings and
property distributed after you pass away.
Can you help me
by circling the
items that should
be included in
your will?
Pets
Kids
Beneficiary
CARBON-GAUL
13
The Sheriff’s Department
teaches the D.A.R.E
program at schools. Can
you tell me what D.A.R.E
stands for?
SHERIFF’S OFFICE
The Sheriff is responsible for the protection of life and property; resolution of conflict;
creating and maintaining a feeling of security in the community; and reducing the
opportunities to commit crime. It is part of our responsibility to provide for a quality of
life in our community.
Can you color the
Sheriff’s car?
14
COUNTY MANAGER’S OFFICE
The County Manager oversees the daily activities for all county
divisions. Those divisions are:
• Public Safety
• Metropolitan Detention Center - Jail
• Public Works
• Finance
• General Services
• Community Services
The County Manager also directly oversees the following
departments:
• Behavioral Health
• Economic Development
• Human Resources
Hello. My name is
Julie Morgas Baca.
I am the Bernalillo
County Manager.
The County Manager is hired by the Board of County Commissioners to carry out
policies and serve as the Chief Administrative Officer of county government.
15
ACROSS
4. This division helps maintain the roads that we drive on.
6.
T
his division manages the county's money.
7.
T
his department reports directly to the County Manager and helps people who struggle
with mental illness or drug and alcohol addiction.
8. This department reports directly to the County Manager and is responsible for creating
jobs in Bernalillo County.
9.
I
f you have a fire or medical emergency this division will help you.
DOWN
1. This division provides many services to county residents, including parks and youth
pr
ograms.
2. This division is responsible for the business conducted with Bernalillo County.
3. This department reports directly to the County Manager and is responsible for hiring
county employees.
5. If you break the law you will get sent to the Metropolitan Detention Center which, is also
known as the county _____.
Divisions and Departments that Report
Directly to the County Manager
Complete the crossword by using the names of the divisions and
departments that the County Manager oversees.
16
PUBLIC SAFETY DIVISION
The Public Safety Division is always working for you. They make sure citizens
stay safe and follow the law. The sheriff, fire, Emergency Communications, juvenile
detention center, Animal Care Services and the Office of Emergency Management
and Homeland Security make up the Public Safety Division.
What is the most important service the Public Safety
Division provides? Why do you think so?________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
17
FIRE DEPARTMENT
Hello. I am the
Bernalillo
County Fire
Chief.
The Bernalillo County Fire Department was created in 1958 and has grown from a
single station department to 12 fire stations where more than 250 firefighters and
medical personnel live while they are at work. Firefighters are there to help you
24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The Fire Department will help you if there is a fire, a
medical emergency or even a car crash. They can even come to your school and show
you their big trucks and teach you about fire safety.
Do you know what color Bernalillo
County fire trucks are? Color the fire
truck.
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
Can you
color the fire
truck?
18
EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS
Emergency Communications is the department that answers the phone when you
call 9-1-1. That person is referred to as a dispatcher. Dispatchers are the ones
responsible for getting important information from the caller and sending it to the
Sheriff’s Department or the Fire Department so they can get to your emergency as
quickly as possible.
It is important that you are able to answer certain questions in an
emergency. Can you answer the dispatcher’s questions below?
Give us an example of what you
would call 9-1-1 for? ___________
_____________________________
_____________________________
_____________________________
It is very important that you only call 9-1-1 in a real emergency. When someone is
really sick or hurt badly, there is a fire, or someone is in danger. Here are examples
of when you would call 9-1-1:
• If mom or dad is really sick and can’t wake up.
• If you see or smell smoke inside your house and there is not an adult home
or you cannot find an adult.
• If someone is breaking into your house.
• If someone is following you home from school.
19
MORE ABOUT EMERGENCY
COMMUNICATIONS
The dispatcher needs to know
your number in case you get
disconnected and they need to
call you back. What is your
phone number? ______________
____________________________
It is important to know where you
are at all times. Can you tell the
dispatcher where you are right
now?
_____________________________
_____________________________
_____________________________
Emergencies can happen anywhere. Try to learn the addresses of places you often
visit such as:
• Grandma’s house
• Aunts, uncles and cousins houses
• Friends houses
You can also help the dispatcher find where you are by looking around you and
telling them what you see such as:
• Street signs
• Nearby stores, buildings or businesses
• Nearby parks or community centers
20
The dispatcher needs to know
who they are speaking with.
Can you tell the dispatcher your
first and last name? _________
___________________________
___________________________
The dispatcher needs as much
information about the emergency
as possible. Can you tell the
dispatcher details about your
emergency? Be very specific.
_____________________________
_____________________________
_____________________________
_____________________________
MORE ABOUT EMERGENCY
COMMUNICATIONS
Dispatch needs your name so that they can provide it to the emergency responders
so they know who they are there to help.
The dispatcher needs detailed information so they can provide the most accurate
information to the emergency responders.
Other questions they may ask are:
• How old are you?
• What school do you go to?
• What are your parents’ name(s)
The dispatcher will stay on the phone with you the entire time until the appropriate
emergency responder arrives. In an emergency, you are never alone.
21
METROPOLITAN DETENTION CENTER
The Metropolitan Detention Center is a place that you never want to go unless it is for
your job. The Metropolitan Detention Center is the county jail. It houses individuals
who are accused of breaking the law or found guilty by a court of law for committing a
crime.
Hello, I am the
warden of the
Metropolitan
Detention Center.
Solve the equation to answer the riddle below.
22
ANIMAL CARE SERVICES
Animal Care Services provides services and programs that such as education and
training classes for people and animals as well as youth camps. The Animal Care
and Resource Center provides a home for many animals who are lost or do not have
homes. Animal Care Services also makes sure your pets have the proper
vaccinations and licenses, and ensures your pets are spayed and neutered in
accordance with county and city laws.
ACROSS
1. You put my lunch and dinner in this container.
3. A pet doctor.
8. I am one of the smartest animals on the planet. My intelligence ranks higher than a dogs.
9. I can sleep both lying down and standing up.
10. You should always use this when walking your pet.
12. I am covered in feathers, lay eggs and cluck.
DOWN
2. This keeps me hydrated.
4. This vaccine helps keep me safe from a viral disease carried by rabid animals.
5. The process of giving a homeless animal a forever home.
6. A medical procedure to prevent a male animal from having babies.
7. My whiskers help me “see” in the dark.
11. A medical procedure to prevent a female animal from having babies.
12. I have a flexible body and teeth adapted for hunting small animals such as mice.
What might you see at Animal Care?
23
PUBLIC WORKS DIVISION
I am the Deputy
County Manager for
Public Works
You probably came to school today on the school bus, or maybe you
rode in a car, walked, or biked. The Public Works Division manages
something we all use everyday: The roads! And they do a lot more than
that. Follow the trucks to learn what else they maintain.
Roads and Bridges
Public Buildings
Solid Waste
The Operations and Maintenance
Department provides and maintains
roadways, traffic lights, and fixes and
cleans county streets and storm drains.
The Fleet and Facilities Department
provides building maintenance, new
building construction and repairs to
existing buildings, and repairs county
vehicles.
The Solid Waste program picks
up the trash at your house.
Let’s color
the trucks!
24
MORE ABOUT
PUBLIC WORKS
Can you help the Deputy
County Manager of Public
Works find his trucks? With
your pencil, draw a line
through the maze.
Start Here
How have you benefited from the Public Works Division today?
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
25
FINANCE DIVISION
If you get an allowance every week, you may already know a little about what the
Finance Division does. They look after the county’s money and track how much
money the county spends and collects each year. The Finance Division also makes
sure other county departments have the money they need to serve residents. And,
they check very carefully to see if the county’s money is used wisely.
The Finance Division also oversees the department that fixes our phones and
computers so the county can stay in touch with its customers.
Solve the equation
to answer the
riddle.
“What is the Head of the Finance
Division’s favorite class?
Your county needs money to operate. How do you think your county spends
the money it collects? ______________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
Hello. I am the Deputy
County Manager for
Finance.
26
GENERAL SERVICES DIVISION
The General Services Division is responsible for a variety of services. They ensure
that the county is spending taxpayer money efficiently when buying goods and
services for the county. They are also the ones who make the street signs that you
see on the roads, in parks and on some county buildings. One of the departments
that lies within the General Services Division is responsible for making sure all
county employees work safely while doing their jobs by conducting inspections on
tools and county equipment.
How might the General Services
Division work with other county
departments to provide services to
residents? _______________________
________________________________
________________________________
________________________________
________________________________
Can you help me
make a building
sign? Use the color
codes to complete
the sign.
1. Gold or Tan
2. Dark blue
3. Light blue
Westside Community Center
1250 Isleta Blvd. SW
1
2
2
3
Hello. I am the
Deputy County
Manager for
General Services.
27
BIG AND SMALL COUNTIES OF
NEW MEXICO
These are the 33 counties in New
Mexico. They are ordered largest to
smallest in population. Find each
county’s name in the word search.
United States Census Bureau. B01001 SEX BY AGE, 2020 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey
Office. Web. 14 April 2023. http://www.census.gov/.
Bernalillo – 676,444
Dona Ana – 219,561
Santa Fe – 154,823
Sandoval – 148,834
San Juan – 121,661
Valencia-76,205
McKinley –310,229
Lea – 74,455
Chaves – 65,157
Otero- -67,839
Eddy – 62,314
Curry – 48,430
Rio Arriba – 40,363
Taos – 34,489
Grant – 28,185
San Miguel – 27,201
Cibola – 27,172
Luna – 25,427
Lincoln – 20,269
Roosevelt – 19,191
Los Alamos – 19,419
Socorro – 16,595
Torrance – 15,045
Colfax – 12,387
Sierra – 11,576
Quay – 8,746
Mora – 4,189
Hidalgo – 4,178
Guadalupe – 4,452
Union – 4,079
Catron – 3,579
De Baca – 1,698
Harding - 657
Big counties are hard to miss and small counties are hard to find.
Choose a large and small county. Can you find a few interesting
facts about each county?___________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
28
COMMUNITY SERVICES DIVISION
The Community Services Division includes:
• Parks and Recreation
• Senior and Social Services
• H
ousing
• Planning and Development Services
• Office of Community Engagement and Outreach
C
ommunity Services is also the county division that
supports the ABC Community School Partnership.
Hello. I am the
Deputy County
Manager for
Community Services.
Use the color codes to complete the picture
29
SENIOR AND SOCIAL SERVICES
The Office of Senior and Social Services provides meals to elderly people and helps
them stay fit. Your grandparents might visit one of our Community Life Centers to
spend time with friends, eat lunch, listen to music or even do yoga to help with their
strength and balance.
Can you help me
connect the dots to
make the picture?
30
PARKS AND RECREATION
Parks and Recreation is most likely one of the county departments that you would
use the most at your age. Parks and Recreation provides eight community life
centers, 37 parks, four pools, two splash pads, four fitness centers and 12 open
space properties.
Parks and Recreation is also responsible for a variety of youth and adult sports, and
teen programs.
Can you color the different
sports that Parks and
Recreation offer?
31
LAND MANAGEMENT
Land Management is the section of the Parks and Recreation Department that is
responsible for making sure that the parks that you play in stay clean and safe. Land
Management makes sure that the grass stays watered and trimmed and that all of the
trash is removed from the park to ensure you are safe to play.
Can you think of 5
ways you can help
Land Management?
List them below.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
32
HOUSING
The Bernalillo County Housing Department provides safe, sanitary and affordable
housing to families in need.
BERNIE
FUN FACT
The Bernalillo County Housing Department helps more
than 3,600 families with housing every year.
Can you spot the
differences in the picture
below?
33
ABC COMMUNITY SCHOOL
PARTNERSHIP
Draw a picture of
your school. Circle
or label the things
you like best about
your school.
The ABC Community School Partnership is a group of schools that improve
learning through programs that connect students, families, schools and communities.
Community schools listen to students so they have a lot of activities to do after
school such as arts, sports, mentoring, tutoring, gaming and science.
34
MY COUNTY
Draw your
county and
some of the
people who
live and work
there.
Now that you have learned a little about what your
county government does, let’s test your knowledge!
SERVICES MY COUNTY PROVIDES ME
35
GLOSSARY
County Seat: the town or city that houses the county government.
Seal: an emblem, figure, symbol or word used as evidence of authenticity.
Elected Official: a county leader elected by the people. Elected officials may be called
commissioners, board members, or executives.
Constitutional or Row Officers: elected officials with very specific jobs.
Treasurer: an elected official who manages the county’s money by investing and collecting
taxes.
Fiscal agent: an entity that handles money and reimburses or divides payment of funds to
other agencies or entities.
Assessor: an elected official who determines the value of property for tax purposes.
Clerk: an elected official who keeps important legal records and manages elections.
Will: a legal declaration of a person’s wishes regarding the disposal of his or her property or
estate after death.
Sheriff: an elected official who makes sure county residents follow the law.
County Manager: an administrative official appointed by the Board of Commissioners to
carry out policies and serve as the Chief Administrative Officer.
Public Safety: is a county division that provides fire, medical and detention of youth accused
of criminal activity.
Public Works: is a county division that manages and maintains roads, bridges, county vehicle
maintenance, recycling and graffiti removal.
Finance: is a county division that manages county money by planning, organizing and
accounting for all revenues and expenses.
General Services: is a county division that is responsible for the procurement of goods and
services for the daily business functions of county government.
Community Services: is a county division that provides a variety of services to the
community such as parks, recreation, pools, community centers and health and nutrition
programs.
36
