City of Albuquerque Sees Decrease in IPRA Backlog

ALBUQUERQUE – The Office of the City Clerk announces a reduction in the IPRA (Inspection of Public Records Act) request backlog from approximately 1,500 requests in July to 1,142 requests as of September 30^th. This decrease represents a positive development reflecting the results of the City Clerk’s backlog reduction plan. Although the term ‘backlog’ doesn’t have a consistent definition, for the purposes of the attached report, we define the backlog as any IPRA request that has been open for more than 30 days.

The City’s backlog reduction plan has four key elements: staffing, large requester outreach, process improvement, and records digitization. Each of these components plays an important role in reducing the volume of outstanding records requests. The first quarterly report provides updates on the progress made in each of these areas.

“This reduction in the backlog shows that our focused efforts are paying off,” said City Clerk Ethan Watson. “Our team has worked hard to bring the numbers down, and we’re committed to continuing this progress by further streamlining our processes and handling requests efficiently. Thanks to the support of the Mayor and City Council, we’ve been able to add more staff to help drive this reduction.”

The IPRA Backlog Reduction Plan was launched in response to a rising number of requests older than 30 days, which reached over 1,600 in April 2024. The City Clerk’s Office will continue to monitor and report on the progress of the reduction plan, ensuring that ongoing improvements meet the evolving needs of the public.

To view the 1^st Quarter Report, please visit our website.

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