A group that has been working toward incorporating a large chunk of Albuquerque’s South Valley into it’s own city have announced they’ve chosen a name for the future city: Valle de Atrisco.

According to the Albuquerque Journal, the group held a “Name That Town” campaign during the last month to come up with the name. According to state Rep. Miguel Garcia, D-Albuquerque, “Valle de Atrisco” was the most popular candidate.

The South Valley Incorporation Advisory group is also working on a petition in support of the proposal, and a census of the area. Here are some of the next steps that have to be undertaken, in addition to settling on the boundaries of the proposed new city:

* Granting Authority: State law requires any new incorporation within 5 miles of a municipality of population greater than 5,000 must obtain approval from that town. An advisory group has contacted Albuquerque city councilors and found some support. Two are willing to sponsor the legislation.

* Petition: The town name and its proposed boundaries must be defined, signed by at least 200 qualified voters.

* One the petition is filed, Bernalillo County would have 30 days to determine the validity of signatures, check requirements and order a census.

* Census: Rep Garcia, in the 2008 legislative session, secured $50,000 for a census and $38,000 for a mail-in ballot election.

* Election: Within 15 days upon receipt of the census, if all conditions have been met, the county orders an election.