By Kevin Hendricks, The Paper.
Rio Rancho’s Governing Body will decide Thursday whether to expand its Axon technology contract to nearly $4.4 million over 90 months, adding 25 more body cameras, AI-assisted translation and virtual reality use-of-force training to the police department’s toolkit.
The council meets at 6 p.m. Thursday in the Council Chambers, with the Axon deal among several big-ticket items on a packed agenda that also includes new water wells, a townhome subdivision and a budget bump tied to the city’s speed camera program.
Axon expansion
The proposed deal rolls the department’s existing TASER, body camera and Fusus real-time crime center contracts into one agreement and grows the camera fleet from 150 to 175 units, according to the city’s staff report. It also adds “Auto Tagging” software to link evidence to case files automatically, an AI translation tool for officer-resident communication, and VR scenario training for crisis intervention and de-escalation.
The city says the negotiated price, purchased through a Sourcewell cooperative contract, comes in 28% below list — a savings of about $1.66 million over the life of the deal.
New townhomes near La Plazuela
Developers are seeking site plan approval for 32 townhomes on 2.7 acres at 7200 Hapsburg Road NE, just north of a 216-unit apartment complex already under construction. City staff found the project meets a 2009 legal settlement capping density in the area and recommended approval, though they flagged unresolved questions about tree spacing and whether a proposed playground can be built inside a drainage pond area.
Water wells and other business
Separately, the council will consider nearly $1.24 million combined to rehabilitate two aging city wells — Well 7 near Abrazo Road and Unser Boulevard, and Well 15 near Mariposa Parkway — replacing worn motors and pumps to keep water flowing to city customers.
On the consent calendar, staff are asking for a $96,245 budget adjustment to cover rising review costs in the city’s automated speed camera program, which expanded to NM 528 in June. The city says the increase is fully covered by citation revenue, not taxpayer funds. Councilors will also formally close the books on two Rio Rancho Estates lot-width variance appeals they already denied last month, and sign off on a $10,000 DWI-enforcement grant from Sandoval County.
Rio Rancho Governing Body Regular Meeting
- When: Thursday, Aug. 27, 6 p.m.
- Where: Council Chambers, in person or streamed live at rrnm.gov/2303/Watch-and-Download-City-Meetings
- Zoom: Meeting ID 833 3815 7719, Passcode 554297
- Phone: +1 720-707-2699
- Public comment: Register with the City Clerk in person at least 15 minutes before the meeting starts to speak on agenda items or during Public Forum