By Jesse Jones, The Paper. — A new Albuquerque ordinance hands the mayor power to surge police and city services along commercial corridors, a move supporters call a boost for local business and critics blast as a crackdown on the city’s most vulnerable. On Monday, the Albuquerque City Council voted 6-3 to approve the “Enhanced […]
■ Local Government
Posted in■ Local Government
The Bernalillo County tax civil war: Assessor vs. Treasurer
By Jesse Jones, The Paper. — A legal fight over a short-term rental tax has escalated into a civil war inside the Bernalillo County government — and a Democratic primary battle in the background — pitting top financial officials against each other over millions in tax revenue and allegations of ethical misconduct. The dispute simmering between County […]
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With Mayor Wymer now in office, Rio Rancho seeks applicants to fill his vacant council seat
Rio Rancho residents who live in the city’s District 4 have until noon on May 26 to apply for appointment to a council seat that became vacant when Mayor Paul Wymer took office May 1 — triggering a process the city has never used in its 45-year history where a sitting mayor must replace his […]
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Mayor Wymer takes office pledging to keep Rio Rancho on the ‘right direction’
Paul Wymer campaigned on keeping Rio Rancho on the same path that three-term Mayor Gregg Hull led the city down. Thursday night, voters’ choice became official when he was sworn in as the city’s new mayor. The public swearing-in ceremony drew governing body members, state legislators and dozens of supporters to City Hall Thursday. Wymer’s […]
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Sandoval County water systems earn top honors at state conference
Rural water systems serving some of Sandoval County’s smallest communities took home four awards at the 48th Annual New Mexico Rural Water Association Conference earlier this month — including the top prize for drinking water taste in the state. The Sile Mutual Domestic Water & Sewer Association earned Small Water System of the Year, the […]
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Rio Rancho swears in new mayor Thursday
Rio Rancho Mayor-elect Paul Wymer takes his oath of office Thursday — and faces his first major budget decision the next morning. The public swearing-in ceremony is set for 5:30 p.m. Thursday, April 30, at Rio Rancho City Hall (3200 Civic Center Circle). Wymer’s term officially begins May 1. Wymer defeated retired teacher and former […]
Posted inCity Desk ABQ
Is Albuquerque settling for slow 911 response times?
By Jesse Jones, City Desk ABQ in The Paper. — When a crisis strikes, every second counts. On a ringing 911 line, those seconds can feel like an eternity. Even as call volume drops and the city rolls out new technology, dispatchers are falling further behind national standards, leaving more callers waiting longer for someone […]
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Albuquerque budget hearings kick off: Here’s how you can weigh in on how the city spends $1.47 billion
By Jesse Jones, The Paper. — Over the next two weeks, Burqueños will have a chance to weigh in on Mayor Tim Keller’s $1.47 billion budget proposal before the City Council votes to approve or amend it. Whether it’s police response times, city parks or how the city addresses homelessness, councilors are opening the floor […]
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Corrales councilors to review wish list
Village councilors in Corrales are going to talk about their wish list Tuesday evening. Their agenda includes a discussion of the village’s infrastructure capital improvement plan (ICIP), which spells out Corrales’ priorities for the next several years. Each local government in New Mexico assembles an ICIP, which the state legislature uses to help make budget […]
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Rio Rancho exempts employee benefits from bidding rules
Rio Rancho employees will see no gaps in their health coverage this summer after the city’s Governing Body approved a change to its procurement code Thursday that gives administrators more flexibility to secure insurance, benefits and retirement programs outside the standard bidding process. Financial Services Director Stephanie Yara told the Governing Body the exemption is […]