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 […]
Local Government
Posted inRio Rancho
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 […]
Posted inRio Rancho
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 […]
Posted inSandoval County
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 […]
Posted inRio Rancho
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 […]
Posted inLocal Government
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 […]
Posted inCorrales
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 […]
Posted inRio Rancho
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 […]
Posted inRio Rancho
Rio Rancho’s longest-serving mayor passes the gavel, sets sights on governor’s race
The tributes ran long and the tears came easy as Rio Rancho Mayor Gregg Hull gaveled out of office April 23 as the city’s longest-serving mayor. Hull addressed the Governing Body for the final time, citing road reconstruction, the city’s aquifer recharge facility, a new permanent fund and a strengthened partnership with Intel Corporation among […]