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 […]
Local Government
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 […]
Posted inAlbuquerque, Courts, Justice & Safety, Local Government, NM.news
The next time you dial 911 in ABQ, a drone might be the first responder
By Jesse Jones, The Paper. — Seconds after a gunshot is heard across Albuquerque, police launch a drone from a rooftop hive and speed toward the sound. The goal is to arrive before officers, with its camera already rolling, as part of the city’s “drone as a first responder” program. The Albuquerque Police Department’s (APD) […]
Posted inPlacitas
Sandoval County seeks state funding to study water system regionalization in Placitas, Algodones
Dozens of small private water associations in the Placitas and Algodones areas could gain more reliable, sustainable water service under a regionalization effort Sandoval County commissioners unanimously backed Wednesday. Commissioners adopted Resolution No. 4-22-26.11B, authorizing county staff to apply to the New Mexico Finance Authority’s Technical Assistance Program to fund a consultant-led feasibility study. The […]
Posted inLocal Government, Rio Rancho
Rio Rancho road construction picks up this summer as city maps out projects through 2028
Rio Rancho drivers will see road construction ramp up this summer and into 2028 as the city launches six road projects using state grants and voter-approved bond funds. City Public Works Department Director BJ Gottlieb told the Rio Rancho Governing Body during a work session Tuesday that two state Transportation Project Fund grant projects are […]