Paul Wymer’s first full day as mayor of Rio Rancho didn’t start with a honeymoon. It started with a budget. Sworn in April 30, Wymer joined the governing body at 9 a.m. on May 1 for a special work session to review the city’s recommended fiscal year 2027 budget and a five-year capital improvement plan […]
Local Government
Posted inCity Desk ABQ
Keller veto holds: Council leaves rules requiring better A/C for renters in limbo
By Jesse Jones, City Desk in The Paper. — On Monday, the Albuquerque City Council failed to override Mayor Tim Keller’s veto of changes to a controversial renters’ rights cooling ordinance, falling one vote short of the six votes required. Council President Klarissa Peña and Vice President Dan Champine, along with Councilors Brook Bassan, Renée […]
Posted inCity Desk ABQ
Albuquerque’s new ‘Safety Zones’: A boost for business or a crackdown on poverty?
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 […]
Posted inLocal 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 […]
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 […]