Town councilors in Bernalillo are considering a sales-tax hike to promote economic development within the town limits. If the relevant ordinance is approved, a ballot question will go before voters next year, asking whether the town should impose an excise tax equal to one-fourth of one percent. That means an extra 25 cents on $100 […]
Local Government
Posted inLocal Government, Sandoval Signpost, Town of Bernalillo
Rocket plant approval brings questions in Bernalillo
Project Ranger, a Castelion Corporation rocket manufacturing and testing plant, will be coming to Sandoval County. The company announced last week that it has officially selected a Rancho Estates site for the factory, expected to eventually employ more than 300. In the Town of Bernalillo, Mayor Jack Torres says he’s concerned about what impact the […]
Posted inEdgewood, Local Government
IPRA fight in Edgewood: Commissioner accuses town and colleague of hiding emails
Town of Edgewood Commissioner Patrick Milligan filed a complaint last month alleging that the town knowingly violated the state’s open records law, naming Commissioner Filandro Anaya as a defendant. The complaint alleges that the Town of Edgewood and Anaya have “repeatedly failed to comply” with New Mexico’s Inspection of Public Records Act, which allows the […]
Posted inEdgewood, Local Government
Santa Fe County sues Town of Edgewood for fire service payment
By Lauren Lifke The Town of Edgewood is facing a lawsuit from Santa Fe County for allegedly breaching a contractual obligation to pay the county the full agreed-upon amount for fire and rescue services, according to a lawsuit filed Nov. 6. In 2005, Edgewood signed an agreement to pay Santa Fe County for fire services […]
Posted inFederal Government & Congress, Local Government
Bernalillo County passes anti-ICE ordinance to establish ‘Safer Community Places’
The Bernalillo County Commission passed an ordinance Monday night establishing “Safer Community Places” aimed at protecting residents, particularly immigrants, from federal immigration enforcement actions in certain locations. The measure, sponsored by Vice Chair Adriann Barboa and Commissioner Barbara Baca, designates private spaces within public facilities as protected areas, including hospitals, healthcare facilities, schools, daycare centers […]
Posted inLocal Government, Westside Albuquerque
New dispatch center struggles with staffing
Sandoval County’s new public safety dispatch center is still getting up to speed, its director said Tuesday. Yvonne Fox, who heads the Public Safety Emergency Communications Center of Sandoval County (PSECC), said the center doesn’t have the staffing level it needs to provide the service it wants to without compromise. She said the PSECC, which […]
Posted inLocal Government, Westside Albuquerque
Rio Rancho residents sound alarm over hypersonic missile plant
Rio Rancho residents packed a Nov. 13 city council meeting to voice sharp divisions over a resolution that would provide water services to a controversial hypersonic missile manufacturing facility, with speakers citing both national security imperatives and environmental risks. The resolution, which authorizes the city manager to negotiate water and potentially wastewater services for Castelion’s […]
Posted inLocal Government, Westside Albuquerque
County greenlights legislative agenda targeting IPRA, dispatchers and detention officer retention
Sandoval County Commissioners made key decisions regarding legislative priorities, juvenile detention and preserving professional firefighting in the Cuba area Nov. 12. With the 2026 legislative session just weeks away, Commissioners chose to OK a set of the county’s priorities, which staff and lobbyists will pursue in Santa Fe starting in January. The commission also signed […]
Posted inLocal Government, Westside Albuquerque
Rio Rancho fire chief raises concerns about Project Ranger’s impact
Rio Rancho Fire Chief James Wenzel warned city councilors Thursday that a proposed high-hazard facility in Sandoval County could strain the city’s fire department resources and pose unique safety challenges. Wenzel told the council Nov. 13 that Project Ranger, planned for county property just outside city limits, will trigger automatic aid responses from Rio Rancho […]
Posted inLocal Government, Pueblos
Newly elected Moriarty city councilors to prioritize training and transparency
On Election Day, Kenneth Snow and Robin Spalding were voted in to fill the two open candidate seats for the Moriarty City Council, beating out incumbent Bobby Ortiz amid an ongoing controversy about the city’s financial recordkeeping. Snow and Spalding are both new to the council, and the two are acquainted neighbors from childhood, Spalding said. […]