Ad
Featured
Rio Rancho approves final 2026 budget with few changes
Published
Modified
RIO RANCHO — The Rio Rancho Governing Body unanimously adopted the final budget for next year Thursday with some changes due to economic fluctuations that city officials warned them about earlier this year.
The council passed a resolution adopting the budget following approvals of the recommended budget in April and the balanced budget in May.
The latest adoption came as a July 31 deadline draws near to approve the document and submit it to the state.
District 1 Councilor Deborah Dapson, District 3 Councilor Bob Tyler (who appeared for the meeting remotely), District 4 Councilor Paul Wymer, District 5 Councilor Karissa Culbreath, District 6 Councilor Nicole List and District 2 Councilor Jeremy Lenentine all voted in favor of the final budget.
“Because it’s in line with our values and where we’re going, it was very easy to vote in the affirmative on the budget this year,” Lenentine said. “It correctly identifies and funds the major projects that we’ve chosen to pursue for our five-year plan.”
Rio Rancho Mayor Gregg Hull echoed Lenentine in his own comments following the meeting.
“I think the budget, as passed, aligns with the priorities and the goals of the governing board and myself,” he said.
According to city documents provided with the meeting agenda materials, the final budget adjustments include an increase in the communication center fund, which controls the Rio Rancho Dispatch Center; an increase in funds for Rio Rancho Police Department equipment associated with new positions; an increase in funds for police vehicles, fire department fleet maintenance and protective clothing; an increase in funds for road projects; and an increase in the facility fee for the Rio Rancho Events Center by $25, which is a singular adjustment.
The budget also includes decreases, including to the materials and services, utilities, and certain governmental funds.
City Manager Matt Geisel previously told councilors there may be some adjustments to the budget given economic factors. He did not present new information to members during Thursday’s meeting.
Ad
The budget approval process began April 15, when Geisel submitted a $158.8 million budget and a $690.9 million capital program for Hull to review and respond to by April 25. Both plans included investments in new projects, programs and jobs.
The budget is effective July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026, while the capital program is effective July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2030.
The governing body reviewed the proposal with Hull on May 2. The council held a public hearing on May 8 and 22 before adopting the balanced budget and capital program on May 22.
New capital projects include $12.9 million in road projects, including a roundabout at Silent Spring Drive; $9.5 million in wastewater carry and treatment plant improvements; $1.9 million in construction of a new phase of Unser Boulevard; and almost $1 million in building improvements, including to City Hall and Loma Colorado and Esther Bone libraries.
Noncapital projects in the budget proposal include a city-run emergency communications center, an after-school youth program and a pilot program for home purchase down payment assistance for city employees.
Thursday’s meeting included Hull and councilors thanking Rio Rancho Finance Director Carole Jaramillo for her work on the budget before she steps down in October. The city hired Stephanie Yara, who held the same position with the city of Albuquerque.
Following the meeting, Lenentine talked about what he is looking forward to in working with Yara.
“What we’re looking for is more of the same — it’s a high bar that Carole set because she’s been so diligent and so precise over so many years,” Lenentine said.
