Rio Rancho council approves budget amendments

RIO RANCHO — The Rio Rancho Governing Body approved a $2.15 million surplus Thursday as part of a package of budget amendments. 

The six-member council unanimously adopted a resolution to make the amendments, which came in response to Rio Rancho City Manager Matt Geisel instructing staff to review the 2026 budget based on factors including "changing economic conditions (and) unforeseen events," according a copy of the measure.

Don Martinez, the city's deputy director of financial services, told councilors who inquired about the surplus that the city uses "conservative budget practices" and vets expenditure requests in-depth before bringing recommendations to the city manager.

"Those two things, on both sides of the ledger, are what puts us in a good position each and every year," Martinez said during the meeting.

The $2.15 million budget increase means the general fund will see $106 million, up from $103 million. The general fund increase includes $1.3 million from gross receipt taxes,  $528,584 from property taxes, $199,911 in franchise fees, $43,147 in miscellaneous funds, $16,250 in licenses and permits and $3,312 in "other funding sources."

Geisel said during the meeting that the city utilizes services from University of New Mexico for economic forecasting.

"We've always being doing our budgeting for the last several years as if we're going into a recessionary environment," he said. "Starting small, ensuring that we're working on delivering those core services, and then being tactical when we see those access revenues — not getting out in front of our skis."

Several councilors inquired about and touted the various projects associated with the budget amendments, which included changes to special and capital funds, debt service funds and utility funds. 

District 3 Councilor Bob Tyler emphasized the urgency of passing the amendments, stating that if they are not approved, certain roads would not be repaired. He also said the amendments include projects he has been waiting years to get accomplished.

"With the midyear budget being the way it is, I think that's a good place to be spending a lot of our money," Tyler said.

District 5 Councilor Karissa Culbreath inquired about a $97,847 budget increase to buy — not rent — equipment for the 19th Avenue drainage facility project.

"That's certainly been something that the neighbors in that area have lots of concerns about, related to mosquitoes and overgrowth," Culbreath said.

She also said she supports the increase in state funds for reconstruction and improvement on Barbara Loop Southeast and Western Hills Drive.

"Those are two roads that definitely need some additional work," Culbreath said. 

Rio Rancho resident Steven VanHorn spoke before the budget amendments were approved, stating that although he was not advocating against disapproval of the measure, he was concerned that the city was not using its advisory bodies to assist in the budgeting process.

"Especially since this is an election year, I think it's important that the people running for office understand that right now, the city is not using several of its boards the way they're supposed to," Van Horn said. "This is how there's accountability in the system. ... They're supposed to give citizens a voice."

Culbreath, Tyler and Jeremy Lenentine (District 2) are all on the ballot for re-election. District 4 Councilor Paul Wymer is running for mayor.

Thursday was not the first time in recent memory that the governing body voted on a budget adjustment — it did so last year, for example, when members approved at least a $15.7 million budget increase. In an interview, Geisel said budget adjustments are common in municipalities.