Rio Rancho Governing Board increases water, sewer rates for next five years

RIO RANCHO — Rio Rancho residents will see an increase in their water bills for the next five years.

The city’s governing body voted 5-1 on Thursday to approve a 3% annual increase in water, sewer and water rights acquisition rates, as well as an annual 5% increase to the bulk fill water station fee, all starting July 1. Only Councilor Bob Tyler, who appeared at the meeting remotely, voted against the measure. He did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The rate increases, which city officials say is necessary to fund water operation systems, came after the board heard a plan for new rates during a February meeting. The new rates override the 2019-24 rate schedule, which included a 1.75% water rate increase and a 0% wastewater increase.

According to city documents, the new water and wastewater rates mean the average residential monthly water/wastewater bill will be adjusted by $2.92 in Fiscal Year 2026. By Fiscal Year 2030, the total rate adjustment would add $15.54 per month to the average bill. The water rights acquisition fee will adjust the average residential monthly bill 30 cents in Fiscal Year 2026. By Fiscal Year 2030, the fee adjustment will add $1.66 per month to the average bill. The bulk fill water station fee will adjust the cost by $0.50 per 1,000 gallons in Fiscal Year 2026. By Fiscal Year 2030, the adjustment will add $2.76 to the cost per 1,000 gallons.

Rio Rancho Mayor Gregg Hull called the annual rate increase “nominal,” noting that for water rates, the net increase in payment for residents will only be 1.75%, not 3%, because of an existing ordinance.

Nicole List, councilor for District 6, was one of the few governing body members who spoke about the rate increases before the vote.

“I know this is not fun. None of us wake up and say, ‘How can we spend more money?’” List said. “I also know there is a very true reality .... that a lot of people will be better suited to have the opportunity to plan for small increments over time than at some point be hit with a much bigger balloon of what they’ll need to be paying.”

Seniors with a fixed income and families that “are struggling” will “do better” under these new water rates, List said. Parents with kids in day care can “plan better,” she said.

“I think this is a much gentler way to get to where we have no choice but to go,” List said.

Council Paul Wymer echoed List’s comments and added “we didn’t take this decision lightly.”

“I hate to do this ... but I think it is in the best interests of all of us,” he said. “Without utilities, your house is not going to be worth much.”

Deputy Mayor Jeremy Lenentine said following the meeting that with changes in the economy, it’s important the city conduct “smart work” about making minor rate adjustments so it does not have a profound impact on residents.

“I think we all know and feel certain things are rising, so it’s incumbent upon us as elected officials to be really precise and as minimal as we possibly can — and I think that’s what we did with this,” Lenentine said.