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Sandoval County commissioners outline $106 million wish list for infrastructure projects
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At its June 26 meeting, the Sandoval County Commission finalized its top priorities for the 2026-30 Infrastructure Capital Improvement Plan (ICIP).
The $106,322,404 wish list is for state funding for infrastructure projects.
The commission voted 3-2 to approve the updated list, which included a range of projects aimed at enhancing local infrastructure.
Topping the list is the Paseo del Volcan expansion, earmarked at $19.3 million. This project, phase two of a broader initiative, aims to establish a 30-mile-long two-lane highway connecting Albuquerque's western side at Interstate 40 with U.S. 550 in Bernalillo. Phase one, covering the initial 7 miles, has already been completed and is intended to alleviate traffic congestion while bolstering flood control measures for Rio Rancho.
Other allocations from the approved ICIP include $55,287,000 for the expansion of the judicial complex, $18 million for a new dispatch center, $8,671,386 for a county animal shelter, and $5,035,000 to complete the administration building construction.
District 3 Commissioner Michael Meek, who has nearly three decades of experience with ICIPs, said while the topic always draws rigorous discussions about prioritizing these projects, it really is a moot point.
"After the top five, it really doesn’t matter," Meek said.
Not all projects sailed through without debate as the commission narrowed the final list of more than 800 projects to the top 10 that were recommended by county staff.
The proposed $15.6 million for broadband corridor studies drew particular scrutiny and was dropped to No. 6.
District 2 Commissioner Jay Block expressed skepticism about the necessity and cost-effectiveness of such studies.
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"Government studies are less popular, probably, than herpes,” Block said. “It’s just a waste of money and broadband corridor studies for $15 million and no one can even answer what the hell it is. It’s stupid. I don't know why we need $15 million for studies on broadband. We've done studies up the colon for years on broadband stuff. We don’t even know what the hell the studies are.”
The commission opted to retain the broadband project on the list, moving it to the sixth position and adjusting its description.
County Manager Wayne Johnson underscored the strategic importance of maintaining projects on the ICIP list, noting that it significantly influences the likelihood of securing state and federal funding.
“If we strike it completely from our ICIP and we go to try and access funds at either the state or federal level for broadband projects, then we won't have it on our our list and one of the first questions they ask you is, 'Is it on your ICP?'” Johnson said.
