Council approves infrastructure plan

By Eric Maddy
The SCORE

The Rio Rancho Governing Body began tackling what Mayor Tom Swisstack has deemed the city’s biggest challenge on Wednesday, approving an initial five-year infrastructure plan of more than $640 million.

The council also gave final approval for a site plan for Presbyterian Hospital’s $205 million facility at the southern end of the city, heard a report from the agents it has employed to help develop the downtown area and approved several zoning changes. It chose to delay action on one zoning issue until December, looking for different options on a 1.5 acres section slated for commercial development in the Dos Amigos that drew protest from several residents.

According to the agenda briefing memo developed by the public works department, “Due to budgetary constraints the city was not able to provide funds for capital projects in the FY (fiscal year) 2009 budget. Therefore, projects that could not be funded in FY 2009 have been planned for FY 2010-2011, It is anticipated that this situation is to have a short-term impact on the city. A gross receipts tax and general obligation bond are planned for FY 2009 to assist with funding of some of the city’s infrastructure needs.”

Despite the language in the briefing memo, Swisstack said raising taxes would come as "a last resort."

The memo lists $10k849, 149 in fiscal year 2009, which runs from July 1, 2008 to June 30, 2009. Estimate costs for the following years are $177,099,045 for 2010, $212,979,045 in 2011, $91,475,732 in 2012, $76,738,610 in 2013 and $70,932,128 in 2014.

“The Infrastructure Capital Improvement Plan is a plan that establishes planning priorities and funding sources for all anticipated capital expenditures,” according to the briefing memo, covering “infrastructure, facilities, vehicles and equipment.” The report is required by the state’s Department of Finance and Administration and includes capital expenditures or equipment “whose cost is at least $10,000 and whose useful life is at least 10 years.”

In other business, the council:

* Defeated by a 3-2 vote a proposed resolution that would add a fee for a quarterly cleaning of residential trash cans.

• Amended its ordinance governing local economic development plans.

• Set up guidelines to administer from a grant of almost $1 million for a water system in the north-central area of the city.

• Amended the budget to provide a drinking fountain at Sierra Norte II Park, with money coming from Sandoval County.

MORE TO COME.