Rio Rancho governing body approves contracts, final budget and election precincts; postpones several planning items

At its meeting, the City of Rio Rancho governing body approved multiple contracts and administrative items and took procedural votes to postpone or withdraw several planning items.

Key approvals included: - D41: Advice and consent to award contract 25-114-PW for citywide median, shoulder and drainage-facility maintenance to Yellowstone Landscape (doing business as Yellowstone Landscape LLC) in the amount of $522,760 (including applicable gross receipts taxes). Staff said the contract covers weed mitigation in medians and shoulders and maintenance of drainage ponds and channels; scope-B drainage work is intended to comply with EPA requirements. Director Gottlieb said an inspection regime and an on-staff right-of-way inspector will monitor vendor performance.

- D42: Advice and consent to award contract 26-003-PW for Lima Road reconstruction (Western Hills Drive to Chestman Drive) to TLC Company LLC for $2,923,008 (including gross receipts taxes). Director Gottlieb said the contract includes full-depth roadway repaving, a new water line and services, curb ramp upgrades and updated traffic signage. Construction was anticipated to start in late August or early September and take approximately seven months.

- O18: Second reading and adoption of an ordinance amending Chapter 37 (taxation) to clarify licensing and auditing requirements for short-term rentals and to establish audit deadlines and penalties for noncompliance. Staff said the changes were required by state lodging-tax auditing rules.

- R81: Resolution designating consolidated voting centers and precinct arrangements for the March 3, 2026 municipal election; staff said precinct consolidation is being set proactively and that early-voting locations will be selected from the same sites.

- R82: Adoption of the fiscal year 2026 final budget. Financial staff reported an updated beginning fund balance and adjustments to revenues, transfers and expenditures. The packet listed a general-fund ending balance of $29.5 million (about 29.2% of reserves), which staff said exceeds the city policy minimum of 25%.

Procedural actions and postponements: - R80, O19 and D40 (Quail Ranch master-plan addendum, related zone-map amendment and companion site plan) were postponed to the Aug. 14 meeting because staff identified a notification error in mailed notices. - O20 (an ordinance/agenda item noted as 20 in materials) was withdrawn after staff found inconsistencies in the lot listings; staff said the item will return to the planning and zoning board and later to the governing body.

Public comment on D41: a commenter representing the Northern Meadows Property Owners Association reported tree and lawn damage in that HOA tied to a contractor named Yellowstone, and urged councilors to be aware of past HOA concerns; city staff said inspection and stronger contractual requirements are in place for the new contract.

Votes and roll calls were recorded for each item as part of the meeting record.