Rio Rancho advisory board backs $18 million in general obligation bond questions, with roads to receive largest share

The City of Rio Rancho Public Infrastructure Advisory Board on an affirmative roll-call vote approved staff’s recommendation to place a package of general obligation bond questions totaling $18,000,000 on the March 3, 2026 ballot, with the largest portion proposed for road projects.

Deputy City Manager Wells told the board staff recommends three bond questions totaling $18 million split among public safety, quality-of-life facilities and roads, and that the roads component would receive the majority of available proceeds. Based on staff estimates, $18 million in approved bond questions could be placed on the 03/03/2026 ballot without a property tax rate increase; staff said a larger $23 million package was modeled and would raise annual property taxes on a $300,000 home by about $47.

Why it matters: the board’s role is to provide input on proposals tied to bonds or loans for roads, drainage and water/wastewater utilities; the governing body must decide this fall whether to place the questions on the ballot for voter approval. Bond proceeds allow the city to fund long-lived infrastructure projects that are otherwise difficult to pay for from annual operating revenues.

Deta…