Rio Rancho council approves FY24 audit, site plan, liquor license transfers and mid‑year budget; several ordinances advanced

The Rio Rancho City Council on unanimous votes accepted the fiscal year 2024 audit, approved a site plan for a build‑to‑rent multifamily community, granted local approval for two liquor‑dispenser license transfers, advanced two land‑use ordinances on first reading and adopted mid‑year budget adjustments for fiscal year 2025.

Audit: clean opinion accepted

Director Jaramillo and Raul Anaya, engagement partner at CliftonLarsonAllen (CLA), presented the independent audit of the city’s financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2024. Anaya said the firm issued “a clean opinion,” and he told the council the audit identified no findings and that the city received a clean opinion on administration of federal awards as well. The council adopted Resolution R8 accepting and approving the FY24 audit. The roll call showed unanimous approval.

Build‑to‑rent site plan

The council approved site plan D7 for a build‑to‑rent community proposed for the property legally described as Unit 10, Block 81, Lots 1 through 20. Amy Rincon, Director of Development Services, said staff found the site plan met standards and referenced prior variances approved by the Planning and Zoning Board. Applicant Ron Bohannon confirmed a two‑phase traffic study and mitigation plan — including analysis of about 14 intersections and an access evaluation on Unser Boulevard — and said mitigation measures would be accounted for. The site plan passed on a unanimous roll call.

Liquor license local approvals

The council granted local governing body approval for two transfers of New Mexico dispenser licenses: DI000382 (Sandia Shell, 7801 Car Way) and DI000495 (Rio Rancho Shell, 4001 Road). Miss Davis presented the items and said the Regulation and Licensing Department had given preliminary approval; both items passed on unanimous roll calls and will next go to the state regulation and licensing department for final approval.

Ordinances and text amendments (first readings)

- Chapter 123 (short‑term rentals): The council approved on first reading the set of amendments described in the separate article; the first reading passed 5–1.

- Chapter 154 (definitions and permissive uses): Council approved on first reading a text amendment that removes boarding/lodging houses and bed‑and‑breakfast uses from permissive uses in R3 and R6 and makes them available by special‑use zoning (S‑U). Planning and Zoning recommended approval; the first reading passed unanimously.

Mid‑year budget adjustments adopted (R9)

Finance staff proposed adjustments to the FY25 mid‑year budgets. Highlights included a proposed general fund revenue increase of $9,600,000 (about 6%), driven primarily by stronger gross receipts tax (GRT) performance, and a proposed general fund expenditure increase of $2,600,000 (2.7%), which included personnel costs for three fire battalion chiefs, two zoning specialists and a utilities fiscal manager, additional overtime and materials and services increases. Transfers out included $3.2 million for repairs such as replacement of a pool pack at the aquatic center and $545,000 for a new paging alert system at fire stations. With the proposed adjustments the general fund ending balance was projected to increase by $2,053,749 to $30,959,443 (about 30.6% in reserves). The council approved the mid‑year adjustments by unanimous roll call.

Votes at a glance

- R8 — Resolution accepting FY24 audit: Motion to approve (mover/second not specified). Vote: yes — Councilors List, Tyler, Dabson, Linnentine, Weimer, Culbreth. Outcome: approved. Notes: Auditor CLA issued a clean opinion and reported no findings; state auditor approved audit on Jan. 6.

- D7 — Site plan approval, Build‑to‑Rent Community (Unit 10, Block 81, Lots 1–20): Motion to approve (mover/second not specified). Vote: yes — Linnentine, Weimer, Culbreth, List, Tyler, Dabson. Outcome: approved. Notes: Applicant will complete traffic impact and access studies; mitigation measures to be applied.

- D8 — Approval of transfer for Sandia Shell (DI000382): Motion to approve (mover/second not specified). Vote: unanimous yes. Outcome: approved (goes to state for final approval).

- D9 — Approval of transfer for Rio Rancho Shell (DI000495): Motion to approve (mover/second not specified). Vote: unanimous yes. Outcome: approved (goes to state for final approval).

- O1 — Ordinance amending Chapter 123 (short‑term rentals), first reading: Motion to approve (mover/second not specified). Vote: yes 5, no 1 (Councilor Culbreth). Outcome: first reading approved; returns for second reading.

- O2 — Ordinance/text amendment to Chapter 154 (land‑use definitions and permissive uses), first reading: Motion to approve (mover/second not specified). Vote: unanimous yes. Outcome: first reading approved.

- R9 — Resolution adopting FY25 mid‑year budgets: Motion to approve (mover/second not specified). Vote: unanimous yes. Outcome: approved.

What stayed the same and what to watch

Councilors and staff repeatedly said they will monitor enforcement and impacts and adjust policy if necessary. Mayor Hall emphasized that permit revocation and named local contacts for complaints are part of the short‑term rental guardrails. Development Services will administer density measurements and traffic‑study requirements; utilities and finance staff will implement budget adjustments. The items approved locally for liquor licenses still require final state approval.

Provenance: This roundup is based on council presentations, auditor remarks, Development Services materials, applicant statements and the roll‑call votes recorded during the meeting.