Rio Rancho council approves funding, water IGA and road/fire MOUs for Project Ranger after extended debate

Rio Rancho's governing body voted to approve three measures linked to Project Ranger on motions passed the same night, but only after adopting two amendments that require explicit written MOUs on fire safety/authority and on road construction before the city releases funds.

The council voted to approve an intergovernmental agreement with Sandoval County (R‑136) and to authorize the city manager to negotiate a water (and potential wastewater) agreement with the applicant (R‑135). The council also approved a $1,000,000 budget adjustment for economic development expenditures tied to Project Ranger (R‑134). Councilors supported adding two binding conditions into the IGA: (1) a MOU that spells out which agency is the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) and who is responsible for plan review, inspections, pre‑incident planning and incident action plans; and (2) a MOU that lays out a Paseo Del Vulcan/28th Avenue construction plan, timelines and identified funding sources, before any city funds are transmitted to the county.

City manager and county staff framed the measures as narrowly focused, saying the three items do not themselves authorize…