Rio Rancho council approves IGA, water-authority talks and $1M budget adjustment for Project Ranger after safety, road and water conditions

Rio Rancho’s governing body voted to approve three linked measures supporting Project Ranger — an industrial manufacturing site proposed by Castellian Corporation — while adding conditions intended to protect public safety and city infrastructure.

The council adopted an amended intergovernmental agreement (IGA) with Sandoval County to advance right‑of‑way work for Paseo Del Vulcan and related economic development priorities. Council required that, before the city releases any funds, the county and city must execute a written memorandum of understanding (MOU) specifying which agency serves as the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ), how plan review and fire‑code enforcement will be handled, the scope of annual inspections, pre‑incident planning and incident action plans, and other fire‑safety responsibilities. A second MOU must set out the phases, funding sources and maintenance responsibilities for the road‑construction plan tied to the project.

Council also approved a resolution authorizing the city manager to negotiate and enter an agreement to provide water — and potentially wastewater — services to the site, and separately approved…