By Kevin Hendricks, The Paper.
Rio Rancho voters said yes in March — now the Governing Body is set to make it official. The council convenes Thursday night to cast a final vote on $18 million in voter-approved General Obligation bonds and take up a packed agenda of zoning decisions with wide community impact.
$18M bond gets final vote
Voters approved all three bond questions on the March 3, 2026, ballot, authorizing the full $18 million in borrowing for roads, public safety, and quality-of-life improvements. The vote was decisive: 73.3 percent approved $12.4 million for road improvements, 67.2 percent approved $4.4 million for public safety facilities and equipment, and 64.9 percent approved $1.2 million for quality-of-life facilities.
Thursday’s vote on Ordinance 6 (O6) marks the second and final reading needed for adoption. The ordinance delegates authority to Mayor Paul Wymer, City Manager Matt Geisel, and Financial Services Director Stephanie Yara to determine final sale terms. City staff estimates the bond issuance will leave the property tax rate for municipal debt service unchanged.
MAC eyes tap room and outdoor dining
The McDermott Athletic Center — the 70,000-square-foot sports and recreation facility at 801 Loma Colorado Blvd. NE operating on city-owned land — wants to add a beer-and-wine taproom and outdoor courtyard. Two related items on the agenda require council approval before the project can move forward.
Ordinance 9 (O9) would amend the MAC’s special-use zoning to allow restaurants, bars, lounges and outdoor dining. A companion item, D20, would amend the ground lease between the city and MAC operator Michael McDermott to formally permit beer and wine service in a designated outdoor area. Both items cleared the Planning and Zoning Board on June 9.
In exchange for expanded use, the MAC has agreed to increase its free community programming obligation from 150 to 240 hours annually and shift financial reporting to quarterly. Proposed service hours run Monday through Thursday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
350-home Rancho Alegria development up for approval
Pulte Homes is seeking Governing Body approval of the Rancho Alegria Master Plan, a proposed 350-unit single-family residential development on 66.25 acres in northwest Rio Rancho, bounded by Northern Boulevard, Rainbow Boulevard, 3rd Street NW, and 7th Avenue NW. The master plan cleared the Planning and Zoning Board on June 9.
A concurrent rezoning request (Ordinance 8) would shift the parcels from industrial (M-1) and single-family residential (R-1) designations to R-3: Mixed Residential. At 5.28 dwelling units per acre, the proposed density falls below the R-3 maximum of 7 units per acre. The master plan also calls for dedicating 15.7 acres of new public right-of-way and adding bike lanes along Rainbow and Northern boulevards.
More details
Additional items on Thursday’s agenda include:
- R44: Accepting a state capital outlay amendment for the Idalia Road/Loma Colorado Boulevard intersection improvement project
- O7: Zoning change for a 0.95-acre parcel at 1600 Southern Blvd. SE from R-1 residential to C-1 commercial; Gospel Light Baptist Church seeks to develop a fitness center with attached office/retail space; Planning and Zoning Board recommended approval
- Board and commission appointments to the Capital Improvements Plan Citizens Advisory Committee, Keep Rio Rancho Beautiful Committee, and the Investment Advisory Board
Rio Rancho Governing Body — Regular Meeting
Date: Thursday, June 11, 2026
Time: 6 p.m.
Location: Council Chambers, City Hall, Rio Rancho
Watch live: rrnm.gov/2303/Watch-and-Download-City-Meetings
Join via Zoom: us06web.zoom.us/j/83338157719 (Meeting ID: 833 3815 7719 | Passcode: 554297) Join by phone: +1 720-707-2699 (Denver)
To comment on an agenda item in person: Register with the City Clerk at least 15 minutes before the 6 p.m. start. Written public input: Submit to the City Clerk before 4 p.m. Thursday.