By Kevin Hendricks, The Paper.
Sandoval County is about to pave the way — literally — for its new landfill, and hand the governor a name for an open seat in the Legislature, all in one Wednesday night meeting.
Commissioners are set to award a $6,916,821.80 contract to Albuquerque Asphalt Inc. to build out 28th, 29th and Vista roads as an extension of Paseo del Volcan, from Rainbow Road east to the Arroyo de las Montoyas. The project is phase one of access to the county’s new landfill site and is pitched as an economic-development driver for the corridor. Albuquerque Asphalt underbid two competitors by more than $800,000 and is prequalified with NMDOT, according to the project engineer’s recommendation letter.
A seat in Santa Fe
Commissioners will also vote on who Sandoval County recommends to fill the vacant House District 41 seat, left open when Rep. Susan Herrera resigned July 27. Because the district spans four counties — Rio Arriba, Taos, Santa Fe and Sandoval — each county commission sends a name to the governor, who picks from the list. The county administration is recommending Yolanda Jaramillo, who won the Democratic primary in June and faces no general-election opponent, making her the district’s presumptive next representative regardless of the appointment’s timing.
More details
- Election funding: Commissioners will vote on an $860,911.98 memorandum of understanding with the Secretary of State’s Office to cover Sandoval County’s costs of running the Nov. 3 general election.
- Algodones water tank: A $50,000 state environment department grant would fund planning and design of a fire-protection water tank and hydrant off Centro Algodones Road.
- RRPS Learning Lab: A professional services agreement, funded by a CYFD grant, would let the county provide “Learning Lab” services at Rio Rancho Public Schools’ Student Support Center for suspended middle and high schoolers to keep earning credit toward graduation.
- Legal counsel: Commissioners will consider awarding a general counsel and ethics board counsel contract to Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP following a May RFP.
- Assessor’s report: Assessor Edward Olona is scheduled to present the office’s 2025 annual report and property valuation plan.
- Also on the agenda: a proclamation marking August as National Dog Month, and recognition for Fire Capt. Shannon Farrell’s retirement after 21 years with Sandoval County Fire and Rescue.
INFO BOX
Sandoval County Board of County Commissioners — Regular Meeting
Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026 — 6 p.m.
Administrative Building, Commission Chambers, 1500 Idalia Road, Building D, Bernalillo
Livestream: sandovalcountynm.gov
Public comment (in person or online): sandovalcountynm.gov/commission/public-comment