By Kevin Hendricks, The Paper.
Rio Rancho residents wondering where their city is headed, and who’s holding the steering wheel, can find out Thursday when the Governing Body pulls over to check the map.
Mayor Paul Wymer and the Governing Body meet at 3:30 p.m. Sept. 24 for a special work session, according to the city’s agenda. On the list are an update on the 2023-2028 Strategic Plan, the 2026-2027 planning calendar, and goals for City Manager Matt Geisel.
The plan is past the halfway point of its five-year run, so consider this a midterm report card. Under the City Charter, the mayor leads an annual review of city goals.
Last year’s grades were mixed. The city’s September 2025 progress report showed an affordable housing plan and a utility rate review wrapped up. But planning for a joint public safety headquarters sat at zero, as did an update to the land use map meant to guide the next 20 years of growth.
Residents shouldn’t plan on stepping up to the podium. Public comment isn’t taken at work sessions, but residents can watch in person or online, or email their councilor.
BY THE NUMBERS
Here’s where things stood in the city’s September 2025 progress report:
- 40%: Progress on installing at least 20,000 smart water meters. New billing software for those customers was at 50%.
- 0: The number of water service lines needing replacement under federal lead and copper rules, after the plan called for replacing 3,000
- 52: Miles of residential road work toward a five-year goal of 130 miles
- 45,000: Library cardholders, toward a goal of 50,000
- 55%: Progress on Fire Station 8
- 75%: Progress on a feasibility study for a Real-Time Crime Center
- 71%: The share of city vehicles repaired in-house within 24 hours, beating the 50% goal
Watch the Rio Rancho Governing Body special work session:
- When: 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 24
- Where: Council Chambers, Rio Rancho City Hall, 3200 Civic Center Circle NE
- Stream: rrnm.gov/2303/Watch-and-Download-City-Meetings
- Read the 2023-2028 Strategic Plan: TK (link)
- Accessibility requests: 505-891-5003 or legal@rrnm.gov, at least 48 hours in advance
Contact your elected officials:
- Mayor Paul Wymer: pwymer@rrnm.gov
- District 1, Deborah Dapson: ddapson@rrnm.gov
- District 2, Jeremy Lenentine: jlenentine@rrnm.gov
- District 3, Bob Tyler: btyler@rrnm.gov
- District 4, David Mann: dmann@rrnm.gov
- District 5, Karissa Culbreath: kculbreath@rrnm.gov
- District 6, Nicole List: nlist@rrnm.gov