Rio Communities Town Hall and State of the City

RIO COMMUNITIES—Rio Communities Mayor Joshua Ramsell delivered a message of hope in the midst of uncertainty in his first State of the City address last week.

Ramsell, along with local legislators — Sens. Joshua Sanchez (R-District 29) and Liz Stefanics (D-District 39) and Reps. Tanya Mirabal Moya (R-District 7) and House Minority Leader Gail Armstrong (R-District 49).

Ramsell credited those who came before him — the first mayor, councils and volunteers — for having a vision and a dream of incorporation more than a dozen years ago.

He started off with a history lesson on how Rio Communities first came to be as a master-planned development by the Horizon Corporation in the 1960s.

“In 2013, after several attempts to incorporate, our city was finally born,” Ramsell said. “In the early days, we only had volunteers, meeting in a donated space and forming a new government.”

In 2021, the city had six employees and grant projects that total about $1 million. Public works was in the beginning stages, and the city was able to hire its first paid fire chief, who oversaw a department of all volunteers. The city also had a contract with the Valencia County Sheriff’s Office for one full-time deputy.

In his speech, Ramsell pointed to a few actions he’s proud of — including establishing the police department, a full-time fire department and rescue as well as other projects,

“Today, the city has 36 employees, a full-time public works department, many pieces of equipment ...,” the mayor said. “Our fire department now operates 24/7, three shifts and three full-time paid staff and 18 volunteers.”

Ramsell has replaced 16 aged-out fire apparatus, and will be obtaining a new fire engine next week thanks to an appropriation by the New Mexico Legislature.

The police department has three officers, and is answering a full call volume, Ramsell said.

The city is also working on about $24 million worth of grants for everything from EMS equipment to road projects.

“We continue to make investments into our infrastructure, and we must continue to focus on public safety,” Ramsell said. “It’s vital for our community and our future.”

The mayor thanked the local legislators for supporting Rio Communities, and allocating funds for the city over the years.

“Rio Communities has a strong history of completing projects with funds requested from our legislators,” he said.

During the town hall and state of the city event, the mayor and legislators were asked questions ranging from development, the ZIP code issue and their thoughts on dis-incorporation from audience members.

The city of Rio Communities is facing an uncertain future as new development has stalled in the past few months due to a proposed large fee increase for new sewer hookups for both residential and commercial developers by New Mexico Water.

Earlier this year, the company filed a request with the New Mexico Public Regulations Commission to increase its one-time fees for new sewer connections after getting requests for 240 new connections to its Rio del Oro plant, south of the University of New Mexico-Valencia campus in Tomé.

The current fee for a 5/8 inch meter is $866, with a proposed increase to $11,688, a 1,250 percent increase. The next size up, 3/4 of an inch, would go from $1,329 to $17,532. The largest meter, 8 inches, is currently subject to a $70,880 connection fee. A proposed 1,219 percent increase would put it at $935,040.

On May 5, the Rio Communities city councilors voted unanimously to petition the PRC to let the city become an intervenor in the case.

When asked about how they could support Rio Communities regarding the fee increases, the legislators told the audience the council and the community need to stand vigilant and keep them informed.

Stefanics said while she couldn’t speak about private development, she said if they had a problem with the PRC to contact her and she could help. She also said many of their meetings are now virtual, which means the public is able to participate better.

Sanchez said he has been contacted by a couple of city councilors and is staying on top of the issue. He said it’s on “his radar” and is hopeful they’ll get an answer soon.

When asked if the city has heard about obtaining its own ZIP code, Ramsell said he hasn’t heard anything lately, but has continued to bring up the issue with both local and federal legislators.

“When we speak to the delegation, we let them know we’ve been going through the process,” said Ramsell, who added that he recently had a conversation with U.S. Rep Gabe Vasquez about the issue.

Another question an audience member asked, “Would it be better if Rio Communities (dis-) incorporated and go back to the county?”

Stefanics said if the city dis-incorporated, Rio Communities’ residents and businesses would “lose a lot.”

“You would lose the ability to receive funds directly from the state,” she said. “Right now, if we gave money to the county for something, it’s still up to the county on how to spend it. Please remember that you’re the safest if it comes to you directly.”

Mirabel Moya agreed, saying staying as a city is best for Rio Communities.

“There is a difference, I believe, the difference in the number of residents of about 2,000 compared to Belen,” Mirabel Moya said. “You have the population and now it’s a matter of attracting economic development, and you’re doing that. You’re getting a Maverick soon, and then there’s Arcosa.”

She said while government work and progress might be slow, it’s best for Rio Communities to continue what it’s doing.

“I hear the struggles from some of our county’s communities, and they want to make a difference where they are and they have to go through the county. Well, they only have a certain amount of money and the priorities might not be of that of that community.

“You have to determine your own destiny,” she said. “It’s much better than having to wait on someone else.”

Armstrong agreed, but also encouraged Rio Communities to stay the course.

“If you went back to the county, you would have to get on the county’s priority list,” Armstrong said. “If you want anything to get done in this district, it’s going to be difficult.

“When we get capital outlay requests, we count on the city councils to make sure we know what they need. We only have so much money to give, and you have great advocates in this room.”

“You’ve gone way too far to go back,” Sanchez added. “I just live down the road, and I believe you’ve made great progress.”

Mayor Ramsell said he has lived in Rio Communities his “entire life” and is well aware of the challenges the city has overcome, what is currently in front of them and is hopeful for the future of the city.

“I look back and there’s been a lot accomplished in the community,” Ramsell said. “And there’s a lot to get done, but we’re seeing more revenue in the last few years.”

The mayor said while government progress may be slow, he’s hopeful the city is continuing to work toward providing a good quality of life for its residents and business community.