Rio Rancho: no funding for construction impact-fee study

From the Rio Rancho Observer - BY BRAD BUCK Observer managing editor - The City of Rio Rancho has nixed an idea to pay for a study to see whether suspending impact fees is a good idea. In a 4-3 vote, the Governing Body decided against the study. The idea was for the consultant to help councilors determine whether to eliminate impact fees completely or cut them by half. Councilors Tim Crum (pictured left), Kathy Colley and Steve Shaw voted for the study, while Patricia Thomas, Mike Williams and Tamara Gutierrez voted against it. Mayor Tom Swisstack cast the deciding vote against the study. Construction of new homes has dipped dramatically in the past six years; thus stimulating the impact fee discussion. Meanwhile, current impact fees will remain unchanged, according to a resolution adopted by city councilors Wednesday night. Tim Crum said the city has to get home and commercial construction jump-started somehow. He said he hopes suspending impact fees would create not only more construction but more gross-receipts tax revenue. Read more

Rio Rancho: no funding for construction impact-fee study