Rio Communities approves filing for Water Trust Board technical assistance

The Rio Communities City Council voted unanimously Aug. 10 to authorize staff to prepare and file an electronic technical assistance program (TAP) application with the New Mexico Water Trust Board to study water and sewer service needs across developed and undeveloped areas of the city.

City manager Dr. Moore said the TAP is "the first step in taking a look at areas in the city, both developed and undeveloped," and that the state, through retained engineering firms such as Bohannon Houston, would provide substantial assistance to scope engineering and planning work at little or no cost to the city. Dr. Moore said the work will help identify where service is lacking and what investments are required to support economic development.

Council clarified that the purpose is technical assistance rather than an immediate construction authorization; staff encouraged collaboration with New Mexico Water Service Company as part of planning. The motion to proceed was made and seconded, and the council approved the authorization by roll call 4-0.