After 10 years, Rio Rancho has finally have new face in the mayor office. But what does this new face offers to the residents?
Paul Wymer is the newly elected mayor, having won the runoff election against Alexandria Piland last April 2026. He was a former city councilor and took office first week of May 2026.
Here is what you need to know about Wyner’s agenda and priotities:
Infrastructure
A resident for 49 years has called Rio Rancho home and said his biggest concern is that the city is not keeping up with the infrastructure of the growth they’re working on all the new areas, but neglecting the old areas.
The resident lives in Star Heights 2 neighborhood. He said time after time, the roads are torn up from internet companies, gas line ruptures, and more. But each time, the company responsible or the city of Rio Rancho just patches things up.
The resident hopes mayor Wymer will change that. According to Wymer, the city is in the middle of setting its budget, which includes the $12 million bond voters approved in March to improve certain roads.
“One is Baltic Road, which is up at the west end of town, $8.1 million for just that road,” Wymer said.
The mayor says the city has “repaired or touched” 51% of its roads which includes the Neighborhood Street Improvement Program, which is that crack removal and replacement of the asphalt.
“To many residents, I suspect that doesn’t look like a fix. It looks like a band aid, but it is buying us more time on a road that otherwise has a lot of life left in it.” he said.
But for the resident, patchworks isn’t cutting it.
“Our residential streets are falling apart,” he said. “I feel that our neighborhood alone itself is not part of Rio Rancho. Even though we pay taxes for it, we’re being ignored. And that’s one of the things that it’s really upsetting.”
Wymer also added as they work on the other 49% of roads, they’ll have to revisit the roads the city first worked on.
Budget and Public Safety
Aside from roads and infrastructure, Wymer says his other priorities include the city’s budget, public safety, and education.
“We’re working through salaries, and that includes increases for police and fire. I’ve said from day one we need to keep both police and fire happy. They are one of the things that drives people and is attractive to people to Rio Rancho.”
Some residents are mainly concerned about crime and homeless people spilling into Rio Rancho from Albuquerque. Wymer said he’s aware of that concerns but has also heard the opposite.
“While I do agree that there are homeless that we’re seeing perhaps more than than we used to crime, perhaps we’re seeing more of that. I attribute some of that to the growth,” Wymer said.
“As we grow, we’re going to have more people here, and not all of them are good apples and so, but I would still say it’s a concern. We’ve got to be cognizant of it,” he added.
Education
Last Monday, Rio Rancho leaders broke ground on a new fire station that Wymer said was a collaboration with Rio Rancho Public Schools.
“They had a piece of property that worked very well for a fire station, the city had a piece of property that was very good for a school that they wanted to build, and we were able to work through the details and get those traded out,” he said.
Wymer mentioned he wants to maintain a strong relationsip with Rio Rancho Public Schools and he will have his meeting with new superintendent Dr. Robert Dodd.
Some residents asked Wymer if he plans on adding school to the area, but he said, residents would have to submit that as a request.
Visibility
Wymer said his door is open for residents.
“I have always been, as the District 4 councilor, very open to my constituents. I say all the time, that doesn’t mean that when the phone rings, I’m going to answer it right away. If I’m in the meeting or if I’m in conversation with someone else, I’m not going to pick up, but I will get back with whoever leaves a message,” he said.
Final Thought
Everyone hopes the new mayor brings fresh prospects and ideas to the Rio Rancho Mayoral Office. Residents hope for better public services and a transparent mayor who will lead the city.