Rio Rancho manager may be forced out

KRQE TV

Updated: Jul 3, 2012 6:06 PM

RIO RANCHO, N.M. (KRQE) — After four years of serving as Rio Rancho City Manager James Jimenez may soon be on his way out.

Mayor Tom Swisstack confirmed the Rio Rancho City Council will discuss Jimenez's "separation from the city" at a meeting on Wednesday July 11.

It's unclear whether that separation will come in the form of a retirement, resignation or termination.

The announcement comes a day after city councilors held a closed session to discuss Jimenez's situation with the city.

Jimenez is also the chair of the Mariposa Public Improvement District, a board that manages a taxing district for the Mariposa development in the northwestern part of the city.

Mariposa homeowners are dealing with the possibility of dramatically higher property taxes after the developer, High Desert, announced it was pulling out leaving uncertain who would pay off bonds sold by the taxing district

Swisstack does not think that's why Jimenez may lose his job.

"I think we may have gotten to this point because there's maybe been a change in direction, and maybe that direction may be better suited with a different leader, some people may think," Swisstack said.

Rio Rancho's city council has seen a dramatic overhaul this year. In April, three new councilors were elected to the board: Chuck Wilkins, Mark Scott and Lonnie Clayton. All three have the support of the Rio Rancho Tea Party.

Jimenez's job before he became Rio Rancho's city manager was as chief of staff for former Democratic Gov. Bill Richardson.

Jimenez did not return a call requesting comment.

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