Los Alamos County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Los Alamos County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Personnel Rules revision
HR plans to start revising the county's Personnel Rules in July — a lengthy process that will come before this board and require County Council approval. A required compensation market study (done every four years) is also on the way, with an RFP expected in FY2027.
Rising vacancy rate and transit operator turnover
The county's vacancy rate climbed to 7.95% after a wave of retirements, and transit operator positions have turned over constantly for a decade — partly because the Lab and trucking jobs pay more. HR is planning a targeted market study for transit and recruitment policy changes, with any pay fixes landing in FY 2029.
APPA benchmarking ratios and underlying financial health
The board was scheduled to discuss its budget, which funds public art projects and maintenance across the county.
DPU FY2027 Budget Preview
The board reviewed draft financial guidelines and debated how much money the utilities manager can spend without board approval. This affects how quickly the utility can respond to needs — and how tightly the board keeps watch on the checkbook.
Charter Amendments on November 2026 Ballot
Council advanced three charter changes to the November 3 ballot: extending board term limits from two to three terms, removing party affiliation requirements for most boards, and deleting the requirement that utility operating profits transfer to the general county fund.
Water rate ordinance correction (No. 02-387)
The proposed water rate increase was pulled from the agenda over procedural issues and will restart with introduction in August, delaying any rate change by about a month.
July 2026 power purchase costs
Wholesale power prices are about double what they were three or four months ago, so the board approved a July-only purchase of up to $4.725 million. Councilor Havemann pressed on how much the delayed ECA is costing ratepayers.
Utility rates, reserves, and financial policies
The program helped 70 households with $23,138 this year. Staff proposed raising the minimum benefit to $22 and maximum to $174 to keep pace with roughly 11% in coming electric, gas, water, and sewer rate increases, and will study fairer calculations for middle-income households.
Gas rate increase fails; utilities ballot measures advance
The Board of Public Utilities voted unanimously to send a gas rate increase to council — roughly 16% effective on bills in year one and 11% in year two — driven by warm winters cutting sales, infrastructure and compliance costs, and historical underpricing.
FY27 county budget and gross receipts tax increase
Council adopted a $351 million budget (down from $368 million) and raised the gross receipts tax to 7.6875% starting July 1 — a change shoppers will see at checkout. Public Works gets a $63 million share.