Los Alamos County Council Regular Session - February 17, 2026

This regular session of the Los Alamos County Council was held in hybrid format on February 17, 2026, at 6:00 PM. The council recognized the Government Finance Officers Association Triple Crown awards, received a quarterly update on the Climate Action Plan, held a public hearing to authorize the issuance of up to $40 million in gross receipts tax improvement revenue bonds for broadband and other infrastructure, approved a consent agenda including a short-term power purchase agreement, and appointed a new member to the Environmental Sustainability Board.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the minutes of the February 3, 2026 regular session.
• Approved Contract AGR26-06 with Quicket Solutions, Inc. for court case management software and services ($373,066.55 plus GRT, 15-year term).
• Approved a Memorandum of Understanding with the North Central Regional Transit District (NCRTD) providing $350,000 for FY2026.
• Approved a short-term Power Purchase Agreement with Tenaska Power Services Co. for $566,481.39 to meet March 2026 power load. Discussion occurred regarding Tenaska’s role as a power marketer and the temporary nature of the agreement.
• Approved Budget Revision No. 2026-42 for $435,388 in New Mexico Department of Transportation grant funds.

The consent agenda was approved unanimously (7-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Sam Gardner (191 Dome Road, Los Alamos developer) expressed opposition to the county’s support for expanded nuclear weapons production at Los Alamos National Laboratory. He referenced a 2018 county resolution supporting pit production and a recent article on Project Velocity, a Department of Energy deregulation initiative to accelerate warhead modernization. He argued that safety and environmental issues (traffic, chromium plume, construction near misses) are being downplayed, and that the lab’s focus has shifted from science to weapons production (85% weapons, 15% science). He asked council to read the article and questioned their continued support.

Discussion Items

• Recognition of GFOA Triple Crown Awards (5A): Helen Perraglio, Administrative Services Director, presented awards for the FY2025 budget, FY2024 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR), FY2024 Popular Annual Financial Report (PAFR), and the NMC-OSA Audit Accountability Award for Mid-Size County. The county has received the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for 33 consecutive years, the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for 34 years, and has had zero audit findings for three consecutive years. Council expressed appreciation.
• Quarterly Climate Action Plan Implementation Update (5B): Sustainability Manager Angelica Gurule reported on year-one progress. Accomplishments include hiring a climate marketing and engagement consultant (Firebrand), publishing a draft fleet conversion and EV charging plan, and installing six new EV chargers at the county building (463 charging sessions in January and first 10 days of February). Ongoing work includes expanding EV infrastructure (two DC fast chargers at Mesa Public Library), constructing the Foxtail Flats solar array (delayed to June 2027 due to environmental clearance), developing a commuter trip reduction program, and researching tariff-on-bill financing. The Environmental Sustainability Board (ESB) has a 17% recycling contamination rate (steady for a decade) and is focusing on education. Councilors asked about the tariff program, contamination causes, coordination with LANL, and building code updates.
• Public Hearing: Resolution 26-06 – $40M Gross Receipts Tax Improvement Revenue Bonds (8A): Helen Perraglio explained that the resolution authorizes up to $40 million in bonds to finance improvements to the county’s broadband system and other public facilities. The preliminary official statement will be posted February 18, pricing is expected February 25, and closing March 10. The county maintains excellent bond ratings (S&P and Moody’s), with an estimated borrowing cost of 3.8–4%. The resolution was adopted unanimously (7-0).
• FY2026 2nd Quarter Financial Overview (9A): CFO Melissa Dadzie presented the financial status as of December 31, 2025. General fund cash and investments total $180 million (book yield 3.68%); utilities portfolio $57 million (yield 4.27%). Total general fund revenues are at 52% of revised budget, with investment income at 105% due to favorable market conditions. Property tax collections are at 61%. Expenditures are 17% higher than the same period last year, in line with budget increases. Capital improvement projects are at 17% life-to-date, with major projects in design (Fire Station 4, Denver Steels, Emergency Operations Center). No action was taken.
• Appointment to Environmental Sustainability Board (10B1): Council interviewed two candidates for one vacancy. After a roll call vote, Carly Blair was appointed (5 votes for Blair, 2 for Laural Hardin) to a partial term ending July 31, 2026.
• Councilor Expenses (10G): Council approved up to three councilors to attend the Main Street America Now conference in Tulsa, Oklahoma, April 12–15, 2026. Motion passed unanimously (7-0).

Key Outcomes

• Unanimous approval of the consent agenda (7-0).
• Adoption of Resolution 26-06 (7-0) authorizing up to $40 million in gross receipts tax bonds for broadband and infrastructure improvements.
• Appointment of Carly Blair to the Environmental Sustainability Board (5-2 vote).
• Approval of councilor travel expenses for the Main Street America Now conference (7-0).
• Next steps: The preliminary official statement for the bonds will be posted February 18, pricing February 25, and closing March 10. The Climate Action Plan update will continue with consultant Firebrand, and the Foxtail Flats solar array is expected to reach commercial operation by June 30, 2027. A joint meeting with the school board is scheduled for February 26, 2026.