Los Alamos County Council Regular Session - August 26, 2026

Note: The meeting agenda and transcript identify the meeting as Tuesday, August 25, 2026, 6:00 PM in Council Chambers; the provided timestamp lists the date as August 26, 2026. The council approved a consent agenda, introduced a water project loan ordinance, held public hearings on an economic development loan and gas rates, approved a seven-year concert series contract, and approved the 2026 Electric Coordination Agreement with DOE/NNSA.

Consent Calendar

• Approved 7-0 the appointment of Bryan Fearey to the Art in Public Places Board for the term August 27, 2026 to March 25, 2028.
• Approved 7-0 Amendment One to Agreement AGR26-888 with BIGBYTE.CC Corporation, increasing the not-to-exceed amount from $550,000 to $740,000, plus gross receipts tax, for increased power supply at the remote disaster recovery site and data center.
• Approved 7-0 the appointment of Jennifer Best to fill one vacancy on the Board of Registration for the remainder of the term July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2027.

Public Comments & Testimony

• For the National Suicide Prevention Month proclamation, Jamie Allbach, Social Services Division Program Specialist, accepted the proclamation and highlighted training opportunities and the role of housing and food security in suicide prevention.
• On the VE Holdings LEDA ordinance (The Rock), public comment was mostly supportive. Supporters included Becca Jones (frozen yogurt shop operator), Audrey Maroquin and Sandy Jones (Los Alamos Chamber of Commerce), Jacqueline Connolly (MainStreet director), Tyler Jones, and applicant Janet Lovato. Concerns were raised by Lisa Shin and Alan Science that the $1.26 million annual sales target and 5-8 FTE job requirements were unrealistic for a new business and could put the owner at risk of foreclosure.
• At the gas rate hearing, Jason Chappelle asked the council to look beyond the immediate increase and provide a plan to break the cycle of repeated rate increases. Chris Lucchini suggested restructuring rates by raising the fixed connection charge rather than raising the per-therm consumption charge.
• On the Electric Coordination Agreement, Joni Ahrens (Concerned Citizens for Nuclear Safety) said DOE tactics run roughshod over New Mexico communities and submitted written comments. Eric Stromberg, a LANL employee, noted that Los Alamos is the only DOE site with 45 non-laboratory customers on the LANL distribution network, which complicated DOE contracting.

Presentations & Proclamations

• Councilor Beverly Neal-Clinton read a proclamation declaring September 2026 as National Suicide Prevention Month in Los Alamos County. The proclamation noted suicide is the second leading cause of death among 10-34 year olds and that New Mexico ranks fourth nationally for deaths by suicide.
• Russell Naranjo, Miguel Jimenez, and architect Wayne Lloyd presented an introductory overview of the Community Health Action Center (CHAC) project. The project has $950,000 programmed in FY 2026 for planning and design. Three sites are under evaluation: 1000 Sombrillo Court (county-owned vacant lot, about 1.4 acres), 3540 Orange Avenue (Los Alamos Public Schools property with an existing building, about 1.7 acres), and 1990 Diamond Drive (LAPS property with an unoccupied building). No site has been selected; the planning process will develop a facility program, schematic designs, and cost estimates before recommendations go to the Planning and Zoning Commission, Health Council, and County Council. This item was informational only.

Public Hearings & Action Items

• Ordinance No. 760 - LEDA Project Participation Agreement with VE Holdings NM LLC (The Rock, White Rock): The council held a public hearing and then adopted the ordinance 7-0. The county will provide an $868,000 zero-interest loan over 10 years with a 24-month payment deferral, secured by a first-priority mortgage on 116 and 118 State Road 4. The total project cost is approximately $2.1 million. Performance requirements include obtaining a certificate of occupancy within 12 months, operating at least 8 hours/day and 5 days/week, generating at least $30,797 in construction-related gross receipts tax, achieving at least $1,260,000 in annual sales from 2027 through 2030, and creating at least 5 FTE jobs by end of 2027 and 8 FTE jobs in 2028-2030 with at least $216,208 in annual compensation. County staff estimated a total economic benefit of $785,556 over 10 years and a public return of $2.26 per $1 of loan cost. Council discussion clarified that failure to meet aspirational revenue targets, such as $3.1 million by 2031, would not constitute default; defaults are tied to the negotiated loan, sales, and job criteria, with cure periods and council hearings built into the agreement.
• Code Ordinance No. 02-385 - Gas Service Rates: The council adopted the ordinance 6-1, with Councilor Reagor dissenting. The ordinance increases the fixed cost recovery component from $0.34 to $0.48 per therm (about a 41% increase), raises the residential/small-meter service charge from $14.25 to $15.53 per month and the large-meter charge from $41.25 to $44.96, effective for billings on or after August 31, 2026. Staff reported FY 2026 gas fund projections showed a net loss of about $760,000, though unaudited final numbers showed a modest gain of about $120,000 due to capital project carryovers, lower-than-expected gas costs, and a $350,000 revenue transfer carried into FY 2027. Council discussion included comparing rates with New Mexico Gas Company and Zia Natural Gas, the connection-charge rate design suggestion, and the impact of the November ballot question on utility profit transfers.
• Sancre Productions Summer Concert Series Contract (AGR26-54): The council approved the seven-year general services agreement 5-2, with Councilors Reagor and Neal-Clinton dissenting. The contract totals $1,370,000 plus gross receipts tax and runs October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2033. It requires 15 concerts per season: five large-scale concerts targeted at 7,000 or more spectators and ten small-scale concerts. Year one compensation is $80,000, year two is $140,000, then $170,000, $200,000, $230,000, $260,000, and $290,000 in years three through seven. Staff cited attendance metrics: average of 64,120 attendees per series across the last six years, average cost per attendee dropping from $4.44 to an estimated $3.05 over the contract term, and average annual sponsorships of about $121,449. The higher contract amount is intended to reduce repeated solicitation of local businesses for sponsorships.
• 2026 Electric Coordination Agreement (ECA) with DOE/NNSA: The council approved the agreement 7-0. The ECA is a 10-year fixed-price, cost-sharing contract effective September 1, 2026 through August 31, 2036, with an option for a 10-year extension. It updates the 1985 power pool framework to address changes in electricity markets, federal procurement rules, and long-term resource commitments such as Foxtail Flats. Key provisions include a new cost-sharing arrangement, revised cost allocation methods, an 80 percent allocation of Foxtail Flats to LANL, and new non-binding language in Section H4 for handling termination-for-convenience and mitigation of long-term resource liabilities. The Board of Public Utilities recommended approval by a vote of 4-1. Council discussion acknowledged the agreement is not perfect and that the county had limited practical alternatives, but approved it to maintain electric utility operations.

Council Business & Reports

• County Manager Anne Laurent presented the July 2026 monthly report, highlighting summer events, recent hires in traffic, transit, and recreation, and the retirement of Jackie Salazar after 18 years with the county.
• Councilor Neal-Clinton reported on NACo conference sessions, including strategies for scaling government services and a mobile Narcan distribution device. Councilor Reagor reported that the Planning and Zoning Commission approved a site plan for a Christus Health medical facility on DP Road. Councilor Havemann reported on NCRTD board and finance committee meetings, Health Council data showing 34% of respondents ages 18-24 had suicidal thoughts, and an Environmental Sustainability Board meeting on biosolids and Bee City USA. Council Chair Ryti reported on meetings with Pueblo de San Ildefonso, congressional delegation staff, schools, and the Los Alamos Nuclear Forum, as well as monitoring proposed statutory changes affecting incorporated counties.
• The council approved 7-0 Councilor Havemann's travel expenses of approximately $1,200 for an energy conference in Albuquerque on September 14-16, 2026.
• Upcoming agenda preview noted a joint meeting of the Los Alamos County Council, Rio Arriba County Commission, and Espanola City Council on September 2, 2026, at Northern New Mexico College to discuss regional landfill next steps.

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda approved 7-0.
• Ordinance No. 759 (NMFA Water Project Fund Loan/Grant Agreement for $3,252,000 for Denver Steels waterline replacement phases II and III) was introduced without prejudice for later consideration.
• Ordinance No. 760 (LEDA loan for VE Holdings/The Rock) adopted 7-0.
• Code Ordinance No. 02-385 (gas rate increase) adopted 6-1, with Councilor Reagor opposed.
• Sancre Productions concert series contract approved 5-2, with Councilors Reagor and Neal-Clinton opposed.
• 2026 Electric Coordination Agreement with DOE/NNSA approved 7-0.
• Councilor travel expenses approved 7-0.