Los Alamos County Personnel Board Meeting Summary – October 27, 2026

The Los Alamos County Personnel Board met on Tuesday, October 27, 2026 at 11:30 AM in Suite 110, 1000 Central Avenue. The meeting covered approval of the agenda and minutes, adoption of the 2027 Work Plan and meeting calendar, and received reports from the HR Manager, Chair, and County Council Liaison. No public comments were made.

Consent Calendar

• The board approved the agenda as amended, correcting the County Council Liaison name from "Chair Hampton" to "Counselor" (referring to Beverly Neal-Clinton).
• The board approved the minutes of the June 23, 2026 meeting as amended.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public spoke.

Discussion Items

• 2027 Work Plan: HR Manager Bernadette Martinez presented a draft based on the 2026 plan, updated with current board members and a revised description of employee appeal hearings (one resolved prior to meeting, one proceeded before the board). A minor typographical correction was noted (spelling of “age” in a member’s name). The board approved the work plan as amended.
• 2027 Personnel Board Meeting Calendar: Martinez proposed meetings on the fourth Tuesday of each month, with no meetings in May and November, and a second Tuesday meeting in December to avoid the holiday. The board approved the calendar.
• HR Manager Report – September 2026: Martinez provided a detailed report covering:
  • Completion of policy revisions (compensation, recruitment, harassment).
  • Rollout of mandatory anti-harassment training (every two years for all employees; annually for supervisors).
  • Personnel rules awaiting union review after working group completion.
  • Filling of Senior Office Specialist position (Tanya Lujan); one vacancy being reclassified to management analyst.
  • Safety training: 37 employees completed forklift and aerial lift training.
  • Job description review underway (required every four years).
  • Recruitment: 23 jobs posted in September (139 YTD), 279 applications received (2,044 YTD), 8 new hires (142 YTD), 12 promotions (96 YTD), vacancy rate 7.95% (excluding temps).
  • RFP process for new applicant tracking system; first virtual job fair held on September 30.
  • Benefits: RFPs for insurance benefits; 6 retirement planning meetings, 10 exit interviews in September.
  • Employee anniversaries and recognition coins awarded.
  • Cross-training of HR staff (Matthew Martinez and Tara Polacco moved roles).
  • Open enrollment begins November 4 with a health fair; changes effective January 1, 2027.
  • Challenges retaining transit drivers (competition from LANL and industry-wide shortages); a mini market study and policy changes are underway.
• Chair's Report: Chair Martha Katko attended the Boards and Commissions Month in September.
• County Council Liaison Report: Beverly Neal-Clinton commended the board's work and the comprehensive HR report.

Key Outcomes

• Approved the June 23, 2026 minutes as amended (unanimous vote).
• Approved the 2027 Work Plan as amended (unanimous vote).
• Approved the 2027 Personnel Board Meeting Calendar as presented (unanimous vote).
• The board expects to review proposed personnel rules at its December meeting (may slip into 2027).
• A market study RFP will be issued in early 2027, with changes likely implemented in fiscal year 2029.
• The meeting adjourned at 11:58 AM.