Members of the Los Alamos County Council at the first night Los Alamos County’s FY 2026 Budget Hearings Monday in Council Chambers at the Municipal Building. Screenshot/LADP
Staff Report:
Los Alamos County Council kicked off its first night of budget hearings for Fiscal Year 2026 Monday in Council Chambers. Council tentatively approved several department budgets while setting a few items aside for future discussion.
Department Public Utilities – Unanimously voted to tentatively approve the $107.3 million budget along with two budget options, which include $350,000 for a gas line replacement project on a section of Trinity Drive and $1,100,000 for a water line replacement project on another section of Trinity Drive
County Council – Voted 6-1, with Councilor David Reagor opposed, to tentatively approve the $445,212 budget. Reagor questioned the budget item assigned for a lobbyist, which is budgeted at $319,611 for Fiscal Year 2026 whereas last fiscal year the budget was $309,428. He noted the council does not have a contracted lobbyist.
Attorney’s Office – Voted 6-1 with Reagor opposed to tentatively approve the $1,500,630 budget. Reagor did not explain why he opposed the budget.
County Manager’s Office – Voted 6-1, with Reagor opposed, to tentatively approve the $25,393,200 budget. Reagor did not explain why he opposed the budget; however he did express confusion regarding how the Regional Development Fund was presented in the budget report. A few items were identified to be discussed later. These items include clarification on the Regional Development Fund and a more detailed breakdown on the Risk Management Fund.
Administrative Services Department – Unanimously voted to tentatively approve the $22,432,928 budget.
Community Development Department – Voted 6-1, with Reagor opposed, to tentatively approve the $17,971,077 budget. The housing fund was set aside to be discussed later. Reagor did not explain why he opposed the budget but he did have questions regarding the Economic Development Fund regarding what has been spent and not spent from the fund.
Community Services Department – Unanimously voted to approve the $33,154,153 budget along with several budget items, which include new full-time positions. These positions are: a program specialist, $178,109; an assistant golf course/ice rink professional, $110,826; a parks and maintenance construction specialist for open space, $99,688; and two parks and maintenance construction specialists for the cemetery and stables, $199,376.
The budget hearings will continue at 6 p.m. today in Council Chambers at the Municipal Building.