Los Alamos County Council listens to department budget presentations during the second night of FY 26 Budget Hearings Tuesday in Council Chambers at the Municipal Building. Screenshot/LADP
Staff Report:
The Los Alamos County Council held its second night of Budget Hearings for Fiscal Year 2026 Tuesday in Council Chambers at the Municipal Building.
Council tentatively approved the following proposed department budgets:
County Clerk – Council voted 6-1, with Councilor Melanee Hand opposed, to tentatively approve the County Clerk’s budget of $1,333,520. Council also tentatively approved a $250,000 budget option for indexing and redacting historical documents. Although the budget option was tentatively approved, at Hand’s request, it was set aside for more discussion.
Assessor’s Office – Council voted unanimously to tentatively approve the $1,041,202 budget.
Sheriff’s Office – Council voted unanimously to tentatively approve the $17,762 budget.
Municipal Court – Council voted unanimously to tentatively approve the $909,44 budget.
Probate Court – Council voted unanimously to tentatively approve the $8,496 budget.
Fire Department – Council voted unanimously to tentatively approve the $56,472,166 budget.
Police Department – Council voted unanimously to tentatively approve the $17,226,071 budget along with three budget options, which included the following: one sergeant and one officer for the traffic and speed unit, $260,000; two outfitted patrol vehicles designated for traffic and speed camera duties, $200,000; and speed cameras, $300,000. Although the budget options were tentatively approved, it was decided to discuss them further.
Public Works – Council voted unanimously to tentatively approve the $69,297,959 budget along with an option for an additional $250,000 for storm water management.
Non Departmental Budget – Council voted 6-1 with Councilor David Reagor opposed, to tentatively approve a budget of $10,363,787 for the Emergency Declarations Fund and Debt Service.
Capital Improvement Projects – Received a report on the capital improvement projects included in the Fiscal Year 2026 budget. This does not require a separate approval.
The budget hearings will continue at 6 p.m. today in Council Chambers at the Municipal Building.