Courtesy/LAC

COUNTY News:

In recognition of the services and important contributions Public Works professionals make toward improving quality of life, Los Alamos County Council Chair Denise Derkacs proclaimed the week of May 21-27, 2023, as “National Public Works Week”, sponsored by the American Public Works Association (APWA).

This year’s theme is “Connecting the World Through Public Works”, which challenges communities and their citizens to think about the role public works plays in creating a wonderful place to live. By working together, the impact citizens and public works professionals can have on their communities is magnified and results in the ability to accomplish goals previously thought unattainable.

The County’s Public Works Department, 148 men and women employed in one of nine divisions, work as one entity to serve the community needs and effectively maintain a high quality of life for Los Alamos County residents and businesses. The Public Works Department continually develops innovative ways to deliver services in a cost-effective manner, using environmentally sound practices with a focus on strategic planning and the use of modern technology to meet the needs now and into the future.

DPU’s 9 Divisions include:

• Administration;
• Airport;
• Capital Projects and Facilities;
• Custodial;
• Engineering;
• Environmental Services;
• Fleet;
• Traffic & Streets; and
• Transit.

The functional responsibilities of the Public Works Department encompass the County’s Transportation System, waste collection, recycling and county facilities maintenance. Activities include planning, designing, and construction of the County’s infrastructure; managing the County’s environmental program; operation and maintenance of the County’s fleet, streets and traffic control network; and operation of the Airport and Atomic City Transit. The department is also responsible for providing facility maintenance (custodial, and preventative) services to 47 County buildings.

Since 1960, the American Public Works Association (APWA) has sponsored National Public Works Week. Across North America, more than 28,000 members in the US and Canada use this week to energize and educate the public on the importance of the contribution of public works to their daily lives: planning, building, managing and operating the heart of local communities and building the quality of life.

Visit the Public Works Department webpages for more information. 

Direct comments/questions to lacpw@lacnm.us or call 505.662.8150.