Title
BPU Educational Opportunity: UAMPS Annual Member Conference - August 17-19, 2025
Recommended Action
I move that the Board of Public Utilities approve travel expenses for Board Member(s) [NAMES] to attend the 2025 UAMPS Member Conference in an amount not to exceed $2,500.00 per member.
Utilities Manager's Recommendation
The Utilities Manager recommends that the Board approve the motion as presented.
Body
As part of the FY2026 Strategic Focus Areas, Goals and Objectives, Goal 3.0 focuses on customers and community. Specifically, Objective 3.4 seeks to "Educate Board Members on markets, contracts, and production options for all aspects of the utility systems." An opportunity to do that is available through the Utah Associated Municipal Power Systems. UAMPS is a full-service interlocal agency that provides comprehensive wholesale electric energy services on a non-profit basis to community-owned
power systems throughout the Intermountain West. The UAMPS membership represents 50 members from Utah, Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, and Wyoming. Los Alamos County - Department of Public Utilities is a member and Philo Shelton, Utilities Manager serves on the UAMPS Board of Directors. UAMPS Representatives and Governing Board Members are invited to participate in the Annual Member Conference on August 17-19, 2025 at the Palisades Tahoe in Olympic Valley, CA. Board Members should contact Ms. Kathy Casados, as soon as possible if interested in attending. She will also assist with registration, hotel, and airline reservations. Additional information is available online at https://www.uampsevents.com/event/5f053cbf-d125-4d78-b695-926907b7deda/summary and https://www.uampsevents.com/event/5f053cbf-d125-4d78-b695-926907b7deda/agenda.
Alternatives
Members could choose not to attend. Action could be delayed until the next regular meeting of the BPU, which is scheduled for July 16, 2025. However, hotel availability in the conference area will be limited or unavailable.
Fiscal and Staff Impact
The current DPU budget includes a line item for BPU member travel. A copy of the County Travel Policy is included as Attachment A. Board Members are required to submit an IRS Form W-9 (Attachment B) in order to be reimbursed for mileage and per diem.
Attachments
A - Los Alamos County Travel Policy
B - IRS Form W-9
C - UAMPS 2025 Member Conference