Title
Introduction of Incorporated County of Los Alamos Code Ordinance No. 02-374; an Ordinance Amending Chapter 2, Article III, Section 2-111, of the Code of the Incorporated County of Los Alamos Adjusting the Compensation of the County Council
Recommended Action
I introduce, without prejudice, Incorporated County of Los Alamos Code Ordinance No. 02-374; an Ordinance Amending Chapter 2, Article III, Section 2-111, of the Code of the Incorporated County of Los Alamos Adjusting the Compensation of the County Council and ask the staff to assure that it is published as provided in the County Charter.
Body
The County Council has had several discussions about the salaries of the elected officials. At the Council meeting on November 18, 2025, the following action was taken:
A motion was made by Councilor Herrmann, seconded by Councilor Neal-Clinton, that Council direct the County Manager to finalize ordinances to revise the Councilor salary to $37,000. The motion passed 5-1.
This code ordinance No. 02-374 is the mechanism necessary to revise the compensation for the members of the County Council. Two items to note for this ordinance are:
1. Article IV, Section 27 of the New Mexico Constitution forbids any increase or decrease in an elected official’s compensation during the elected official’s term of office; therefore, these revised salaries will take effect the first day of the new term after election in November 2026.
2. A clause was added to review Councilor compensation on a regular basis; approximately every four years.
Proposed Public Hearing Scheduled for January 6, 2026.
Alternatives
Council could not introduce this ordinance and ask for changes to the ordinance.
Fiscal and Staff Impact/Unplanned Item
There is minimal staff impact due to this change to compensation and the fiscal impact will be incorporated into the Council budget in the appropriate years. The increase per Councilor is approximately $24,326/year.
Attachments
A - Incorporated County of Los Alamos Code Ordinance No. 02-374