County of Los Alamos - File #: CO0746-26

• File #: CO0746-26
• Version: 1
• Type: Code Ordinance
• Status: Introduction of Ordinance
• File created: 2/19/2026
• In control: County Council - Regular Session
• On agenda: 6/9/2026
• Title: Introduction of Incorporated County of Los Alamos Code Ordinance No. 02-380; An Ordinance Amending the Department of Public Utilities' Water Service Rate Schedules, Chapter 40, Article III, Sections 40-171, 40-173 and 40-175, and adding new Sections 40-176, 40-177, and 40-178 to the Incorporated County of Los Alamos Code
• Presenters: Joann Gentry
• Indexes (Council Goals): Quality Excellence - Effective, Efficient, and Reliable Services, Quality Governance - Fiscal Stewardship, DPU FY26 - 1.0 Provide Safe and Reliable Utility Services, DPU FY26 - 2.0 Achieve and Maintain Excellence in Financial Performance
• Related files: CO0746-26.2, CO0746-26.1

Title

Introduction of Incorporated County of Los Alamos Code Ordinance No. 02-380; An Ordinance Amending the Department of Public Utilities' Water Service Rate Schedules, Chapter 40, Article III, Sections 40-171, 40-173 and 40-175, and adding new Sections 40-176, 40-177, and 40-178 to the Incorporated County of Los Alamos Code

Recommended Action

I introduce, without prejudice, Incorporated County of Los Alamos Code Ordinance No.02-380; An Ordinance Amending the Department of Public Utilities' Water Service Rate Schedules, Chapter 40, Article III, Sections 40-171, 40-173 and 40-175, and adding new Sections 40-176, 40-177, and 40-178 to the Incorporated County of Los Alamos

Code

Utilities Manager's Recommendation

The Utilities Manager recommends that Council introduce this Code Ordinance.

Board, Commission or Committee Recommendation

The Board of Public Utilities introduced this Code Ordinance at their regular meeting on April 15, 2026 and recommended adoption at their regular meeting on May 20, 2026.  The Board recommends that Council introduce this Code Ordinance.

Body

A ten-year forecast for the Water Utility Fund was presented as part of the FY2027 and FY2028 budget process. The forecast incorporates a series of proposed rate increases designed to generate the revenues necessary to sustain current operations and to build the cash reserves required for future infrastructure investments. The proposed rate adjustments include two consecutive 8% increases-one in FY2027 and one in FY2028-for residential, multifamily, commercial, county, and school customers. Projected potable and non-potable water sales are based on five-year averages of 760,000 Kgallons and 97,300 Kgallons, respectively.

During the rate analysis completed for the FY2027 and FY2028 budget, FY2026 sales revenue was estimated at $7.61 million, and it is projected to be around $7.58 million.

This ordinance also establishes new rates for Pajarito Mountain Service Area, i...