County of Los Alamos - File #: CO0711-25.2

• File #: CO0711-25.2
• Version: 1
• Type: Code Ordinance
• Status: Public Hearing
• File created: 2/13/2025
• In control: Board of Public Utilities
• On agenda: 4/16/2025
• Final action: 4/16/2025
• Title: Approval & Recommendation of Incorporated County of Los Alamos Code Ordinance No. 02-365; An Ordinance Amending Chapter 40, Article III, Sections 40-121, 40-122 and 40-123 Relating to Electric Rate Schedules, Electric Customer Service Charges and Electric Energy Charges
• Presenters: Karen Kendall; 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: CO0712-25.1

Title

Approval & Recommendation of Incorporated County of Los Alamos Code Ordinance No. 02-365; An Ordinance Amending Chapter 40, Article III, Sections 40-121, 40-122 and 40-123 Relating to Electric Rate Schedules, Electric Customer Service Charges and Electric Energy Charges

Recommended Action

I move that the Board recommend Incorporated County of Los Alamos Ordinance No. 02-365 and forward to Council for introduction and adoption.  I further move that staff publish as provided in the County Charter.

Alternate Action - Elimination of Time of Use & Residential Demand

I move that the Board recommend Incorporated County of Los Alamos Code Ordinance No. 02-365; An Ordinance Amending Chapter 40, Article III, Sections 40-121, 40-122 and 40-123 Relating to Electric Rate Schedules, Electric Customer Service Charges and

Electric Energy Charges with time of use and residential demand rate structure removed and forward to Council for introduction and adoption. I further move that staff publish as provided in the County Charter.

Note: if the alternate motion is made, the ordinance will be introduced with the yellow highlighted sections removed. See attached.

Utilities Manager's Recommendation

The Utilities Manager recommend that the Board recommend this Ordinance with Time of Use and Demand rates because it encourages conservation and transition to renewable resources while meeting system funding needs, and forward to Council for introduction and adoption. 

Body

Staff has made a series of presentations to the Board providing financial snapshots of the Electric Distribution Fund and the need for increased rates for FY2026 and FY2027.  Staff presented to the Board of Public Utilities on February 5th and March 5th. UAMPS also presented a Financial Assessment of the Electric Fund and made rate observations which included 1) "the utility doesn't seem to have consistent rate adjustments, resulting in operating losses" and 2) "National average (residen...