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Inclusivity Task Force presents interim report and gains extension to February 2026
Summary
The council approved an extension of the Inclusivity Task Force charter to Feb. 28, 2026, after the task force presented interim work plans and described focused working groups on accessibility, BIPOC/cultural issues, economic equity, LGBTQ+ matters and justice-system interaction.
The Inclusivity Task Force presented an interim report to the Los Alamos County Council on June 24 outlining its working groups, planned assessments and requests of council. The council voted unanimously to extend the task force charter through Feb. 28, 2026.
Task force chair (presenter) described the group's structure: working groups focused on LGBTQ+, accessibility, BIPOC and cultural issues, economic equity and justice-system interactions. The groups plan assessments of community needs, targeted outreach, and "low-hanging fruit" improvements — small-scale actions that the task force believes could produce measurable improvements quickly while longer-term recommendations are developed.
The accessibility working group has toured county facilities and is compiling short-term improvement ideas across mobility, sight and hearing needs, and neurodivergent accessibility. The BIPOC/cultural working group is considering guest speaker series, cultural visibility projects and ways to expand access to outdoor recreational opportunities. The economic-equity group is developing questions and data sources to study cost of living, housing and transportation. The justice-system group plans to review how community members interact with police, courts and related services and identify barriers such as transportation or awareness of victim-advocate services.
Task force members asked for continuing staff support and access to raw data from county surveys; they requested the extension so working groups can complete assessments by November and compile an integrated report for council by February 2026. Rachel Kazzier, a task force member, noted the chair's late arrival and provided interim remarks. In public comment, task force member Karen Edwards said the group is working to "bring the invisible residents of the town" into community activities and thanked the council for support.
Councilor Reiting moved approval of the revised charter with a new term expiration date of Feb. 28, 2026; Councilor Herman seconded. A roll call recorded unanimous approval (7-0).
