County Council adopts FY2026 budget, 6–1; final vote follows GRT guidance

Los Alamos County Council adopted a $367,980,440 FY2026 budget on April 23, approving the proposed spending plan as amended during the budget hearings. The adoption followed council direction earlier in the meeting for staff to prepare a half‑cent gross‑receipts tax (GRT) ordinance and returned with final budget motions that incorporated tentative approvals and selected budget options.

The adopted package included: the long‑range financial projection as discussed in Attachment C; an equipment replacement schedule; a schedule of appropriations for salary adjustments; the Department of Public Utilities schedule of funds; and continuing appropriations from FY2025 identified in Attachment L. Staff told council the proposed FY2026 budget reflects a lower GRT revenue baseline in the current year, and that the models include potential revenue increments and transfers depending on council direction.

On the formal adoption motion, council recorded a roll call with six votes in favor and one opposed; the single no vote came from Councilor Reger. Councilors who supported the budget cited scrubbing and line‑by‑line review by staff, limited budget option increases this year because of revenue uncertainty, and the inclusion of priority funding for utilities and capital needs. The dissenting councilor said the budget approved too many items and included tax increases the council should reconsider.

Ending: With the FY2026 budget adopted, staff will implement the spending plan and return later this year with the ordinance language and revenue modeling as directed for the GRT discussion. Council also scheduled regular financial updates to monitor GRT receipts and reserves.