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Board approves sewer and Denver Steels waterline funding; sewer rates to rise 7%
Summary
At its April 16 meeting the Board of Public Utilities recommended a change to sewer rates and approved a loan and subsidy agreement ordinance for Denver Steels waterline replacements with New Mexico Finance Authority funding.
The Los Alamos Board of Public Utilities approved two financing items on April 16: a recommendation on a sewer rate ordinance and affirmation of an ordinance authorizing a loan and subsidy agreement with the New Mexico Finance Authority (NMFA) for waterline replacements in the Denver Steels neighborhood.
Sewer rates: The board recommended incorporation of County Ordinance No. 02366, replacing a previously approved 2% increase with a 7% sewer rate increase effective Oct. 1, 2025, and an additional 7% in FY27. The motion to forward Ordinance 02366 to County Council for introduction and adoption passed unanimously 5–0.
Waterline project and NMFA loan: The board affirmed Ordinance No. 741 to execute a loan and subsidy agreement with NMFA for phases of the Denver Steels water distribution replacement project. The NMFA award totals $2,727,000, including a $625,000 grant; the county will finance $2,102,000 over 20 years at an interest rate of 0.26 percent. The motion to forward Ordinance 741 passed 5–0.
Why it matters: The sewer increases are intended to align revenue with sewer system costs included in the FY26 budget the board adopted earlier; the waterline work will replace aging cast‑iron service lines and distribution mains (some dating from the 1950s) ahead of planned street paving to reduce repeated breaks and outages.
Votes at a glance
- Ordinance 02366 (Sewer rates): Board recommended forward to County Council for introduction and adoption; roll call vote 5–0.
- Ordinance 741 (NMFA loan and subsidy agreement): Board affirmed and recommended forward to County Council; $2,727,000 total award, $625,000 grant, $2,102,000 financed at 0.26% over 20 years; roll call vote 5–0.
Ending
Both items will move to County Council for introduction and subsequent public hearing and adoption actions as the county’s FY26 budget and capital schedule proceed.
