Council unanimously backs CitiesWork review to help simplify permitting and help small businesses

The Los Alamos County Council voted unanimously to support engaging CitiesWork, a nonprofit project of the Institute for Justice, to evaluate county permitting and licensing processes and recommend reforms to reduce unnecessary burdens on small businesses.

What CitiesWork would do: Presenter Chad Reese described a three‑part approach: comprehensive regulatory research, stakeholder roundtables (including city staff and entrepreneurs) and a customized reform strategy. CitiesWork offers the research and recommendations to municipalities at no charge; staff time is the primary resource required from the county.

Why it matters: Local business supporters told the council the county faces barriers to new stores, restaurants and small enterprises — aging building stock sized for a laboratory town, high landlord rates and confusing permitting pathways. Business coalition members urged council support for an outside review to identify practical fixes and administrative streamlining.

Council direction and next steps: The motion approved directs county staff to work with CitiesWork on a scope that generally starts with research and a focus on restaurants (a business type that hits many permitting processes). Council expects staff to coordinate with the incoming community development director and to return with a more detailed schedule and staffing expectations. The vote was 7–0.

Public support: Local business owners and Main Street representatives spoke in favor of the engagement. One business owner said the engagement offered “a breath of fresh air” and urged the council to take advantage of the free technical assistance.

Ending: CitiesWork said it could begin research soon and will prioritize administrative reforms that are budget neutral where possible; council and staff will develop a work plan and point of contact for the county.