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Votes at a glance: Board affirms gas supply amendment, approves water conservation plan and redirects FY2025 revenue transfers
Summary
The Board of Public Utilities on Feb. 19 approved a series of procedural and budget‑related items — including an affirmation of a natural gas supply agreement amendment and a redirection of FY2025 revenue transfers — and forwarded matters requiring ordinance action to county council.
Los Alamos — The Board of Public Utilities took a series of formal actions during its Feb. 19 meeting. Motions were routine and included approvals the board typically forwards to county council.
Summary of recorded board actions and outcomes - Agenda approval: The board approved the meeting agenda as published (motion passed 5–0). - Consent agenda: The board approved the consent agenda (motion passed 5–0). - Natural gas supply agreement (affirmation of Incorporated County of Los Alamos Resolution No. 25‑03): The board voted 4–1 to affirm a county resolution authorizing the county to execute a third amendment to the natural gas supply agreement between the county and the New Mexico Municipal Energy Acquisition Authority, and to seek discounts under the amended agreement. The board forwarded the resolution to county council with a recommendation for council consideration. Vote: 4 yes, 1 no. - Water and Energy Conservation Plan (2025 update): The board approved the DPU’s 2025 update to the Water and Energy Conservation Plan as amended. A correction (noted in the meeting) will change a reference to four reclaimed‑water irrigation sites to three. The motion passed 4 yes, 0 no, 1 abstain (Member Stromberg abstained). - Calculation of FY2025 revenue transfer and associated budget revision (budget revision 2025‑37): The board approved staff’s calculation of a revenue transfer equal to 5% of electric and gas revenues as shown in the audited financial statements and forwarded a recommended budget revision to council that redirects those funds to the joint utility fund for specific joint capital projects. The motion included a recommendation that council extend the ordinance authorizing redirecting funds for one additional year; the board approved the motion 5–0. - Audit committee appointment: The board nominated Member Matt Huebner to serve on the county audit committee for calendar year 2025; the motion passed 5–0.
Context and notes - Natural gas supply affirmation: Deputy Utility Manager for Power Supply Ben Ulbrich advised the board that the third amendment could yield cost savings for county gas customers; Mr. Ulbrich and outside adviser George Majors were available online for questions. Board members asked but did not enter extended debate; one member voted nay citing legal concerns about the structure of the agreement. - Revenue transfer mechanics: Staff explained the charter requires the department to budget transfers in a defined order; the county ordinance that governs the “revenue/profit transfer” sets the calculation at 5% of gas and electric revenues. Staff presented the audited figures that produce the FY2025 transfer amounts and the associated budget revision to move the funds into the joint utility fund and then assign them to specific capital projects.
What happens next - Each of the items forwarded to county council will be considered by council in upcoming budget and ordinance sessions. The items that were simply board approvals (agenda, consent) carry no further action beyond the minutes; the items forwarded to council require council review and adoption.
