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Council adopts tax-rebate extension, approves DWI grant application and revises library policy; accepts FY2024 audit
Summary
At its Jan. 28 meeting the Los Alamos County Council approved reauthorizing a low‑income property tax rebate for four more years, authorized submission of a local DWI grant application, adopted revised library policies, and accepted the FY2024 annual comprehensive financial report and audit; several votes were unanimous.
Los Alamos County Council on Jan. 28 approved a package of ordinances, resolutions and administrative items, voting unanimously on multiple measures after presentations by county staff and outside auditors.
The council voted to continue participation in New Mexicostatetax-rebate program for eligible low-income county property taxpayers for taxable years 2025through 2028 by adopting ordinance number 737. Melissa Dasey, presenting the program background, told the council that the county first joined the program in 2001 and that rebate claims for FY2024 totaled $12,178. Dasey said the county would be responsible to reimburse the New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department for any rebates paid under the program. The council passed the ordinance by roll call, 7-0.
The council also approved Resolution 25-02 authorizing submission of an application to the New Mexico Department of Finance and Administration (Local Government Division) to participate in the Local DWI (LDWI) Grant and Distribution Program. Sarah Martinez, the county DWI coordinator, described the grant request and distribution: the county could receive distribution funds of about $88,356 and staff planned to request roughly $52,000 in the competitive grant to cover treatment contracts and law enforcement activities. The resolution passed by voice/roll call, 7-0.
On library governance, Gwen Calabaso and Library Board Chair Elizabeth Stell presented proposed comprehensive revisions to the county library policies. Revisions updated operational principles, clarified public involvement and reconsideration procedures, added collection selection criteria and a new section on programs and events, and allowed the library manager to reduce certain overdue or replacement fees under stated conditions. Councilor Reedy moved adoption and asked to change the phrase "equal and inclusive access" to "equitable and inclusive access" in section 3.1.5; the motion to adopt with that wording amendment passed 7-0.
The council also accepted the FY2024 annual comprehensive financial report (ACFR) and the independent auditor Hinkle & Landersopinion. Deputy auditor Farley Venter reported a clean (unmodified) opinion and no audit findings. The county's government-wide net position was reported at about $633.5 million at June 30, 2024, an increase from 2023; the auditors and county staff attributed much of the year-over-year changes to additional interest income, gross receipts tax increases and a settlement related to utility activities. The acceptance motion passed 7-0.
Procedural items including approval of the agenda and the consent agenda were approved earlier in the meeting without objection.
Votes at a glance
- Ordinance 737 (Personal income tax rebate for eligible low-income property taxpayers, taxable years 2025to 2028): Moved by Councilor Hand; seconded; outcome: adopted; tally: 7-0.
- Ordinance 738 (introduction only) Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) program: Introduced without prejudice by Councilor Reiting; staff directed to publish per county charter; no final adoption vote on Jan. 28 (first-reading/introductory action).
- Resolution 25-02 (Authorize application to DFA Local DWI grant and distribution program; approve council chair signature on required MOU and assurances): Moved by Councilor Hand; seconded by Councilor Herrmann; outcome: approved; tally: 7-0. Distribution funds potentially $88,356; grant request about $52,000 (as presented by DWI coordinator Sarah Martinez).
- Library policy revisions (administrative policies, collection development, reconsideration process, programs and events): Moved by Councilor Reedy; seconded by Councilor Hand; outcome: adopted (with wording change to replace "equal" with "equitable" in section 3.1.5); tally: 7-0.
- Acceptance of FY2024 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report and audit (ACFR): Moved by Councilor Neil Clinton; seconded by Councilor Reedy; outcome: accepted; tally: 7-0. Auditor Hinkle & Landers issued an unmodified (clean) opinion; no audit findings reported.
What council asked for next
Councilors requested additional information and presentations in several areas: staff were asked to provide details about the C-PACE program implementation (ordinance introduction), the low-income property tax rebate program outreach and prior participation numbers, and written scope/timeline/budget information for the Performing Arts Center abatement raised by public commenters. The county manager said staff would follow up and provide additional reports to council.
