Votes at a glance: council adopts low‑income property tax rebate, local DWI grant application, library policy revisions and accepts FY2024 financial report

At its Jan. 28, 2025 meeting the Los Alamos County Council unanimously approved four formal actions: extension of the county’s participation in the state low‑income property tax rebate program, submission of a local DWI (LDWI) grant and distribution application, adoption of revised library policies (with a change suggested by a councilor replacing “equal” with “equitable” in one section), and acceptance of the county’s FY2024 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR).

Summary of votes

- Low‑income property tax rebate (Ordinance No. 737): The council adopted Ordinance No. 737 to continue county participation in the state low‑income taxpayers property tax rebate program for taxable years 2025–2028. The ordinance continues the county’s prior practice of reimbursing the New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department for rebates claimed by eligible county taxpayers. The presenter said the rebate amounts claimed for FY2024 totaled $12,573 and that the county’s estimated annual fiscal impact is between $15,000 and $20,000. Motion: moved by Councilor Hand; seconded by Councilor Neil Clinton. Vote: unanimous, 7–0.

- LDWI grant and distribution (Resolution No. 25‑02): The council adopted Resolution 25‑02 authorizing the county to submit an application to the New Mexico Department of Finance and Administration Local Government Division to participate in the LDWI grant and distribution program for FY26. The staff presentation said the potential distribution funds total $88,356 and that the county will request about $52,000 in competitive grant funding to cover a treatment contract and law-enforcement activities. Motion: moved by Councilor Hand; seconded by Councilor Herrmann. Vote: unanimous, 7–0.

- Library policy revisions (policy update): The council adopted revisions to the Los Alamos County Library policies after a staff presentation by the library manager. Revisions highlighted during the meeting included new language on inclusivity and public‑involvement procedures, clarified procedures for requests for reconsideration of materials (including a review panel process) and a new programs-and-events section. The motion adopted by council also incorporated a change suggested by Councilor Reedy to replace the word “equal” with “equitable” in section 3.1.5. Motion: moved by Councilor Reedy; seconded by Councilor Hand. Vote: unanimous, 7–0.

- Acceptance of FY2024 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR): The council accepted the county’s ACFR for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024. The county’s finance director presented highlights showing the government‑wide ending net position of $633,500,000 (an increase of $120,900,000 from 2023). The independent auditors (Hinkle & Lander) delivered an unmodified (clean) opinion on the financial statements and reported no audit findings for the year. Motion: moved by Councilor Neil Clinton; seconded by Councilor Wrighty. Vote: unanimous, 7–0.

Other formal items and procedures

- The council introduced (no vote) an ordinance to enact a Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy program (CPACE). That ordinance was introduced and will return at a future meeting for public hearing and possible adoption.

Why it matters: The low‑income rebate ordinance keeps a county program in place that helps eligible low‑income property taxpayers claim a rebate administered by the state; the county reimburses the state for rebates claimed. The LDWI resolution secures a routine source of prevention, treatment and enforcement funds. The library policy revisions update longstanding county library rules and add an explicit reconsideration process; councilors agreed to add the word “equitable” to better reflect access needs. Acceptance of the ACFR and the auditor’s clean opinion confirm the county’s audited financial statements for FY2024 and signal no formal audit findings.

Documents and fiscal notes referenced at the meeting: presenters cited the FY2024 ACFR figures and the FY2024 rebate total ($12,573); staff estimated county reimbursement at $15,000–$20,000 a year for the rebate program and listed LDWI distribution funds at $88,356 with an approximately $52,000 grant request. The auditors and finance staff also noted a one‑time business‑type net increase tied to an agreement with UNIPER (auditors and finance staff said the electric/utility fund holds $58,000,000 from that settlement, invested in LGIP and laddered investments).