County council adopts Guaje Pines Cemetery master plan after presentation from consultants

Los Alamos County Council voted unanimously Nov. 4 to adopt the Guaje Pines Cemetery master plan after a brief recap from staff and consultants.

Wendy Parker, a county staff member, said the October presentation was repeated as a quick recap and that the plan aims to ensure cemetery capacity for residents for decades. Parker said the plan anticipates roughly 70 years of combined capacity when in‑ground burials and expanded columbarium (above‑ground urn) options are aggregated and that staff would prioritize building two new columbariums to address immediate demand.

Consultant Stephanie Sloan, who participated in the October presentation, said capital investments outlined in the master plan range from about $3.3 million on the low end to about $6.5 million on the high end. She noted construction costs are elevated in Los Alamos because “everything has to get on and off the hill” and that the low end of the estimate, plus or minus about 20 percent, is realistic given available county capabilities.

Parker told council the cemetery’s perpetual fund balance is roughly $1.2 million and that current practice directs 60 percent of plot proceeds to the perpetual fund and 40 percent to operations; a budget adjustment will be required to allocate funds for initial construction and design.

Councilors asked about timing and outreach. Parker said staff expects to begin selling new columbarium spaces in about six months and will return with budget adjustments before next spring to cover initial steps.

Councilor Veil Clinton moved to adopt the Guaje Pines Cemetery master plan; a second was recorded and the motion passed on a 7–0 roll call.

The council thanked staff and the consulting team for their presentations and availability.