Highlights From LLA Session #3: Local Government

Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on December 24, 2021
- 5:50 am

Los Alamos Teen Center’s Eli Argo makes a public comment during a ‘mock council’ exercise. Photo by Kateri Morris

County Manager Steven Lynne discusses County history, organization and structure. Photo by Kateri Morris

LLA News:

The Leadership of Los Alamos (LLA) Class of 2022 met Dec. 10 for its third session, exploring the structure and function of Los Alamos County Government.

Los Alamos County Deputy County Manager Linda Matteson led and coordinated the session filled with discussions with elected officials, appointed board members and senior county staff as well as several exercises.

The LLA class participated in a public comment exercise in which they approached the podium in Council Chambers to address an issue of importance for the County Council to take into consideration, as they would in an actual Council meeting. They addressed local topics and issues such as the need for affordable housing, safe bike trails, more gym/recreational space; renovation of unused buildings, and improvements on art in public places, the golf course; and the possibility of creating a recreation center for middle school students and Historic District Advisory Board. Residents are welcome to review Council and Board meetings online through the County website.

County Manager Steven Lynne provided LLA participants with an overview of County Government by taking them through its history, characteristics, structure, demographics and budget. He described his role as County manager and personal leadership philosophy, the services the County provides the public, and current issues they are addressing. Lynne concluded with some words of advice to the upcoming leaders: push, have persistence, have patience, be grateful and breathe.

County Utilities Manager Philo Shelton presented an overview of his department’s strategic goals, objectives and initiatives. He said they strive to demonstrate the highest level of excellence in meeting quality standards. Shelton described how DPU uses data, available knowledge, performance measurement systems and performance review to identify opportunities for learning and innovation. He also explained the leadership model and systematic processes necessary to achieve their goals.

In the middle of the day, a panel of key County managers and leaders assembled to discuss the challenges and joys of working for a local government. The panel included: DPU Power Systems Supervisor Jordan Garcia, County Clerk Naomi Maestas, Deputy County Manager Anne Laurent, Human Resources Manage Ty Ryburn and Deputy County Attorney Katie Thwaits.

Topics brought up during the panel discussion included Human Resources recruitment and retention, lessons learned from the pandemic, modifying services, housing construction and availability, and certain privacy and donation clauses and more.

Having served as County councilor for the last four years, Sara Scott informed the LLA class how citizens can get involved and participate in local government. For herself, staying engaged and listening to what community members have to say is the best tool for her as a councilor. Scott explained that the best ways citizens can participate is to engage with county staff and council as much as possible and use them as a resource; be an informed voter; participate on boards, commissions, tasks forces and subcommittees, or serve as an elected official; or simply learn, ask and share.

County Budget Manager Monther Jubran concluded the local government session with an overview of the County budget and discussed a few guiding policies, spending authority and limitations, the County’s financial structure and purpose of each fund by department and division. He also described how the budget is approved after a series of discussions and deliberations. The LLA class was given an assignment to develop a process on how to they would spend $1 million from the general fund. Each group presented their ideas.

About Leadership Los Alamos:

Leadership Los Alamos is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to identify current and emerging leaders in Los Alamos and surrounding communities, to enhance their leadership skills and deepen their knowledge of the challenges and opportunities facing the community.

Each class learns about a variety of topics like community organizations, cultural and history, youth, education, local government, economic development and environmental issues. For more information, click here.

DPU Manager Philo Shelton discusses the goals, initiatives and processes of DPU. Photo by Kateri Morris

Discussion panel from left, Deputy Manager Linda Matteson, DPU Power Systems Supervisor Jordan Garcia, County Clerk Naomi Maestas, Deputy County Manager Anne Laurent, HR Manager Ty Ryburn and Deputy County Attorney Katie Thwaits. Photo by Kateri Morris