Editor,

For the County Council meeting on February 25 at 6 p.m., there will be 4 agenda items regarding Department of Public Utilities profit transfers to the general fund and franchise fees.  These transfers and fees are in lieu of using the profits directly for DPU infrastructure projects or lowering utility rates.

As one of the councilors pointed out in prior meetings, if these profits are transferred from the DPU to the general fund, and are not used for utility projects or to lower utility rates, they function as an additional county tax with a disproportionate impact on those county residents with lower incomes.

With the Los Alamos National Laboratory generated NMGRT, the county general fund is not in need of these additional revenue sources.  Please share your thoughts with your councilors prior to the meeting.

DAVID HAMPTON