The Regular meeting of the Kiowa County Commissioners was called to order on July 30, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. by Chairman Donald Oswald.

Present

• Donald Oswald, Chairman
• Howard "Butch" Robertson, Commissioner
• Mike Lening, Commissioner –
• Virtual Adrienne Yates, County Clerk
• Tina Adamson, County Administrator

Members of Audience

Call to Order

• Chairman Donald Oswald called to order at 9:00 a.m.
• Commissioner Lening opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance
• Commissioner Robertson moved to approve the minutes from July 14, 2026. Lening seconded. Motion carried.
• Commissioner Lening moved to approve the vouchers as presented; Oswald seconded, motion carried.
• Commissioner Lening moved to approve the agenda with 4 additions; Robertson seconded. Motion carried.

Old Business

Grant Updates: Construction for transit building will need to be delayed until after fair. Adamson got an estimate on the mini-split for the gun club, the windows were -$5000 and the mini-split is $5762, which should be good for one of the mini-grants. Adamson will contact Josh Brown about doing the cement on the east side of the courthouse and recycling container cement pads on the east end, and a generator cement pad.

Landfill / Recycling Update/ Shredder/ EDOP: There was discussion about the recycling containers in Towner being used for trash and options to avoid that. Shredder is in Denver and should be here around August 11-13. The EDOP for the shredder has been sent to the state, just waiting on their reply of what is approved. There has been one applicant for the landfill position currently.

Housing: Cactus Comer still needs some fixes before occupancy can begin. Also waiting for inspector to sign off on the steps.

Planning & Zoning Update: Quarterly P&Z meeting scheduled for August 4th. Several permit applications have been submitted for solar projects. A public hearing for JUWl's project is scheduled for August 7 at 10:00 am. Adamson talked to the Railroad about upgrading the crossing on CR 8 because of the impending project. The railroad will get Adamson an estimate for different materials and advised it's usually a 50/50 split.

Road & Bridge: There was discussion about landowners plowing and planting the ROW. The BOCC agreed to send the landowner/farmer a letter advising the plowing and planting in the ROW is not allowed and if future infractions occur there could be more severe action taken.

Sales/ Use Tax: Wording and language for the ballot question was discussed.

Google WS Implementation: $1,470 quote was provided by SIPA for 25 google workspace licenses, a grant was awarded by SIPA to cover the first year of .gov domain for the county. Lening motioned to approve and sign, Robertson seconded. Motion carried.

Repairs Update/ Quotes: BOCC approved using a mini grant for a new AC for the community building. Adamson is waiting to hear back from the floor contractor from the community building.

Appointments

Audrey Johnson, DSS Director: Johnson entered the meeting at 10:57 p.m. Johnson shared there is a review at DSS on August 13th that is scheduled from 9 am - 5 pm. Prior to the review Johnson has been given a list of county policies to share. Johnson's office will be working on the required internal policies. There will be a review of SNAP in 2027 for the county. Johnson exited the meeting at 11:35 am

Executive Session: Per CRS 24-6-402(f)(I) for Personnel Matters. Lening moved to enter executive session at 11:35 am, Robertson seconded, motion carried. At 12:19 pm. Oswald moved to exit executive session and resume regular session, Robertson seconded, motion carried. Regular session resumed at 12: 19 via motion by Oswald, seconded by Lening.

New Business

Monthly reports were handed out to the Board.

Time-Off Requests: Possibly 1 for next week. Lening moved, Robertson seconded to approve time off request.

New Hire Progress Report / Staff Update: The sheriff's office lost a deputy, 1 has been hired for maintenance, and R&B lost another employee.

Letter to Property Owner - ROW: Board will have Adamson send a landowner/farmer letter.

911 Board: Adamson has talked to S. Englehardt about committing but will talk with the EMS team as well.

Emergency Management: Shelly Englehardt requested discussion about placing storm shelters and increasing her storage area. She has been awarded a grant for the storm shelters, the county can decide the size and number of shelters. Robertson moved, Lening seconded to approve of getting 30 people shelters. Lening moved, Robertson seconded to allow $15,000 for EM storage.

Brophy's Tour: Lening will contact to schedule for 1 possibly 2 commissioners to attend on August 14th

East End Seniors: Lening received a letter regarding some ongoing Issues with missing items and payments. Adamson will send a letter with payment and how to submit requests going forward.

Adjournment

With no further business, Lening moved to adjourn at 2:11 pm; Robertson seconded. Motion carried. Next Regular Meeting: Thursday, August 13, 2026, at 9:00 a.m.

/s/Donald Oswald 8-13-2026

Donald Oswald, Chairman BOCC

/s/ Adrienne Yates

Adrienne Yates, County Clerk