The Regular meeting of the Kiowa County Commissioners was called to order on October 28, 2022, at 9:00 a.m. by Chairman Donald Oswald. Commissioner Lening opened the meeting with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.

• Donald Oswald, Chairman 
• Howard "Butch" Robertson, Commissioner Mike Lening, Commissioner 
• Delisa Weeks, County Clerk 
• Tina Adamson, County Administrator
• Members of the audience: Cindy Mcloud 

Minutes: Robertson moved, and Lening seconded the motion to approve the minutes. Motion carried. 

Vouchers: Lening moved, and Robertson seconded the motion to approve the vouchers as presented. Motion carried. 

Agenda: Oswald moved, and Lening seconded the motion to approve the agenda as amended. Additions included Old Business: Planning & Zoning updates and New Business: EMS Building Repairs, Regional Transit and a R & B Complaint. Motion carried. 

Old Business: 

Cindy Mcloud, Director of KCEDF; entered the meeting to provide updates for her office and the grants she is applying for. Mcloud will be attending the Veteran's Dinner on November 11th where she will provide further information on the Legion Hall and the grant she is applying for. 

Mcloud has been attending the Southeast transit meetings in hopes to form stronger ties, which could lead to more tourism for Kiowa County.

Mcloud announced that Kiowa County was officially a Jump Start County and will be providing further information to the 3 municipalities at the council meetings in November. 

Mcloud thanked the BOCC for their time and exited the meeting at 9:45 a.m. Oswald moved, and Robertson seconded the motion to recess from regular meeting and move into the Public Health meeting at 10:00 a.m. Motion carried. 

Those in attendance of the Public Health Meeting were Meagan Hillman, P.A., Shellie Engelhardt, Kiowa County Emergency Manager and Reyna Perez, Accountant for Public Health Office in Lamar. 

Oswald moved, and Robertson seconded the motion to end the Public Health meeting and enter back into regular session at 10:47 a.m. Motion carried. 

Oswald moved, and Robertson seconded to move into the Orsted (CUP) Conditional Use Permit Public Hearing at 11:00 a.m. in regard to permit applications for western Kiowa County. Those in attendance of the Orsted Hearing were Lucas Buseck and Amanda Coletti of Orsted, Brent Frazee, member of audience and Jordan Weirich, County Administrative Assistant. Lucas provided further information as to where the locations of the two MET Towers will be placed in western Kiowa County. One will be placed near County Rd. 31 and D and the other one will be near County Rd 19 and K. 

Oswald moved, and Lening seconded the motion to adjourn the public hearing at 11:19 a.m. Motion carried. Lening moved, and Robertson seconded the motion to approve the permit applications requested by Orsted. Motion carried. 

Those that were present for the Orsted Conditional Use Permit Hearing exited the meeting at 11:25 a.m. 

Planning & Zoning: There will be Planning & Zoning meeting on November 1, 2022. 

Oswald moved and Lening second the motion to recess for lunch at 12:07 p.m. Motion carried. 

The regular meeting reconvened at 1:00 p.m. 

Housing Project Update: Chairman Oswald reported 1 duplex is ready for stuccoing and the second duplex is nearly done. 

Vehicle Insurance: There was discussion on the current vehicle insurance for the county. Adamson reported there were still a few claims from the Sheriff's Office that were in the process stage but had not been completed. 

2023 Budget: The Commissioner's will meet on Nov.3rd to discuss the 2023 budget at 9:00 a.m. 

OLD BUSINESS: 

Grant Updates: Administrator Adamson reported the RREO Grant is waiting on the final documentation and submitting request for reimbursement from Jeff Scranton, Landfill Manager. 

Upcoming meetings and Reports were reviewed and signed. 

Colleen Christmas-Garner, Development Manager for Sure Shot Solar entered the meeting to provide information on the renewable energy system. Garner said there will be a 4,000 acre solar farm going in south of Sheridan Lake.

Road Foreman, Allen Watts entered the meeting at 1:50 p.m. to discuss the latest on the Road & Bridge equipment. There was further discussion over the 2023 Budget. 

Road Foreman Watts exited the meeting at 2:30 p.m. 

NEW BUSINESS: 

Equipment Maintenance Agreements: There are five pieces of equipment that don't have maintenance agreements. The BOCC reviewed the agreements from the Cat Company and all agreed they do not want to do the Maintenance Agreement. 

Employee Resignation: J.W. Ellis submitted his resignation from the Road & Bridge Department. The Commissioners would like to thank Mr. Ellis for his years of service with Kiowa County. 

DSS/PH Assistant: Erica Bellamy, Public Health Office Manager; Discussions are in process to possibly share this position with the Department of Social Services. The Public Health Director and DSS Director will discuss this option and get back to the BOCC. 

Haswell Senior Citizen Center Coordinator Application: The BOCC will be holding an interview this afternoon for an applicant. 

Gifford Memorial: The BOCC reviewed and approved a letter that will be forwarded to the Gifford Family in regard to signage on the state highway. 

EMS Building Repairs: Chairman Oswald moved, and Lening seconded the motion to approve a portion of the repairs to the EMS training facility. Motion carried. 

Regional Transmit: Discussion followed with no decision being made with the Southeast Regional Transit Program. 

Road & Bridge Complaint: A local farmer had contacted a Commissioner in regard to a county mower damaging their crop by mowing in the ditch. No action taken. 

Lening exited the meeting to attend a prior engagement. 

Oswald moved and Robertson seconded the motion to change one employee from full time to part time with health benefits per the Personnel Policy guidelines. This position will no longer receive retirement, PTO or Holiday benefits. This is for a trial period only. Motion carried. 

The next regular meeting will be held on November 9, 2022 at 9:00 a.m.

With no other business to discuss Oswald moved, and Robertson seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting at 4:14 p.m.