The Regular meeting of the Kiowa County Commissioners was called to order on, April 24, 2025; at 9:01 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 
• Tina Adamson, County Administrator

Minutes: The minutes for the March 27th and the April 10th meetings were reviewed. Butch Robertson moved and Donald Oswald seconded to approve both sets of minutes, motion carried. 

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

Agenda: Oswald moved to approve the agenda as presented with the addition of 1041 Study Fee Agreement under new business #11. Robertson seconded the motion. Motion carried. 

Members of the Audience: Natacha Kiler ,lnvenergy 

OLD BUSINESS: 

Grant Updates: Adamson has sent a request for estimates to 2 plumbers and 2 electricians for the CDOT Transit/Coroner Building Grant. Adamson has applied for a SECOG Mini Grant for the sidewalks on the East side of the Courthouse and also for 4 new interior doors under the grandstands at the fairgrounds. These two will be on the 2024 grant funds. We will apply for three more in July for 2025. The cooperative purchasing agreement with the State of Washington for the FASTER grant for the new transit bus and another mini-van was presented. Robertson moved and Lening seconded to approve the agreement, Oswald called for a roll call vote, Robertson voted yes, Lening voted yes and Oswald voted yes. Adamson gave an update on the progress of the Legion Hall project and changes to the budget for the SHF Grant. The grant has been extended to June of 2026 and the current estimated completion of the project is December of 2025. 

Landfill/Recycling Update: The Road & Bridge crew are going to help haul dirt from the canal cleaning to the landfill for daily cover next week. The annual inspection is scheduled for the end of May. 

Housing Update: There has been no work completed recently on the Cactus Corner Apartments. SECED is actively trying to get bids for the completion of the project. The Sheridan Lake housing proposals were discussed. 

Planning and Zoning Update: The County and lnvenergy are working towards a proposed settlement agreement for the legal action. Our 1041 Attorney drafted a settlement agreement which will be reviewed with all parties in an executive session this afternoon.

Road & Bridge: A resident has requested that the county sell and deliver a load of gravel to them. Our gravel policy was reviewed and it was agreed that we will sell the gravel but the resident must haul or pay someone else to haul it. We are working on the request to add a county road near Sheridan Lake. A landowner accidentally plowed the road so we were required to repair the road right away. 

Redistricting: The Board of Commissioners have agreed to attempting to form a committee with adequate representation from all areas of the county and political affiliations to assist with mapping for the redistricting process. Any residents that are interested should provide a letter of interest to the Commissioners by the end of May. The Administrator will reach out to Colorado College again to see if they have made any progress with the mapping also. 

At 11:00 a.m. Emergency Manager, Shellie Englehardt, and Seargent Hogue entered the meeting with Battalion Chief, Jon Brewer and Resource Coordination Battalion Chief, Shannon Byerly with the DFPC for a Division of Fire Prevention & Control update. Brewer described equipment and mutual aid resources that are available upon request by the County for support in fighting fires. Most of the mutual aid resources provided within the first 48 hours are at no cost to the County. 

Airport Land - Tabled 

McKenna Farley with Congresswoman Boeberts office entered the meeting at 11:35 to give an update on Representative Boeberts activities and learn about Kiowa County's needs and interests. 

Recessed for lunch at 12:22 p.m. 

Meeting resumed at 1:28 p.m. 

DSS Update: Pearson submitted a TANF/Colorado Works Program annual MOU for approval. Robertson moved and Lening seconded, motion carried. Pearson and Johnson joined to discuss the wages for various DHS positions due to the change in leadership and lack of applicants. They will continue to advertise for a child welfare case worker. Lening moved and Robertson seconded to approve the proposed wage adjustments, Option #1 for the Director, $.85/hour increase for Office Manager and $1.00/hour increase for Case Worker position. Roll call vote was taken, all voted affirmative. Oswald moved and Lening seconded to appoint Audrey Johnson as the new Social Services Director for Kiowa County. Motion carried. Pearson submitted his formal retirement notice. The Commissioners thanked him for his 32+ years of service to Kiowa County. 

Upcoming Meeting and Reports were reviewed and signed. 

NEW BUSINESS: 

Leave Donation Request: A leave donation request was reviewed. Oswald moved, Lening seconded, motion carried. 

Fair Parade Theme Contest: Out of the fourteen entries for the 2025 Fair Parade Theme, the Commissioner and Fair Board chose Alicia James submission of "Cowboy Boots & Buckin' Chutes". The Board thanks all of those who submitted themes this year.

Kelly Courkamp and Chris Morgan entered the meeting at 2:21 to give a Library update to the Commissioners. They discussed their vision for the future of the Library and updates on the new library location. 

Zoning Certificate Application: A zoning certificate application was submitted for an AG shed. 

Allen Watts and Shane Lessenden entered at 3:00 to discuss Road & Bridge issues. Lessenden stated that the road that was plowed has been repaired. Watts mentioned roads that have flooded in last night’s storm. Plans to haul the dirt that was donated to the landfill was discussed. Lessenden found crack seal oil at a significant savings. 

The lnvenergy Road Use Agreement and right of way permits were tabled. The settlement agreement . No action was taken. 

Lening moved to go out of regular session, Robertson seconded at 3:03 p.m. Motion carried. 

Oswald moved to go into executive session pursuant to C.R.S. 24-6-402 (4)(b) & (e) (I} for purposes of attorney consultation, 106 Actions and 1041 regulations, Robertson seconded at 3:03 p.m. Motion carried.

Robertson moved to adjourn executive session, Lening seconded at 4:40 p.m. Motion carried. 

The next regular Commissioner's meeting is May 15, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. 

With no other business to conduct, Oswald moved to adjourn, Lening seconded, Motion carried. 

Meeting adjourned at 4:42 p.m.

Donald Oswald, Chairman