The Regular meeting of the Kiowa County Commissioners was called to order on August 15, 2024, at 9:10 a.m. by Chairman Donald Oswald. Commissioner Butch Robertson 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

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

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

Agenda: Oswald moved, and Robertson seconded the motion to approve the agenda as amended with the following additions: Motion carried. 

Grant Updates: 

Grant Update. Adamson introduced the subject of seating and decking for the Fairground Grandstand. She is working with Hutton to get a quote for this project. Lastly, it was suggested to go with aluminum seating. Adamson is researching a possible grant for this project. 

The ARP Funding update: $30,000.00 was requested from the SCEDD for Broadband and Bonus salaries. $ 261,030.00 is currently available. After further discussion, the BOCC decided to set a date for a Work Session to discuss fund dispersal. These funds must either be dispersed by the end of 2025, or they will be returned.

Meagan Hillman, Public Health; Shellie Engelhardt, Emergency Manager, and Dennis Pearson, Director of Social Service entered the meeting at 9:57 a.m. as members of the Board of Health. 

Oswald moved to recess the regular meeting and enter into the Board of Health meeting and Lening seconded at 9:59 a.m. Motion carried. Oswald moved, and Robertson seconded the motion to end the Board of Health meeting and re-enter the regular meeting at 10:40 a.m. Motion carried. 

Meagan Hillman and Shellie Engelhardt exited the meeting at 10:44 a.m. Mr. Pearson remained in the meeting to provide a monthly report for the Department of Social Services. 

Pearson reported that the August count for commodities was low, due to notification cards being sent late. 

Pearson explained that CORE Services is requesting that all their documents be completed by docu-sign. Pearson exited the meeting at 11:00 a.m. 

Landfill /Recycling Updates: Adamson had received a call from TC Crusher located in Lamar. Adamson said they offered fair pricing for crushing concrete at the landfill. The BOCC said they would be interested in hearing what more they might be able to do for the county. Adamson will contact them and set up a time the Commissioners could review what services he had to offer. 

Planning & Zoning/Land Use: The BOCC reviewed the Zoning Certificate that had been developed. After discussions, Lening moved, and Robertson seconded the motion to approve the Zoning Certificate Application as prepared. Motion carried. 

Repairs Update (Fairgrounds: Doors, Seating, Roof) Administrator Adamson provided an update on all repairs that were taking place:

Courthouse: The gutter system is being replaced as of today.

Sidewalks: They are going to change the level of the sidewalk on the north side of the Courthouse. 

Oswald moved, and Robertson seconded the motion to recess for lunch 12:08 p.m. Motion carried. The regular session resumed at 1:30 p.m.

Jeff Scranton, Landfill Operator entered the meeting to report the south side of the landfill is full. Scranton explained how they used the cement from the courthouse sidewalk for the driving area in the trench. 

4:00 p.m. Oswald moved to go into Executive Session, Lening seconded. Motion carried.

Oswald moved, and Lening seconded the motion to move back into regular session at 4:30 p.m. Motion carried. 

SB24-131: No action taken. 

Model Traffic Code: was reviewed, with Sheriff Williams and Under Sheriff Marlow. Chairman Oswald moved to allocate 35% of the County's portion of the citation fees to the Sheriff Surcharge Fund. This will be used for equipment and training only. Lening seconded the motion, motion carried. 

GIS Update: Adamson reported that they are about 85% completed for the whole County. This program will have pertinent property owner's information, which will be available to the public upon completion of the project.

Report and Upcoming Meetings were reviewed and signed. 

NEW BUSINESS: 

New Hire Report: Two employees were on the new hire report. Both Supervisors reported the employees were working out well.

PUC Electric Rules for Sand Creek: Lening moved to approve the comments that Adamson had written on behalf of the BOCC pertaining to the PUC Rules. Robertson seconded the motion. Motion carried. 

LAVAA Resolution of Participation for 2025: Lening moved, to approve the LAVAA Resolution of Participation for 2025. Robertson seconded the motion. Motion carried. 

Maintenance Estimates: Maintenance Foreman Johnson said the Cub Cadet mower is in need of major repair. The motor is going out and to replace the motor it will be around $2,500.00. Discussion ensued. It was agreed by the BOCC for Foreman Johnson to do some research for another mower. 

Damaged Pickup: Robertson moved, and Lening seconded the motion to pay $3800.00 for damages incurred to another vehicle during the Eads street overlay project. Roll Call vote: Oswald- "yes", Robertson- "yes", Lening- "yes". Motion carried. 

Robertson moved, and Lening seconded the motion to pay Robert Kern as Interim Road and Bridge Foreman an additional $250.00 per month, motion carried. 

Lening and Robertson approved comments on the PUC proceeding #24R-0306E, referencing the Electric Rules on Sand Creek Massacre Site. 

At 5:25pm Lening moved to adjourn the BOCC Meeting, Robertson seconded the motion, motion carried.

County Clerk, Delisa Weeks

Chairman, Donald Oswald