The Regular meeting of the Kiowa County Commissioners was called to order on, February 13, 2025; at 9:00 a.m. by Chairman Donald Oswald. Oswald opened the meeting with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.

• Donald Oswald, Chairman 
• Howard "Butch" Robertson 
• Mike Lening, Commissioner 
• Delisa Weeks, County Clerk Adrienne Yates, Deputy Clerk 
• Tina Adamson, County Administrator

Minutes: Oswald moved, and Lening seconds the motion to approve the minutes of January 30, 2025. Motion carried. 

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

Agenda: Oswald moved to approve the agenda with the three additions: Board Resignation, Board Letter if Interest, and the John Deere Purchase Agreement. Lening seconded the motion. Motion carried. 

OLD BUSINESS: 

Grant Updates: Mini grants - Administrator Adamson has a list of items that need addressed such as the, east sidewalk of the courthouse needs to be redone due to leaks. Chairman Oswald had received a question regarding additional 220 voltage outlets for vendors use during fair. Oswald inquired about an update on roll up doors at the fairgrounds. Adamson will be getting an estimate on the roll up doors. No interest so far from towns on mini grants. 

Discussion ensued over the new transit garage that is being built. The cost for the construction and cement is $184,700. When this project is completed the County Coroner Office will be housed there as well as the Transit vehicles. 

Lisa Schlotterhausen with SCEDD, is working on a grant for a generator at the courthouse. Adamson is still gathering information on the cost and location of generator. Oswald suggested contacting Eastern Slope on boring a line when the new generator is being installed. 

Chairman Oswald moved and Lening seconded to recess the regular meeting and move into the Public Hearing for Excel/PSCO 1041 Permit Amendment at 10:07 a.m. Motion carried. Those in attendance of the hearing were:

• Administrator Adamson 
• Donald Oswald, Chairman 
• Howard "Butch" Robertson, Commissioner
• Mike Lening, Commissioner 
• Delisa Weeks, Clerk 
• John Peckler 
• Jennifer Bell 
• Ryann Loomis 
• Ashley Valdez 
• Dawn Burk 
• Jenn Chester 
• Abraham Adesoya 
• Stephan Grenier 
• Dusty Tallman 

Oswald moved and Robertson seconded to adjourn the Public Hearing and move back into regular session at the motion at 10:42. Motion carried. 

Administrator Adamson read the 1041 Permit Amendment Resolution to the audience. 

Lening moved and Robertson seconded the motion to approve and sign Resolution 2025-03 1041 Permit Amendment. Motion carried. 

Cindy McLoud, Kiowa County Economic Development (KCEDF) entered the meeting to address tourism for Kiowa County and other items that KCEDF has assisted with in the past. 

Justin Causey with lnvenergy spoke on the Road Use Agreement. lnvenergy will be submitting the agreement for approval. 

Robertson moved and Lening seconded to recess the meeting for lunch at 12:05 p.m. Motion carried. The regular meeting reconvened at 1:20 p.m.

Landfill/Recycling Update: The Fork Lift purchase was made. 

Dennis Pearson, Director for Department of Social Services entered the meeting to provide a monthly report: 4 Contracts - #1; child support to continue with Prowers County same as last year, increased mileage some. Lening moved to approve the contract with Prowers County for one year for continued service in Child Support. Robertson seconded. Roll call was taken: Robertson- yes, Lening - yes, Oswald -yes. 

#2 Collaborative Management (Family Voice Project) - Contracts with NE Health Partners in Lamar, will be putting forth majority of cost to train local people on how to express themselves when discussing their experiences with DSS. NE Health Partners will cover up to $4000 for this project and, any cost over would be split by the 4 involved counties. 3 separate contracts were presented for the employees at NE Health. If there is any excess of funds to this project the Collaborative Management Account {which is funded by the State) would be used. Robertson moved to approve with 3 names announced, Oswald seconds. Roll call - Robertson yes, Lening yes, Oswald yes. The 3 employees approved were John Rodriguez, Maria Gutierrez and Alicia Mungaray. 

DSS does not have a contract for legal counsel this year with Don Steerman. Pearson said they always had one signed in the past. Pearson will continue to follow up, with Don Steerman. 

2024 Budget: Pearson had spoken with Ronnie Farmer, County Auditor in regard to the DSS budget for 2024 was over by 11%. This was due to a system glitch for funding from the state for one month. Chairman Oswald discussed the 20% match portion would have to come from the County General Fund. Farmer said there will be a note attached for reference in the upcoming audit. 

Pearson requested an executive session with the BOCC in regards to a personnel matter. Oswald moves to recess the regular session and move into executive session at 1:39 p.m. Robertson seconded the motion. Motion carried. Pursuant to Colorado Revised Statutes, Title 24, Article 6, Section 402, at subsection 4(F)(1) to go into executive session to discuss a personnel matter. 

Oswald moved to end the executive session and move back into regular session at 2:11 p.m., Robertson seconded. Motion carried. 

Planning & Zoning Update: Administrator Adamson presented a map with NIETC corridor - 3 corridors: 1 Kiowa County to NM, Adamson believes with Colorado pathway, land owners have already agreed to that. Doesn't believe there will be anymore eminent domain issues. One large landowner in NM is in opposition and is working with other county commissioners showing opposition. Some discussion about allowance for developers to use eminent domain. Adamson has not received anything from any government entities. All information has come from landowners and private entities. 

After lengthy discussion, Oswald moved to sign Resolution 2025-02 opposing NIETC, Robertson seconds. Roll call - Robertson yes, Lening yes, Oswald yes. Baca and Prowers have already signed the resolution. Motion carried. 

R & B Update: Robertson had questioned the tearing down of the old swimming pool area and the use of county trucks to help hauling some of the debris. After lengthy discussion Adamson suggested the school come in and present the request formally. The BOCC agreed. 

Bus Stop: A letter was sent to the County in regards to the use of the roadside park as a bus stop. Oswald said this would be a town decision as this property is owned by the Town. 

Upcoming meetings were reviewed and signed. 

NEW BUSINESS: 

New Hire Progress: Adrienne Yates, Deputy Clerk is progressing very well. 

Valley Wide Health Systems Secure Transportation Permits: There were 5 secure transportation permits applied for and Valley Wide, hasn't been able to transport due to permit approval. Robertson moved to sign the permits, Lening seconds. Roll call - Lening-Yes, Robertson - Yes and Oswald - Yes. Motion carried. 

HUTF Miles Certification: No changes. 

Tuttle Zoning & Building Permits: Permit 1- for house within a metal building, in Galatea. Robertson moves and Lening seconds to approve Permit 1 for Chad and Trista Tuttle. Motion carried. 

Permit #2 for a 25 X 25 shed to be constructed in Galatea. Chad and Trista Tuttle had filed a zoning application for the construction of an AG shed. Robertson moved and Lening seconds to approve the permit. Motion carried. 

Board Resignation: Trent Rittgers sent a letter of resignation as a County Fair Board member. Lening moved to accept the letter of resignation, Robertson seconded. Motion carried. The BOCC would like to thank Mr. Rittgers for his time serving as a fair board member. 

Board Letter of Interest: PJ Lessenden agreed to serve on LAVAAA Board. Lening moves, Robertson seconds to approve PJ Lessenden as Board member. Motion carries. 

John Deere Purchase Agreement: Oswald moved to purchase the John Deere Tractor for District 1, Lening seconded. Motion carried. 

Oswald mentioned resuming elected official luncheons once a quarter. Adamson will organize the luncheons. 

The next regular meeting will be held on February 26, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. 

With no other business to discuss, Lening moved to adjourn the meeting, Oswald seconded at 3:37 p.m.

Donald Oswald, Chairman BOCC

Delisa Weeks, County Clerk