The Regular meeting of the Kiowa County Commissioners was called to order on February 23, 2023, at 9:00 a.m. by Chairman Donald Oswald. Commissioner Robertson opened the meeting with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. 

Those in attendance:

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

Oswald moved, and Lening seconded the motion to recess the regular meeting at 9:30 a.m. to go view the 2 houses that were built through the SCEDD Regional Housing Project. Motion carried. 

The Regular meeting reconvened at 10:03 a.m. 

Rob Miller who owns and operates "Life Continues Recovery”, a substance abuse recovery counseling program, entered the meeting to offer their services. One of the main focuses for Life Continues is to build a relationship with drug addicts who are seeking sobriety. Miller went on to explain that this had hit close to home as he had a son who became addicted to drugs but has since overcome. Miller explained in further detail what the recovery program could do for those in need. Mr. Miller thanked the BOCC and exited the meeting at 10:37 a.m. 

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

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

Oswald moved, and Lening seconded the motion to approve the agenda as amended. Motion carried. There was one addition to Old Business: Fair Update and two items to New Business: Veteran's and Redistricting. 

Shellie Engelhardt, Kiowa County Emergency Manager; entered the meeting to get clarification for travel time and how it should be paid. Discussion ensued, with no decisions being made. She exited the meeting at 10:58 a.m. The BOCC will discuss further and will advise Mrs. Engelhardt if travel time will be paid or not. 

Kiowa County Sheriff, Bryan Williams entered the meeting 11:14 a.m. to discuss the agreement with Sand Creek Massacre and the Sheriff's Office. Adamson reported that there has been an issue of drawing down the funds from the Federal Government. Adamson will look into this matter and try to get the funds transferred.

KCFPD Support: Eunice Weber, Kiowa County Fire Protection Director entered the meeting to ask the BOCC if they would consider writing a Letter of Support for the District to apply for Congressionally Directed Funding for a new firehouse. The BOCC agreed to write a Letter of Support. Weber thanked the BOCC and exited the meeting at 11:32 a.m. 

NEW BUSINESS: 

GRANTS: Administrator Adamson provided information on some of the grants that are in progress. 

Oswald moved, and Robertson seconded the motion to recess the meeting for lunch at 11:59 a.m. Motion carried. 

The regular meeting reconvened at 1:05 p.m. 

Craig Kerfoot, Chairman of the Kiowa County Economic Development Foundation and Cindy McLoud, Manager of KCEDF entered the meeting to discuss the development activity that is going on in Kiowa County. McLoud reported the housing project on the east end of the County is moving forward. Kerfoot asked if this will have to be approved through planning and zoning. Administrator Adamson confirmed this will go through the subdivision process. 

The BOCC asked if there was any other progress taking place in Kiowa County and McLoud explained that the MMOF grants through COOT that were awarded for· Sheridan Lake and Haswell in regards to cement work that needs to be done will have to be declined and new grants applied for due to issues with the projects. 

Kerfoot and McLoud thanked the BOCC for their time and exited the meeting at 1:25 p.m.

SCEDD Housing Project: The BOCC attended the walk through of the SCEDD Housing Project. The BOCC agreed the two projects are quite nice. 

Planning and Zoning Update: Adamson would like to discuss the transmission line regulations and setbacks for alternative energy projects. This line item was tabled for the next meeting. 

Road & Bridge Update: Adamson had received a letter from the of state requesting the status of the diesel tanks located at the Eads County Shop. Adamson will speak with Road Foreman, Allen Watts in regard to the status of the Sheridan Lake diesel tanks. 

KCEDF Donation: Lening, made a motion to donate $5,000 to KCEDF. Oswald second the motion. Motion carried. 

Joe Shields, Town of Eads Mayor joined meeting at 1:55 p.m. to discuss the billing for water, sewer, and trash for the County will begin March 1, 2023 for any locations that were previously not being billed. 

Mayor Shields requested a Letter of Support from the BOCC for the swimming pool. Discussion ensued about the swimming pool project. BOCC agreed to write a letter of support. Shields said they will be breaking ground for the swimming pool in March or April. Shields exited the meeting at 2:12 p.m. 

Vending Machine Update: Adamson has been in contact with a vending machine repairman and he had found a new compressor and estimated $1500 to fix  current vending machine. The BOCC agreed to have it repaired instead of buying a new machine. 

New Business: 

Reports and Meeting were reviewed and signed. 

Kemma Alfano, Librarian joined the meeting at 2:22 p.m. to discuss the possibility of moving the library to the former senior center building on Maine Street. Alfano discussed 2 layout ideas. Adamson suggested getting a contractor in to see what can be done with the building. Alfano will look into what kinds of grants are available and then get back to the BOCC. Alfano exited the meeting at 2:43 p.m. 

Administrator Adamson spoke of turning the former senior center into rentable office spaces. Adamson explained that there has been some business interested in office space in Eads. No action was taken. 

Fair Update: Adamson stated the Fair Board/County has received $6650 donations for the fair. The BOCC appreciates all of those who have donated these funds that Rob Kelley has been discussing. 

Road & Bridge: Robertson moved, to hire Bobby Kern for the Road and Bridge Department. Lening seconded motion. Motion carried.

New Business: 

Personnel Policy Revisions: Administrator Adamson provided a review for employee training compensation for travel time to trainings. Lening moved, not pay for driving time. Robertson seconded. Roll call was taken: Howard-Yes, Lening- Yes, Oswald - Yes. Motion passed. Personnel Policy Revised. 

Weather closure: Adamson explained it is easier to have the Courthouse follow Closed/Delays when the school makes its' determination. This gives maintenance enough time to keep up with snow removal and limits the county's slip and fall accident liability. Policy has been in place for 7 years. The BOCC agreed to continue to follow the current Policy.

Burn Permitting Delegation: Oswald signed the contract to have local control.

Veteran's: Janelle Crow, Veteran's Assistant had written a letter in regard how to best serve our current Veteran's and her schedule. The BOCC would like to continue on as it is. 

Redistricting: Adamson will contact the Census Bureau and State Demography Office for more information. This will be for the redistricting of the Commissioner's Districts. 

The next regular Commissioner's meeting will be held March 14, 2023; at 9:00 a.m.

With no further business to discuss, Lening moved, and Robertson seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting at 4:16 p.m. Motion carried.