Kiowa County Board of Commissioners Meeting Minutes

The Regular meeting of the Kiowa County Commissioners was called to order on January 29, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. by Chairman Donald Oswald.

Present

• Donald Oswald, Chairman
• Howard “Butch” Robertson, Commissioner
• Mike Lening, Commissioner
• Adrienne Yates, County Clerk
• Tina Adamson, County Administrator

Members of Audience

• Justin Causey - Invenergy

Call to Order

• Chairman Donald Oswald called to order at 9:00 a.m.
• Commissioner Lening opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance
• Commissioner Oswald moved to approve the minutes from January 13th, 2026. Robertson seconded. Motion carried.
• Commissioner Robertson moved to approve the vouchers as presented; Oswald seconded, motion carried.
• Commissioner Oswald moved to approve the agenda as presented with 3 additions; Robertson seconded; motion carried.

Old Business

• Grant Updates: Mini Grant presentations will be in March; we can present four again this year.
• CLCEC-Library: Adamson was updated by the CLCEC board regarding the library project. Some possible funding ideas were given to Adamson to discuss with the BOCC. The board will discuss options with the local bank and revisit.
• DOLA EIAF: Adamson met with a local representative regarding applying for the window grant, Adamson was advised the priorities for the grant are tuned towards water & wastewater projects. There may only be one application period this year from DOLA.
• Landfill/Recycling: Shredder payment will be mailed out; delivery is approximately 2 months from now. There was a waste tire inspection which passed. Discussion about how many acres would be appropriate for possible expansion.
• Housing: Cactus Corner is still waiting for the Certificate of Occupancy.
• Planning & Zoning Update: Adamson is beginning to receive permit applications for energy projects and believe more are coming in the next few months.
• Road & Bridge: Discussion about cement haulers that are still being seen, as well as new signage.
• LED Lighting: Adamson provided an estimate of up to $2,000 to check the current lights for issues that may be causing strobes and other potential issues.

Lening moved to recess for lunch at 12:00 p.m. Oswald seconded. Motion carried.

Meeting resumed at 1:00 pm

Oswald moved to enter Executive Session for the purposes of receiving legal advice on specific legal questions regarding implementing the County's 1041 Regulations for Major Facilities of Public Utilities, pursuant to C.RS 24-6-402(4)(b) at 1:10 p.m., Robertson seconded, motion carried.

Lening motioned to exit executive session at 2:25 p.m., Robertson seconded, motion carried.

Oswald moved to resume regular session at 2:30 p.m., Lening seconded, motion carried.

Appointments

• Audrey Johnson, Director DSS: Audrey Johnson entered the meeting at 9:25 a.m. Johnson provided an update on federal funding to Colorado. As of today, there is no freeze on funds while the federal court is reviewing the state’s case, Johnson updated that if there is a partial government shutdown there should be no changes to SNAP funding, Johnson added that they have been having issues with the state childcare assistance program, mostly with the online portion. Johnson has been in contact with Logan County who has agreed to help with the CCAP program. Johnson handed out a draft IGA between Kiowa & Logan counties. Johnson will have a formal IGA to request for approval at the next BOCC meeting. There was discussion about having someone look at the water drainage issues at the DSS office to give an estimate of repair.
• Loan Options: There was discussion about options to help fund the new library space based off what other area counties have done.
• R&B Foremen, Equipment Update: Shane Lessenden, R&B Foreman entered the meeting at 10:50 a.m. Lessenden requested approval for repairs on one of the trucks that is estimated to cost about $4,000. Lening moved to repair the truck, Robertson seconded. Motion carried. An estimate for a new trailer was given to the board for consideration in next year's budget. There was discussion about posting signs regarding building permits & occupancy at county entry points. A representative from Purple Wave will be coming to take photos of equipment for sale. Training will be coming for all employees on the new crack sealer when it arrives, Lessenden exited the meeting at 11:30 a.m.
• Russ Watson, KCFD: Watson joined via phone at 4:15 p.m. Watson checked to make sure the estimates he sent over had been reviewed and if there were any questions, Watson was checking on approved items and advised how run stipends have been determined by their board. There was discussion about long term needs for buildings and trucks. Watson provided an update on an estimate for a new truck. Call with Watson concluded at 4:40 p.m.

New Business

• Monthly reports were handed out to the Board,
• Time-Off Requests: None
• New Hire Progress Report / Random Results: Discussion about policy regarding employee random screens and workplace safety.
• CCI Steering Committee Proxy: Lening moved to nominate Audrey Johnson, director of social services, to serve as proxy. Robertson seconded, motion carried.
• County Vehicle Use Policy: Adamson advised that any employee who takes a county vehicle home is supposed to pay taxes on that benefit. There was discussion about making a clear policy of who can drive vehicles home. Oswald moved to allow Road & Bridge, Emergency Management, Landfill and Maintenance employees to be able to take county vehicles home with no personal use if they choose to and pay the tax. Lening seconded. Motion carried.
• HUTF Miles Certification: Adamson handed out the annual milage certification sheets to be approved and signed.
• Public Health Impact Grant: Adamson handed out grants she received from Prowers County administrator to be approved and signed. Robertson moved to approve, Lening seconded, motion carried.
• Stable Families Grant: Motion to approve by Robertson, seconded by Lening, motion carried.

Adjournment

With no further business, Oswald moved to adjourn at 4 pm, Lening seconded, Motion carried. Next Regular Meeting: Thursday, February 12th, 2026, at 9:00 a.m.

/s/ Andrienne Yates, County Clerk

/s/ Donald Oswald, Chairman BOCC