The Regular meeting of the Kiowa County Commissioners was called to order on July 11, 2024, at 9:10 a.m. by Chairman Donald Oswald. Chairman Oswald 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

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

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

Agenda: Oswald moved, and Lening seconded the motion to approve the agenda as amended with the following additions: Southeast Recycling, ArcaSearch Contract and Sheriff's Gun Information. Motion carried.

Grant Updates: Nothing new to discuss.

Landfill/Recycling Update. The signage for the recycling for aluminum cans and plastics has been ordered.

Housing Update: Nothing is happening at Cactus Corner. Adamson said there has not been any permitting request from the Sheridan Lake Project.

Gutters: Maurice Sagner said he has ordered the gutter material and hopes to start in two weeks.

Oswald moved and Lening seconded the motion to approve the purchase of the two fans and the fairgrounds. The cost for these is $3,084.80. Motion carried.

The Maintenance men will be replacing/repairing the backing of some of the seating at the fairgrounds.

Road and Bridge Update: Adamson reported that Dustin Wycoff had come in and signed the lease for the new gravel pit. The lease has been recorded and filed.

Reports and Upcoming Meetings were reviewed and signed.

NEW BUSINESS:

Time Off Requests: Lening moved, and Robertson seconded the time off request. Motion carried.

New Hire Report: The supervisors reported the two newest employees were doing a fine job.

Treasurer Semi-Annual Reports: A review and sign age of the Semi Annual report for Kiowa County was approved by consensus of the BOCC. Chairman Oswald signed the reports and will be ready to be published in the local newspapers.

Ambulance Licensing: The BOCC agreed they will leave it to the State, to make sure the licenses are current for each ambulance, since this is a state requirement as of July 1, 2024.

Public Health Child Fatality Prevention System Grant: Oswald moved, and Lening seconded the motion to sign the Public Health Grant for prevention of Childhood Fatalities. Motion carried.

Engagement Letter-ILG Investigations Law Group: Adamson will advise on the letter that has been received and let the former employee address the issue.

ESRTA Right Of Way Permit: Eastern Slope Rural Telephone will be installing fiber in the northwest corner of Kiowa County. Robertson moved, and Lening seconded the motion to approve the Right of Way Permit located at County Rd 6, Rd T, Rd. U and Rd 7. for Eastern Slope Rural Telephone. Motion carried.

Southeast Recycling: These are the small brown dumpsters that citizens of western Kiowa County can use. Discussion ensued. The BOCC agreed they would like to have further information to see if these dumpsters can be used for trash. This item was tabled at this time.

ArcaSearch Contract: Chairman Oswald signed the contracts that were approved in May.

Lening moved, and Oswald seconded the motion to recess for the lunch hour at 12:02 p.m. Motion carried. The regular meeting reconvened at 1:00.

Dennis Pearson, Director of Social Services, entered the meeting to provide an Update for his department. Pearson reported that his office is operating under budget at this time.

Pearson said that both the Child Welfare and Adult Protection Service has been staying very busy portion is staying very busy.

Congratulations to Tabatha Ferris, clinician for the LEAP program. Ferris was recognized by the State for all of her hard work to keep this program running smoothly. Pearson exited the meeting at 1:40 p.m.

Cheyenne County/VSO Option: Janelle Crow, Kiowa County Veteran's Service Officer entered the meeting to provide a monthly report for the Veteran's Office. Darren Dickey and Ron Smith, Cheyenne County Commissioners entered the meeting by phone conference. Crow reported that she had been contacted by the Cheyenne County Commissioner's to discuss the possibility of Mrs. Crow assisting in operations of the Cheyenne County Veteran's Office. The Cheyenne County Commissioner's explained that their local Veteran's Officer is not qualified any longer to fulfill the job. Discussion ensued with both BOCC's and Ms. Crow. Ms. Crow will contact the State Veteran's Officer for this area and see if this option would be feasible. There will be more information forthcoming in the next Commissioner's meeting.

Sheriff Gun Info: Tabled.

Oswald moved and Robertson seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting at 2:08 p.m. Motion carried

/s/Delisa Weeks, County Clerk

/s/Donald Oswald, Chairman