The Regular meeting of the Kiowa County Commissioners was called to order on June 13, 2024, at 9:05 a.m. by Commissioner Robertson. Mr. Robertson opened the meeting with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. 

Those in attendance:

• Donald Oswald, Chairman 
• Howard "Butch" Robertson, Commissioner
• Mike Lening, Commissioner {By Phone} 
• 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: Robertson moved, and Oswald seconded the motion to approve the vouchers as presented. Motion carried. 

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

Tracy Pervus with Eastern Slope Rural Telephone entered the meeting at 9:30 a.m. to review the IT Audit. Mr. Purvus discussed the need for updating the firewall to the Courthouse as well as Social Services and Public Health. 

Mr. Pervus will put together a quote and get back in contact with the BOCC. Pervus exited the meeting at 10:00 a.m. 

Grant Updates: Maurice Sagner will be constructing a gate at the Kiowa County impound yard. 

Housing Update: Construction on the third housing unit in Cactus Corner is progressing well. Oswald said the other units have not had any inside work done other than the installation of the sheetrock. 

Planning & Zoning/Land Use Admin Position: Discussion over the Land Use position from a full-time position to a part time position ensued. Lening said he would like to hire an individual at part time, with the intention of moving the position to full time after 1 year of employment. Robertson moved, to hire Deborah Davis at full time with the understanding that if the full-time position proves unnecessary, it may be cut back to part-time. Lening seconded the motion. Roll Call Vote: Lening - YES, Robertson- YES and Oswald -Abstained. Motion carried. 

Jeff Scranton, Landfill Foreman and Dustin Nelson, Landfill Operator, entered the meeting to discuss the mechanical issues with the landfill compactor. Scranton explained the needed repairs. He has been talking with members from the community. Everett Shaw and Trevor Eckhardt with Caterpillar joined the meeting by ZOOM to review the estimate for the rebuild on the Compactor. There will be a field tech that will be onsite to observe the rebuild to make sure the machine is running as it should be. The estimated cost for the total rebuild is $381,948.98. 

Lening asked if the plastic recycling containers had been removed from Towner. Scranton confirmed Mr. Lening's inquiry. This action was prompted due to trash being dumped into the recycling containers in Towner. Letters will be sent to the Towner people explaining why the containers have been removed. 

Nelson and Scranton exited the meeting at 11:45 a.m. 

Road and Bridge Update: The Peterbilt semi-truck is in need of repair. The BOCC was in agreement to move forward with the repair. 

Shellie Englehardt, Emergency Manager; reported that her county pickup is having some issues. After discussion, Oswald moved, and Robertson seconded to approve the request of repairs in the amount of $1,600.00. Motion carried. 

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

Dennis Pearson, Director of Social Services entered the meeting at 1:05 p.m. to provide a monthly report for his Department.

Pearson explained the commodities delivery would conflict with the 4th of July holiday. It was decided that July 1st will be commodity delivery for those that qualify. 

Pearson reported the State will be presenting Kiowa County DSS for a Performance award on July 15 The BOCC will try to attend.

The gutter on the Bransgrove building has fallen off and is in need of major repair. Adamson has already been in contact with some contractors and waiting to hear back on them. 

R & B Update: Gravel Pit Usage: Dustin Wycoff, gravel pit owner, asked if the BOCC would consider allowing the gravel pit owners 6 loads of free gravel per year. Adamson explained that the owner's taxes would potentially go up due to the increased revenue generated by the gravel income. The BOCC tabled Mr. Wycoff's inquiry for the time being. 

Oswald moved to approve the gravel pit agreement presented by Shane Lessenden and Robertson seconded the motion. Motion carried. Roll Call was taken Lening- Yes, Robertson -yes, and Oswald - Yes. Motion carried. The agreement was signed and attested. 

Town of Eads- Bulk Water: Tabled. 

NEW BUSINESS: 

New Hire Report: There was a report provided and discussion ensued. No action was taken. 

The Resolution for Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District was read and acknowledged. Robertson moved, and Lening seconded the motion to approve and sign Resolution 2024-3. This resolution supports SECWCD in its efforts to assure Aurora's compliance with 2003 IGA. Motion carried. 

Oswald had been asked if the county would be interested in renting out a county trailer and what the thoughts of the other Commissioners were. The BOCC tabled this inquiry. 

The next regular Commissioner's meeting will be held on June 27, 2024 at 9:00 a.m.

With no further business to discuss, Robertson moved and Oswald seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting at 2:10 p.m. Motion carried.

/s/ Delisa L. Weeks

Kiowa County Clerk

/s/ Donald Oswald

Chairman