The Regular meeting of the Kiowa County Commissioners was called to order on, June 26, 2025; at 9:15 a.m. by Chairman Donald Oswald. Lening opened the meeting with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.

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

Members of the Audience: Justin Causey, lnvenergy 

Dan Richards entered the meeting at 9:25 to discuss the vacant VSO position with the Board. We will visit with Cheyenne County to see if they are still interested in sharing a VSO as we have currently been doing and try to make a determination within the next month. 

Shellie Engelhardt and Riley Frazee entered the meeting at 10:00 to discuss the changes to funding and policy with DHSEM. The grant funding that reimburses half of our Emergency Management Department expenses was set to discontinue in September. These funds have been guaranteed by the State to continue at 80% of the previous reimbursement. Frazee reviewed the EM position duties and required plans with the BOCC. Engelhardt and Frazee exited the meeting at 10:30 

Minutes: Robertson moved, and Lening seconded the motion to approve the minutes of June 12, 2025. Motion carried. 

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

Treasurer, Diana Flory entered the meeting to review the impact fee funds and how the BOCC would like the money to be invested in the short term. After discussion, Oswald moved, Robertson seconded and Lening abstained to put the $2 million in impact fees from Xcel Energy on their substation amendment permit into the lntrafi ICS account making 2.25% interest until it is determined how we will use the funds. Roll call vote was taken, Oswald yes, Robertson yes and Lening abstained, motion carried. 

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

OLD BUSINESS: 

Grant Updates: One mini grant for roll up doors under the grandstands was approved. Three more can be submitted by July 9, 2025. The transit building grant is moving forward and the Board is hopeful that we can start construction right after Fair. 

Road & Bridge Update: Shane Lessenden and Bobby Kern entered the meeting at 11:00 a.m. to discuss chip and oil for the road repairs, CDL training updates and equipment repairs. Lessenden provided estimates for chip seal product that they need. Also discussed was the search for new dump trucks. Options to purchase trucks and have our beds put on them was discussed. Lessenden will be test driving some trucks that he has found and will check to see if we can trade in our older trucks. 

It was agreed that we would have Tim Wolf certified to train the new CDL drivers and compensation would be determined once he is certified. 

Robertson moved and Lening seconded to create a gravel policy specific to the pit landowners. Gravel Pit Landowners will be given up to six loads of gravel annually (January 1 to December 31) out of the pit on their land. The County will load the gravel, as scheduled with the Foreman, and the Landowner will have to haul it or pay someone to haul it for them. The County will not pay the Landowner for the loads of gravel extracted for the Landowners use. This policy will take effect immediately. The motion carried. 

Lening moved and Robertson seconded to recess for lunch at 12:01. 

Oswald moved and Lening seconded to resume the regular session and move into executive session at 1:02. The topic for the executive session is attorney consultation on matters of negotiation per C.R.S. 24-6-402 (4) (b) & (e) (I). Special 1041 Counsel for the County, Darla Scranton-Specht, was present to consult with the BOCC and Administrator. The motion carried. 

Oswald moved and Robertson seconded to come out of executive session and go back into regular session at 2:14, motion carried. 

Housing Update: Cactus Corner construction is moving forward. 

Planning & Zoning Update: Adamson shared a request from a solar developer to be able to place the Gen-Tie transmission lines in the County's road right away. The BOCC is agreeable to underground lines as opposed to overhead lines. More details will need to be provided prior to permitting this. 

Adamson shared that there is a law firm who has provided legal counsel for 1041 projects for three other counties that is interested in working for Kiowa County. Adamson will schedule a work session so the BOCC can meet with the law firm. 

Landfill/Recycling Update: Jeff Scranton entered the meeting at 3:00 to give an update on the Regulation 31 rulemaking. Jeff also gave a new hire report stating that his new staff is doing very well. 

VSO: Kiowa County has two options for the Veterans Service Office which has resulted from changes in requirements and funding from the VA. We have the option to hire a part-time Veterans Service Officer that would service Kiowa County Veterans and possibly Cheyenne County's also or we can contract with the Lincoln County VSO who would service four counties. Due to the minimum hour and visit requirements it is very difficult to justify a VSO for each of our counties so like many other services we must combine with others in our region. The BOCC will look at the options and make a decision soon. 

Tourism Tax Board: Adamson will have Cindy McLoud put it on the KCEDF agenda to propose that they serve as our Tourism Tax Board. 

Sales/Use Tax Question: Adamson will continue to look for the ballot language for a Use Tax question.

NEW BUSINESS: 

Time Off Requests: One request was presented Robertson moved and Oswald seconded to approve the request. Motion carried. 

New Hire Progress Report: Both new Road & Bridge employees are working out well and so is the Landfill employee. 

Leave Donation Request: One request, Lening moved to approve request, Oswald seconded. Motion carried 

Cemetery Board Letter of Interest: Tim Wolf submitted a letter of Interest to serve on the West Kiowa County Cemetery District Board. Lening moved and Robertson seconded to appoint Tim to the Board. Motion carried. 

Proposition 123 Grant Letters: Two letters of support for the Prop 123 Grant for Regional Housing Projects were presented. Robertson moved and Lening seconded to sign both letters. Motion carried. 

ESRTA ROW Permit: A permit for fiber installation in the county road right of way was presented for approval. Robertson moved and Lening seconded to approve the permit, motion carried 

E911 Board Resolution: Tabled 

Lening moved and Robertson seconded to set the public hearing for the Towner Wind Project 1041 permit amendments for August 28, 2025 at 1:00 p.m., motion carried. 

Robertson moved and Lening seconded to set the public hearing for the 1041 Regulation Amendments for the Section 2.304 Impact Fees for August 28, 2025 at 10:00 a.m., motion carried. 

The revised OWTS Regulation 43 county options were reviewed. Oswald moved and Lening seconded to approve leaving the regulations with no changes, motion carried. 

The next regular meeting of the Kiowa County Board of Commissioners is scheduled for Thursday July 10 at 9:00 a.m. 

With no further items to be discussed, Robertson moved to adjourn the meeting at 4:58 p.m., Oswald seconded. Motion carried.

/s/Donald Oswald 7-10-2025

Donald Oswald Chair of Board

Attest

/s/Delisa L. Weeks

Delisa L. Weeks