The Regular meeting of the Kiowa County Commissioners was called to order on, March 13, 2025; at 9:00 a.m. by Chairman Donald Oswald. Commissioner Lening opened the meeting with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.

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

Minutes: Robertson moved, and Lening seconded the motion to approve the minutes of February 27th 2025. Motion carried. 

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

Agenda: Oswald moved to approve the agenda as presented. Lening seconds the motion. Motion carried. 

Members of the Audience: Justin Causey, lnvenergy; Megan Hillman, Board of Health 

Oswald moved to go into public Tax Abatement Hearing, Lening seconded. Motion carried. 

Tax Abatement Hearing with Strachan Exploration: Present: Marci Miller, Assessor, Diana Flory-Treasurer, Paul Beacom -KE Andrews (Online}, Mario Magana (Online}. Miller opened discussion that Strachan Exploration has filed for an abatement, with correction of expenses and taxes for 2 previous tax years. Miller recommends it be approved by BOCC, Miller handed out lists of expenses and taxes to commissioners. Paperwork was filed on behalf of Strachan Exploration in a timely manner with all pertinent information for tax abatement. 

Robertson moved to exit public hearing, Oswald seconded. Motion carried. 

Robertson moved to approve abatement refunds of $12,265.18 (tax year 2022) $14,204.76 (tax year 2023). Lening seconded. Roll call Robertson -yes, Lening ­yes, Oswald -yes. Motion carried. 

Dennis Pearson, Social Services entered meeting at 9:55 a.m. 

Megan with Board of Health and Shelly Engelhardt entered meeting at 9:58 a.m. 

Oswald moved to enter public meeting for Board of Health at 10:02 a.m. 

Oswald moved to adjourn pubic meeting with Board of Health, Robertson seconded. Motion carried. 

Dennis Pearson & Audrey Johnson entered meeting at 10:57 a.m. for DSS Update 

DSS Update: Pearson requested BOCC approve and sign IGA (Intergovernmental Agreement) between Kiowa, Baca, Cheyenne, and Prowers Counties (collaborative management). Lening moved to approve, Robertson seconded, Motion carried. 

Pearson and Johnson requested county donation/sponsorship for Kentucky Derby Fundraiser for the Cornerstone Resource Center. BOCC approved $1,000 donation in 2024. Oswald motioned, Lening seconded, motion carried for donation of $1,000. 

Oswald motioned to move into executive session, Lening seconded, motion carried at 11:25 a.m. Pursuant to Colorado Revised Statutes, Title 24, Article 6, Section 402, at subsection 4 {F){I) to go into executive session to discuss a personnel matter. Present during executive session were Donald Oswald, Mike Lening, Butch Robertson, Tina Adamson, Audrey Johnson, Dennis Pearson, and Adrienne Yates. 

Oswald moved to end executive session, moved back into regular session at 12:41 p.m. Motion carried.

Recessed for lunch at 12:42 p.m. 

Meeting resumed at 1:00 p.m. 

SBDC Update: (Small Business Development Center), presenters were: Martha Alvarez, Lisa Hudson, Jaydon Rice. Lisa Hudson would like to see more happening in this area with small businesses. Hudson clarified what the SBDC purpose is; to help small business owners with advisement and support during all stages of business development. Hudson handed out packets outlining area usage over 5 years, handouts of upcoming classes including a business startup class in Eads (location to be determined). Another service offered by SBDC is connecting business owners with CPA's, Attorney's, and support with software. To help local area business owners, SBDC is opening a full-time office in Lamar run by Martha Alvarez at Lamar Community College. Some programs they offer help with are: childcare and restaurant/food truck ownership. 

OLD BUSINESS: 

Grant Updates: Mini grants - Lisa Schlotterhausen with SCEDD applied for the Natural Disaster Mitigation Enterprise grant for Kiowa County. It will provide a generator for the courthouse. Estimated cost for the project is $155,000. The generator qualifies for the grant because the courthouse is a designated shelter and houses the emergency operations center. 

The DOLA REDI grant for funding to support KCEDF in the amount of $75,000 has been submitted. 

Landfill/Recycling Update: New forklift and skid steer working well so far. Robertson asked about approved concrete crushing. Adamson will check with availability for crusher to come to town. 

Housing Update: Evaluation, survey, and inspection to be done on Monday and Tuesday March 17th & 18th-

Planning and Zoning Update: Meeting with Adapture Renewables found they are having difficulties moving forward with projects in Kiowa County due to the 1041 Moratorium. 

Lening moved to go into executive session for attorney consultation, Robertson seconded at 3:00 p.m. Motion carried. 

Robertson moved to adjourn the executive session, Lening seconded at 4:29 p.m. Motion carried. 

Road & Bridge: Oswald began discussion about dirt blowing from the fairgrounds and options for trying to keep it as minimal as possible during high wind storms. Second complaint regarding blowing dirt in east part of the county, Commissioners will meet near location to discuss options on March 20th at 9:00 a.m.

Upcoming Meeting and Reports were reviewed and signed.

New Business:

Adamson handed out monthly County Reports for review and approval.

KCHD/PPAL Ballot Question and Resolution: If the KCHD ballot initiatives pass, Kiowa County agrees to discontinue the current Prairie Pines mill levies. Oswald moved to approve, Robertson seconded, Lening abstains. Motion carried. 

Zoning Certificate for Ag Shed for Tylor Swopes: Lening moved, Robertson abstains, Oswald seconded to approve the Zoning Certificate. Motion carried. 

ESRTA Right of Way Permit: Oswald moved to approve, Robertson seconded to approve Right of Way Permit. Roll Call: Robertson -yes, Lening -yes, Oswald -yes. Motion carried. 

The next regular Commissioner's meeting is March 27, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. 

With no other business to conduct, Robertson moved to adjourn, Lening seconded, Motion carried. 

Meeting adjourned at 5:08 p.m.

/s/Donald Oswald 3/27/2025

Donald Oswald, Chairman

/s/Delisa L. Weeks

Delisa Weeks, County Clerk