The Regular meeting of the Kiowa County Commissioners was called to order on March 14, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. by Chairman Donald Oswald. Commissioner Robertson opened the meeting with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. Those in attendance were:

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

Robertson moved, and Oswald seconded the motion to approve the January 25, 2024 minutes as presented. Motion carried. Corrections were made.

Robertson moved and Lening seconded the motion to approve the minutes of the February 22, 2024 meeting.

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

Oswald moved, and Lening seconded the motion to approve the agenda with one addition added to New Business. Motion carried.

OLD BUSINESS:

Grants Updates: Administrator Adamson reported that Haswell will be applying for one of the mini grants.

Discussion ensued over the sidewalk for the courthouse, there was also the driveway asphalt discussion. Each of the mini grants are for $5000.00 each.

Landfill/Recycling: The roll-off trailer is working well. Scranton says it does work much better when Dustin and he can both haul recyclables.

Chairman Oswald questioned once again if the Sand Creek National Park had reimbursed the County for the rent. Adamson said the County has not received payment. Adamson said she had been in contact with Janet Fredericks, Director of Sand Creek. The County has not received payment since May of 2023. Adamson will be requesting that Fredericks attend the next BOCC meeting and explain why the County has not received payment.

Chairman Oswald asked if the GIS system is underway. Adamson said it has been a slower process due to the extra work the Assessor's Office has had.

Planning and Zoning: Discussion over paying a stipend of mileage for each meeting the Board members attend. Adamson will figure the mileage for each board member and will advise the BOCC. Oswald moved to pay each board member $40.00 per meeting plus mileage, Lening seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Adamson mentioned the Fair board. The BOCC agreed to do the same with those members, as well as Transit Board members.

Road and Bridge Update: There was discussion over the current pad that had been laid for the new fuel tank and the regulations for permitting with the State.

Courthouse Repairs: The equipment is sitting in the parking lot of the courthouse. They have ordered the 400-amp panel. There will be a time that the courthouse will not have heat but will watch the weather before changing out the heating system.

Sheriff Williams and Russ Watson, Fire Chief entered the meeting at 11:00 a.m. to discuss the impact the wind development could have on their departments. Sheriff Williams said he had spoken with different entities in regard to this matter. The two main issues were theft and domestic violence. Williams said if there are going to be 600 plus employees there is likely to be some issues. Adamson said there will be a first aid station at the site but if something critical happened people may need hospital transportation.

Watson explained that volunteers have become an issue. Watson explained that if the County might consider paying the volunteers some kind of wage for their time and effort, this may keep them more interested in continuing as volunteers. Adamson advised that possible funds may be available in the future, however, it will take some time before such funds can be utilized.

Oswald moved, and Robertson seconded the motion to recess the meeting for lunch at 12:14 p.m. Motion carried.

The regular meeting reconvened at 1:15 p.m.

Dennis Pearson with the Department of Social Services entered the meeting at 1:15 p.m. to provide a monthly report for his department.

Pearson reported the Child Welfare has been very busy.

Pearson asked if the BOCC would consider approving a $1000.00 donation to the Child Infant Car Seat Program as well as a $1000.00 donation to the Cornerstone Program which. the Department of Social Services utilizes. Oswald moved and Robertson seconded the motion to these two programs. Motion carried.

Pearson exited the meeting at 1:36 p.m.

Upcoming Reports and Meetings were reviewed and signed.

NEW BUSINESS:

Leave Donation Request: One leave donation request was approved, Lening moved, and Robertson seconded the motion to the leave donation. Motion carried.

Fair Board Resignation: Lening moved, and Robertson seconded the motion to approve the resignation of Kent Frazee from the Fair Board. The BOCC would like to thank Mr. Frazee for his services as a Board Member. Motion carried.

SECPA New Service Agreement: Oswald moved, to approve the SECPA Service Agreement for the underground wiring at the fairgrounds. Lening seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Natacha Kiler with lnvenergy, Jerry Allen, Consultant for Kiowa County and Steven Cunningham, Consultant with Clearway entered the meeting as members of the audience.

KICT-Weskan Grain Amended Building Permit: After being in contact with the KICT attorney there was an amended permit submitted. The BOCC approved the amended permit.

Resolution # 2024-3 1041 Permit Application for the Towner East Wind Energy project submitted by Towner Wind Energy LLC an affiliate of lnvenergy LLC an Illinois Limited Liability Company. Lening moved and Robertson seconded the motion to approve the Towner East Wind Energy permitting. Roll Call was taken. Robertson-YES, Lening-YES, Oswald-YES.

Resolution# 2024-4 Robertson moved and Lening seconded the motion to approve Resolution 2024-4 Permit Application for the Towner West Wind Energy project submitted by Towner Wind Energy LLC an affiliate of lnvenergy LLC an Illinois Limited Liability Company, Motion carried. Roll was taken. Robertson-YES Lening-YES Oswald-YES.

To review the Resolutions in their entirety please visit the Clerk's Office or the Administrative Office. They are also on the County's website at kiowacounty.colorado.gov.

Kiler, Allen and Cunningham exited the meeting after approval of the two permits.

Board Application Form to Review: The BOCC approved the Board Application Form Administrator Adamson had prepared.

The next meeting will be March 28, 2024 at 9:00 a.m.

With no further business items to discuss, Robertson moved and Oswald seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting at 2:40 p.m.

ATTEST

/s/ Delisa L. Weeks

APPROVED

Donald Oswald