The Regular meeting of the Kiowa County Commissioners was called to order on March 28, 2024, 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 
• Delisa Weeks, County Clerk 
• Tina Adamson, County Administrator

Minutes: Robertson moved, and Lening seconded the motion to approve the minutes with corrections. Motion carried. 

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

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

OLD BUSINESS: 

Grant Updates: Adamson is working on the mini grant for a portion of the sidewalks around the courthouse. 

Landfill/Recycling Updates: The landfill had received a pickup truck from District 3 for the newest landfill operator. 

There will be an inspection at the landfill on April 19th, 2024. The AEC is working with the State to make sure the county is in compliance, reviewing the EDOP Plan for approval. 

Shane Lessenden, Road Foreman for District 3 and Tim Wolf, Road and Bridge employee, entered the meeting at 9:50 a.m. to review the Tower Service Agreement between Tim Wolf and the County. After discussion as to what job requirements would be needed, Robertson moved, and Lening seconded the motion to approve Mr. Wolf for the TV tower upkeep. Mr. Wolf will be paid $50.00 per hour for his services and will be allowed to use the county vehicle. Motion carried. 

Road Foreman, Lessenden discussed the purchase of a flat bed and a toolbox for the pickup recently purchased. The BOCC agreed to the purchase of the flatbed for $2,800.00.

Lessenden also provided a price quote for a new tire machine. The two brands discussed were Coats and Hoffman. Discussion ensued with Lening moving, to purchase the Coats tire repair machine. Oswald seconded the motion. Motion carried. 

Lessenden and Wolf exited the meeting at 10:44 a.m.

Housing Update: The Cactus Corner will have power meters installed by April 4, 2024. 

Planning and Zoning: Tabled. 

Courthouse repairs: The repair company will be here April 8th to install the new heating units. 

Kemma Alfano, Librarian for the Kiowa County Public Library entered the meeting to provide the annual report for the 2023 year. 

Alfano reported the 2023 summer reading program was very successful. 

Alfano reviewed some of the Library grants that they had received. Some of the grants approved were: 

The Colorado State Library Grant $5,000.00: Alfano reported some of these funds helped to pay for the cost of the summer reading book program and also to purchase some hotspots for the students who do not have internet. 

Growing Readers Care Grant $4,000.00: A new children's desk and educational items for caregivers for children. 

The Arkansas Valley Library Network Association had dissolved, so the libraries in the Arkansas Valley area received funds in the amount of $8,542.00. Alfano was able to purchase storage cabinets and a cricket that is used in the library. 

Alfano also said that the library had received funds from the Honeybelle Dixon and Sue Fox Memorials. 

Commissioner Lening questioned if there were any programs for the east end or Plainview School. Alfano said the County Library does not have anything in place with the Plainview School, mainly due to the lack of funding. She explained that she had been in contact with the Superintendent Buller and he is in support of getting the school library up and going again in Plainview. 

Alfano thanked the BOCC for their time and exited the meeting at 12:01 p.m.

Oswald moved, and Lening Seconded the motion to recess for the lunch hour at 12:05 P.M. Motion carried. The meeting reconvened at 1:30 p.m. 

Gerald Deines, Bob Weber and Rick Harris entered the meeting representing the Sheridan Lake Water District. SLWD President Mr. Deines explained that the water district is already feeling the impact of the wind projects going on right now. Deines explained the big trucks are already damaging the dirt roads that they use entering the water tower. 

The district feels that some of the people hauling the water are taking advantage of the current way the billing process happens. They would like to install a meter type machine that would accept credit card payments for the water haulers to use to pay for their water or have an agreement with the Water District. Bob Weber asked if the BOCC would consider using some of the impact fees to assist the district in upgrading the pad and the water meter installment. 

District Board member Rick Harris submitted an itemized fee schedule for the upgrade to the water project. He explained there would be some work done by local people to help offset some the cost for this upgrade. 

Commissioner Lening said they will review the submitted cost sheet and will contact the Water District members on the decision the BOCC agrees to. 

Weber, Deines and Harris thanked the BOCC and exited the meeting at 1:30 p.m. 

Kiowa County Sheriff, Bryan Williams entered the meeting to discuss the purchase of a gate at the storage unit on Wansted Street. The BOCC agreed to the purchase. 

Discussion over the tumble weeds in the same location ensued. The Sheriff said the Sheriff's Department will try to assist in the cleaning of the tumbleweeds along the county storage units. 

Sheriff Williams exited the meeting at 1:50 p.m. 

Reports and Meeting were reviewed and signed. 

NEW BUSINESS: 

New Hire Report: Adamson reported the Administrative Assistant is doing a great job. 

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

VA Payment Revision: There was discussion over the reimbursement the State sends to the County to assist in keeping the Veteran's Office operating. Adamson reported that it is about half of what was in the last few years. The BOCC agreed that they will continue to pay what the State was funding. 

SECPA Ballot: The BOCC reviewed and filled out ballots. 

Sidewalk Bids: The bids were submitted and reviewed. Lening moved, and Oswald seconded the motion to approve the bid from Barnett Construction in the amount of $40,500.00 Motion carried. 

Old Senior Center Bids: Three bids received were reviewed and discussed. Oswald moved, and Lening seconded the motion to decline all bids. Motion carried. 

Model Traffic Code: Robertson moved, and Lening seconded the motion to hold the Model Traffic Code hearing on May 14, 2024; at 10:00 a.m. Motion carried.

Discussion over the Sheridan Lake Water District Project, Chairman Oswald moved, and Lening seconded the motion to approve $170,000.00 for the Sheridan Lake Water District bulk water upgrade project, with the stipulation the County will allow $40,000.00 upfront for the beginning of the water project and the district will submit bills to the County as progress is being made. The County will then draw down more funds for the Sheridan Lake Water District until they have met the total of $170,000.00 in expenditures. Motion carried. 

The next regular Commissioner's meeting will be held on April 11, 2023, at 9:00 am

/s/ Delisa L. Weeks, County Clerk

/s/ Donald Oswald, Chairman