The Regular meeting of the Kiowa County Commissioners was called to order on March 30, 2023, at 9:00 a.m. by Chairman Donald Oswald. Chairman Oswald opened the meeting with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. 

Those in attendance:

• 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 minutes as presented. Motion carried. 

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

Oswald moved, and Lening seconded the motion to approve the agenda as amended. Motion carried. There was one addition to Old Business and one item to New Business: 

Betsy Barnett with the Kiowa Independent entered as a member of the audience at 9:30 a.m. 

OLD BUSINESS: 

GRANTS: If awarded the CDS (Congressionally Directed Spending) funding from the State for the courthouse elevator project estimated at $350,000.00 the County would have to come up with 25% in matching funds for a total of $87,500.00 

Courthouse Security Officer, Darrell Hollis; found a 750 kilowatt military generator that the County could possibly receive through the 1033 Military Program. This generator will be used at the courthouse. Hollis and Tim Wolfe, Road and Bridge employee are traveling today 03/30/2023 to see if this generator is in working order. 

Landfill/Recycling-Update-Roll Off Fees: Discussion ensued over fees when renting the roll off trailers. After further discussion, Commissioner Lening said he would rather leave the fees the same at this time. Adamson will check with surrounding counties as to what fees are charged for those who live in outer lying areas and want to rent a roll off trailer.

SECED Housing Project: The sewer system at Cactus Corner continues to be an issue.

Planning and Zoning Update/Setbacks: There will be a work session on 1041 setbacks this afternoon. 

Flooring Update: The leveler was poured in the basement hallway this last weekend and it is cracking. The flooring company will be here this coming weekend and Adamson will get an update on the flooring issue. 

Road & Bridge Update: Administrator Adamson will review the budget and check on all leased equipment. The BOCC would like to try to do a buy-out on some or all of the leased equipment. 

Sheriff Office: Sheriff Williams would like to sell 2 chargers and one pick up. After further discussion, Oswald moved to approve the trade or sale of 2 chargers and one pickup and use the funds to purchase a new vehicle. Robertson seconded the motion. Motion carried. 

Redistricting: Clerk Weeks, provided a map for redistricting purposes. Every ten years the county is to review the Commissioner's District lines to ensure equal population throughout the county. This information was provided by the Colorado Census Bureau. Adamson and Clerk Weeks are waiting on further information from Colorado College in regard to the suggested mapping. 

Kiowa County Treasurer, Diana Flory entered the meeting to discuss County Held Property with taxes due in the amount of $586.19 for minerals. Flory had contacted the owner and for some reason these minerals were put into County Held in 1999. Flory requested that $124.00 of fees be waived. Discussion ensued. Oswald moved, not to waive the fees. Lening seconded the motion. Motion carried. The customer will have to pay the entire amount of taxes and accrued interest.

Flory then brought attention to the Excel Energy funds to see if there needs to be any changes. Lening moved, to put $200,000.00 in four 12-month CD's. Robertson seconded the motion. Motion carried. 

Road Foremen, Allen Watts and Rick Spady entered the meeting at 10:20 a.m. to provide monthly report on road status and the decline in Road and Bridge employees. Once again, the topic of salaries was discussed. Adamson said the county has not received any applications regarding the Road & Bridge positions. The BOCC said they may have to contemplate raising the salaries for Road and Bridge again. The county would consider part-time road and bridge employees also. 

Spady reported the State Bridge Inspector had been reviewing bridges and culverts in Kiowa County. Road Foreman, Spady said he had received word that there is a bridge in Kiowa County that the Inspector had concerns about. Spady drove to the site, and he couldn't see anything wrong with it. Adamson said a new tonnage sign will need to be replaced. Spady will contact the State today and get clarification as to what upgrades needs to be completed on this bridge. 

Adamson then discussed the closure of the fuel tanks. This will be an ongoing process for the next few months. 

Road & Bridge Employee Frank Hine will be retiring on April 20th. The BOCC would like to thank Frank Hine for his years of service. The BOCC would also like to thank JD Van Campen and Carl Blodgett for their years of service. Both individuals have resigned from the Road & Bridge Department. 

New Business: Reports and Meeting were reviewed and signed. 

Lening moved, and Oswald seconded the motion to recess for lunch at 11:52 a.m. Motion carried. Road Foremen Watts and Spady exited the meeting at this this time also. 

Kemma Alfano, Kiowa County Librarian; entered the meeting at 1:00 p.m. to provide the annual report for 2022. Alfano explained that the circulation is staying consistent. The children's section of the library is staying very busy. Alfano said this has a lot to do with the larger number of home-schooled children in our area. 

The library had received donations from different organizations throughout the 2022 year. One organization, Eads FBLA Chapter decorated Christmas Wreath's for the Library and were sold at the Merry on Maine Street Festival in December. Alfano said without these donations the library budget would be much more stringent.

New Business: 

New Hire Program: Administrator Adamson reported the new hire was doing a great job of learning the position. 

Building Permit: Lening moved, and Robertson seconded the motion to approve a building permit at 703 Kerr Street Eads, Colorado. Motion carried. 

Gun Range: The Maintenance crew will work on rebuilding the shooting range. The BOCC has agreed to allow the Maintenance crew to purchase supplies for upgrades to the range not exceeding $500.00. 

Oswald moved, and Lening seconded the motion to approve a Letter of Support for the Kiowa County Public Library. Motion carried. 

The next Regular Commissioner's meeting will be April 11, 2023 at 9:00 a.m. 

With no further discussion, Robertson moved, and Oswald seconded the motion to adjourn the regular meeting at 2:00 p.m. Motion carried.