The Regular Meeting of the Kiowa County Commissioners was called to order at 9:10 a.m. by Chairman Donald Oswald on May 14, 2024. Commissioner Lening opened the meeting with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. Those attending were:

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

The minutes for the April 24, 2024; Regular Meeting were read. Robertson made the motion, seconded by Lening, to approve the minutes as presented. All Commissioners voted affirmative. 

Chairman Oswald moved, and seconded by Lening to approve the vouchers as presented. Motion carried. 

Oswald moved and Robertson seconded the motion to approve the agenda with one deletion and one addition. Motion carried. The deletion was the IT Audit and the addition was Road and Bridge discussions. 

Justin, Cindy McLoud, and Tearle Lessenden entered the meeting at 9:35 a.m. 

Cindy McLoud, Director of KCEDF entered the meeting to provide an update on the Legion Hall. 

McLoud and Lessenden exited the meeting at 10:11 a.m. 

Sheriff Williams entered the meeting at 10:15 a. m. to provide a monthly report to the BOCC. He exited the meeting at 10:40 a.m. 

OLD BUSINESS: 

Grant Updates: Adamson will be forwarding drawings to the electricians and plumbers for estimates on the Coroner/ Transit Building. 

Landfill/Recycling: The landfill manager will be going through MOLO (Manager of Landfill Operations) training at the end of May. This training will be very beneficial to the landfill operations and our ability to remain compliant with the State regulations. 

Courthouse Repairs Update: Barnett will be starting the sidewalk project in the near future. 

Lisa Thomas with the Collaborative Management Program, Dennis Pearson, Department of Social Services and Megan Hillman, Public Health Coordinator for Kiowa County; entered the meeting to present the Hit Grant: Thomas reported 11 Schools plus Wiley and Eads are very excited to have this program brought into the local school Systems. Health Care Colorado has agreed to fund this program for one year in the amount of $98,175.00. Robertson moved, and Lening seconded the motion to approve the Grant for one year. Thomas will be reporting to the status of this program to the BOCC. Motion carried. 

Thomas asked if there could be an additional employee for the Collaborative Management Program. This program has grown in volume and is requiring many more hours than what was expected. Oswald moved to hire an additional CMPG employee, and Lening seconded the motion. Motion carried. Hillman went onto discuss the logistics of how this employee will work out of Lamar along with Lisa Thomas. The CMP funds provided to Kiowa County Public Health by the four counties will pay the salary and also for the vehicle that the new employee will need to travel in the four-county region. 

The Commissioners met with Dennis Pearson, Social Service Director; to discuss the food stamp program and how it has increased. Pearson explained that three years ago the program would cover $19,000.00 per month in this program. He explained now three years later after COVI D there was $41,882.00 in services for Kiowa County in the month of April. 

Pearson, Hillman and Thomas thanked the BOCC for their time and exited the meeting. 

The Road and Bridge foremen met with the Commissioners regarding the newest Road & Bridge employees and how they were working out. The foremen reported they were doing a good job and eager to learn new things. 

Discussion ensued over the gravel pits and the processes. It was decided to hire Jody Schreiber to process the paperwork and application for the new gravel pits. 

NEW BUSINESS: 

Meetings and Reports were reviewed and signed.

Robertson moved with Oswald seconding the motion to come out of Executive Session and back into regular session at 1:44 p.m. Motion carried.

Time off Requests and New Hire Reports were reviewed and approved by a motion being made by Lening and seconded by Robertson. Motion carried. 

Planning and Zoning was discussed and reviewed. Robertson moved, and Lening seconded the motion to approve the permits, fees and inspections provided by Adamson. Motion carried. It was agreed that Adamson would publish the permitting document in the paper.

School Bus Bids: Three bids were received. Commissioner Robertson moved, and Chairman Oswald seconded the motion to approve the bid of Donald Unruh in the amount of $1,020.00. Motion carried.

1300 Maine Building: Bids were reviewed for the former Senior Center on Maine Street. Lening moved, and Robertson seconded the motion to accept the bid from Trista Tuttle in the amount of $30,000. Motion carried with Robertson voting-Yes, Lening-Yes and Oswald-Yes. 

The BOCC all agreed to the Letter of Support for the Highway 50 Improvements. 

2024 Fair Parade Theme was discussed, with Lening moving and Robertson seconded the motion to approve Mary Marble's submission of "Moving on with Hope, Faith and Courage". Motion carried. 

Town of Eads Bulk Water: Tabled. 

IT Audit Report: Tabled. 

Legion Hall Contract: Lening moved, and Robertson seconded the motion to approve the contract for the additional stucco and painting of the Legion Hall exterior with Maurice Sagner. Motion carried. 

Public Health Grant Contract: Oswald moved, and Lening seconded the motion to approve the Grant Contract for Public Health. Motion carried. 

Harkness Road: Discussion ensued over the request of a new road located on County Road 76. They will have to go through the normal process to construct a new road that will include landowner notification and a public hearing. 

After continued conversations on road standards Adamson said she will mail the Kiowa County Road Standards document to the land owners, making them aware of the guidelines that have been adopted and approved. 

The next regular meeting will be held May 30, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. 

With no further discussion to be handled, Lening moved and Robertson seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting at 4:10 p.m. Motion carried.

ATTEST:

Delisa L. Weeks Kiowa County Clerk

APPROVED:

/s/Donald Oswald Chairman