Commissioner, Butch Robertson moved to appoint Donald Oswald as Chairman of the Board of County Commissioners. Oswald seconded the motion. Motion carried.

The Regular meeting of the Kiowa County Commissioners was called to order on November 24, 2020 at 9:00 a.m., by Chairman, Donald Oswald. Robertson opened the meeting with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. There was a moment of silence, in honor of Chairman Richard Scott.

Those in Attendance:

• Donald Oswald, Chairman of the Board 
• Howard "Butch" Robertson, Commissioner 
• Delisa Weeks, County Clerk
• Tina Adamson, County Administrator

Robertson moved and Oswald seconded the motion to approve the minutes as presented. Motion carried.

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

Oswald moved and Robertson seconded the motion to approve the minutes with an amended agenda. Those changes were: Deletion of 2 appointments in the afternoon was canceled. Motion carried.

OLD BUSINESS:

GRANT UPDATES: David Englehardt has completed the floor work in the new Senior Citizen Building.

David Wick, Bent County Undersheriff, entered the meeting by audio conferencing along with the Bent County Commissioner's Jean     Sykes, Chuck Netherton and Kim MacDonnell at 9:30 a.m. to discuss the 911 Dispatch Center. Wick reported that due to the call volume in Kiowa County they were going to ask for an increase in pay for services and dispatching. Wick said this is all being based off of a five-year average.

Wick went onto discuss that the tax that is collected from the services from the PUC is about $35,000.00 per year. He reported that Kiowa County had approximately 2200 calls this past year. The citizens of Kiowa Count need to contact their cell phone providers to make sure their 911 tax is being collected for Kiowa County and not in the county they bought the phone service. Wick then discussed the need to replace their current 911 dispatch center. He said it was going to be approximately $140,000.00 to replace. The Commissioner's will review the 2021 Budget to see if there is other funds to help assist in the new 911 system. Wick thanked the BOCC for their time and exited the meeting. The Bent County and Kiowa County Commissioners will be meeting in the near future to discuss further plans for the 911 services. Bent County Commissioners thanked our BOCC and ended the video call at 10:15 a.m.

COVID-19 Update: As of November 24, 2020, there are 25 cases, 2 hospitalizations and 1 death from COVID.

Tearle Lessenden, Kiowa County Extension Agent, entered the meeting at 10:17 a.m. to discuss the Drive Thru Achievement Banquet. Lessenden said he had been in contact with Meghan Hillman, Public Health in regards to a plan so the 4-H members can still receive the recognition they deserve. Lessenden said he will present a plan for being at the level orange to Public Health. Lessenden exited the meeting at 10:25 a.m.

Rick Wallner, member of the Canyons & Plains Task Force, introduced himself per video conferencing. This task force consists of seven counties whose main focus is to promote visitation to historic places in Southeast Colorado. Wallner reported that Janet Frederick, with Sand Creek National Park Service is our local Representative for Kiowa County.

Wallner provided further information and then exited the meeting at 10:54 a.m.

Lakes Update: Administrator Adamson reported that Michael Yerman, who is with SCEDD will be contact with GOCO in regards to a grant for an OHV Track and campsites at the Great Plains Reservoirs.

Oswald moved and Robertson seconded the motion to recess the regular meeting at 11:10

a.m. and move into executive session for a conference call with the County Attorney 24- 6-402 (4) (b). Motion carried. Robertson moved and Oswald seconded to move out of executive session and back into regular session at 11:40 a.m. Motion carried.

2021 Budget Update: Discussion followed over the 911 services. No action taken.

Ambulance Service: Adamson will be requesting an audit trail from the hospital for the last three years.

Oswald moved and Robertson seconded the motion to recess the meeting for lunch at 11:55 a.m. Motion carried.

The meeting has reconvened at 1:00 p.m.

NEW BUSINESS: 

Upcoming reports and meetings were reviewed and approved. The next regular Commissioner's meeting will be December 10, 2020 at 9:00 a.m.

Donation Leave Policy Revision: Robertson moved and Oswald seconded the motion to approve the revision made to comp time being donated within the same month. Motion carried.

Donation Leave Requests: Oswald move and Robertson seconded the motion to approve the Donation Leave requests. Motion carried.

Solar Commitment: Oswald moved and Robertson seconded the motion to approve the Solar Commitment Letter. Motion carried.

Oswald moved and Robertson seconded the motion to approve the APEX agreement to have soil sampling at the Haswell Shop. The new fuel tank cannot be put in place until a soil sample has been done. Motion carried.

With no other items to discuss, Oswald moved and Robertson seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting at 2:17 p.m. Motion carried.