The Regular meeting of the Kiowa County Commissioners was called to order on October 10, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. by Chairman Donald Oswald. Robertson opened the meeting with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.

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

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

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

Agenda: Oswald moved to approve the agenda as amended. Lening seconded the motion. Motion carried. 

09:30 a.m.

GN Bank-lntrafi Investing: Audience members Kiowa County Treasurer, Diana Flory; Linda Watts, Deputy Treasurer; and Sean Lening, President of GN Bank entered the meeting along with Glenn Martin via ZOOM to further discuss the different options of investing some of the funds the County has accrued. There is one account referenced as a CDR Account in which the BOCC could deposit these funds into and could track this account on a daily bases. Flory questioned if this is the current money the County has on hand or the funds that may be coming into the County. Glenn said it could be both or use some of the money we have on hand. Glenn thanked the BOCC for their time and exited the meeting at 09:55. Sean Lening provided further information on the processes that would take place. No action was taken at this time. Sean Lening, Treasurer Flory and Deputy Treasurer Watts exited the meeting at 09:55 a.m. 

Board of Health Meeting: Chairman Oswald moved to recess the regular meeting and move into the BOH Meeting. Robertson seconded the motion. Motion carried. 

At 10:05 a.m., those in attendance of the BOH meeting were: Meagan Hillman, Prowers County Health Director; Shellie Englehardt, Kiowa County Emergency Coordinator; Dennis Pearson, Department of Human Services; Undersheriff Marlow and Courtney Barnett with Prowers County Public Health Services. 

Chairman Oswald moved and Commissioner Robertson seconded the motion to adjourn the Board of Health meeting at 10:43 a.m. Motion carried.

Bryan Mattuski, Emergency Service Director for Kiowa County entered the meeting at 10:45 a.m. to present the RETAC Grant. Mattuski explained that most of these funds will be used for training for the current EMT's. After discussion, Robertson moved, and Lening seconded to approve the RETAC Grant in the amount of $15,000.00. Motion carried. 

Mr. Mattuski, Undersheriff Marlow and Sheriff Williams remained in the meeting to discuss and learn more of the new 911 services/dispatch for Kiowa County. June Ferraro with the Rocky Ford Dispatch Center entered the meeting to discuss the possibility of moving the Kiowa County Dispatch services to Rocky Ford. She explained how many consulates they would need to have in order to operate effectively. Ferraro also explained the phone charge fee would need to be rerouted to the Rocky Ford and that it would need to be transferred by February 1, 2025. She also explained that a person who has an emergency will be able to text 911 as a way to get assistance. Ferraro presented MOU's for the Commissioners to review. No action was taken at this time. 

Mattuski, Englehardt, and Ferraro exited the meeting at 11:47 a.m. 

Oswald moved and Lening seconded to recess the meeting for the lunch at 11:54 a.m. Motion carried.

The regular meeting reconvened at 1:05 P.M.

Dennis Pearson, Director of Social Services entered LEAP allocation of an extra $20,000.00 for hiring extra help needed for the LEAP Process. 

Pearson reported that child welfare has been staying very busy. 

The audit turned out well for Social Services. 

Pearson reported the Collaborative Management will be receiving a check for about $49,000.00. These funds will be used for hiring an additional person and possibly a purchase of another vehicle for this employee.

Pearson exited the meeting at 1:30 p.m. 

OLD BUSINESS:

Grants: Chairman Oswald reminded everyone that there will be $228,415 that will need to be included in the 2025 Transit budget for purchase of a new 14 passenger bus and a new ADA mini-van. $182,732 will be granted from COOT, the County's match being $45,683. 

Commissioner Lening questioned whether the County will have to pay a portion of the grant for the Legion Hall. The Administrator explained why the County may have to pay a little bit more. She said that plans can change and there is most generally contingency for extra work. Lening is concerned about the grants and what portion the County will have to meet. 

The BOCC all agreed the money from SECOR on the Opioed [sic] settlement in the amount of $10,000.00 will go to Public Health. Lening questioned about the need for a generator for the courthouse. Lening stated the necessity of having the Courthouse operational when an emergency arises. 

Landfill/Recycling Update: Adamson had spoken with Landfill Foreman, Jeff Scranton in regard to the trash compactor. Adamson confirmed that the trash compactor is being repaired at this time. 

Election Update: Administrator Adamson would like to suggest the BOCC form an Impact Fee Committee that would review all the needs from each entity and have them recommend which would be necessary. Discussion ensued, with no decision being made. 

Upcoming Veteran's Dinner: Robertson moved, and Lening seconded the motion to approve the Veteran's Day meal be paid by the County. Motion carried 

NEW Business:

Reports and meetings were acknowledged. 

Adamson reported that the concrete crushing company out of Kansas said they would come to our landfill and crush concrete for $15.00 to $20.00 per ton. Adamson completed a comparison from TC Crushing in Lamar and the Kansas crushing company. TC Crushing was much cheaper. Adamson reported that the Road and Bridge are very interested in the crushed concrete for use on repairing county roads. 

GNBank ACH Agreement: Lening moved and Robertson seconded to sign the ACH Agreement. Motion carried. 

Eastern Slope ROW Permit: An application permit from Eastern Slope Telephone was reviewed. This is for the communications cable to be trenched and buried for the subscribers in the Haswell Telephone Exchange. Date of construction is to begin November 11, 2024. Robertson moved, and Lening seconded to approve the Right of Way permit for Eastern Slope. The intent of this is in hopes the western portion of Kiowa County will have better internet services. 

2025 Budget: Adamson will ask each office to have their preliminary budget by the first week of November. 

The next regular meeting will be held on October 24, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. 

Oswald moved, and Robertson seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting at 4:00 p.m. Motion carried.

Delisa Weeks, County Clerk

Donald Oswald, Chairman