The Regular meeting of the Kiowa County Commissioners was called to order on October 12, 2023, at 9:00 a.m. by Chairman Donald Oswald. Lening 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 

Cindy McLoud, Director of Kiowa County Economic Development Foundation entered the meeting to provide updates on the current grants that have been approved.

McLoud remained in the regular meeting as a member of the audience after completing the updates at 09:50 a.m.    

Will Arthur, Consultant for Attentive Insurance provided information as to some of the benefits Attentive has to offer. Preventative health care and wellness programs will be reviewed at the County Benefits Fair scheduled in late October.      

Mr. Arthur thanked the BOCC for their time and exited the meeting 10:40 a.m.

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

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

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

Sheriff Williams entered the meeting at 11:00 a.m. to discuss vehicles. Williams would like to purchase another pickup. This will be discussed further at the upcoming budget meeting.

Sheriff Williams reported that Bent County Com Center will be increasing the dispatch fees by $5,000.00 for the 2024 year.  

Sheriff Williams continued conversations with the chain link fence that will be installed near the Salvation Army. This will house property for the Sheriff’s Office. 

Sheriff Williams thanked the BOCC for their time and exited the meeting at 11:30 a.m.

Grant Update/SECRETAC/Underfunded Courthouse Grant: Administrator Adamson reported if the Underfunded Courthouse grant is approved the County will have to come up with 50 percent of the project which would be $27,500.00 for the sidewalk replacement at the courthouse.

Oswald moved to recess for lunch at 12:00 p.m. Robertson seconded the motion. Motion carried.
The meeting resumed at 1:00 p.m.

Dennis Pearson, Social Service Director, entered the meeting at 1:00 p.m. to provide a monthly report for his department. 

Pearson has signed the Memorandum of Understanding with the Child Welfare Hotline in Prowers County.

Pearson received $5,000.00 from the OPIOD settlement. These funds will be used for Drug Awareness in our county.

Pearson requested the purchase of an 8 passenger KIA van. After further discussion and by consensus of the BOCC, it was agreed to the purchase of the vehicle. This van will be used mainly for transporting minors.

Pearson exited the meeting at 1:55 p.m.

Road & Bridge Update: There were three estimates for the soil sampling that must be done for fuel tank closure at the County Shops. After discussion and review of bids from APEX, Terracon and GSC, Robertson moved and Lening seconded the motion to use Geological Services & Consultants for this testing with a total cost of $7,300.00. Motion carried.

The bids for a tractor and mower were reviewed and with no action taken.

Reports and meetings were reviewed and signed.

Time Off Requests: Two Time Off Requests were submitted. Lening moved and Oswald seconded the motion to approve them.  Motion carried.

American Environmental Consulting, LLC Service Agreement-Landfill: Adamson provided an agreement to work with American Environmental Consulting in regard to the engineering and design requirements for the landfill. Robertson moved to sign the agreement. Oswald seconded the motion. Motion carried.

2024 Budget: The preliminary budget was scheduled for review by the BOCC on October 24^th.

Old Senior Center Appraisal:  The Board reviewed an appraisal of the building that was provided by Kameron Nolder.  This appraisal will provide a value of the building for its sale or remodel. No action taken. 

BEAD Program: No Action taken.

Public Health Task Order 2024 *0704:  This task order had been previously approved and a signature from Chairman Oswald needed. Document signed.

The next regular meeting will be held on October 26, 2023, at 9:00 a.m.

Lening moved, and Oswald seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting at 3:54 p.m. Motion carried.