Flags in front of the Kiowa County Courthouse in Eads, Colorado. The building is surrounded by trees.

Kiowa County Commissioners meeting minutes - October 30, 2025

Kiowa County Courthouse in Eads, Colorado. © Chris Sorensen

(Kiowa County Press)

Kiowa County Board of Commissioners Meeting Minutes

The Regular meeting of the Kiowa County Commissioners was called to order on October 30th, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. by Chairman Donald Oswald.

Present:

Donald Oswald, Chairman
Howard "Butch" Robertson, Commissioner
Mike Lening. Commissioner
Adrienne Yates, County Clerk
Tina Adamson, County Administrator

Members of Audience

Call to Order

Chairman Donald Oswald called to order at 9:00 a.m.

Commissioner Lening opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance

Commissioner Lening moved to approve the minutes from the previous meeting with motion carried to ratify Fire District Radios. Robertson seconded. Motion carried.

Commissioner Oswald moved to approve the vouchers. Robertson seconded. Motion carried.

Commissioner Oswald moved to approve the agenda with additions. Robertson seconded. Motion carried.

Old Business

Grant Updates: DOLA provided an update on hospital block grant; grant has been awarded but cannot move forward until County audit is finished. Adamson will be meeting at the fairgrounds for plumbing estimates.

Landfill/Recycling: No updates.

Housing: SE CED has requested an update on the next steps for certificate of occupancy. $12,760 is the cost for occupancy permits which will be charged to SECED. Adamson has received the building inspection report and is having it evaluated by Marty Barnett.

Planning & Zoning Update: Adamson handed out packets regarding workforce housing from Modern Frontier Hospitality with more details of what housing units could look like to support the energy project workers. Adamson provided information regarding data centers. A 100 MW data center can use up to 530 gallons of water per day. One month water use is equal to 6,500 households. Electricity rates are also generally higher around a data center. There was discussion on potential impacts, Adamson is awaiting response from attorneys to find out if it falls under 1041 Permitting or not.

Road & Bridge Update: No update

2026 Budget: Adamson is still waiting for some department's budgets. A work session will be scheduled. Adamson has received questions from the Library District regarding county funding for 2026, 2027, 2028 which was verbally agreed upon once the library moves from the courthouse. The county will provide the agreed upon $50,000 per year once the library has moved and the funds will be provided each year in the same month the Initial payment is provided.

2024 Audit: Adamson will be meeting the auditor to get things finalized for the next meeting.

Re-districting: Public meetings will be held after the first of the year.

Fire Radios: Robertson moved to ratify purchase of Fire District Radios up to $245,000, Lening seconded. Motion carried.

911 Board: A resolution is needed to form the board. Adamson has requested resolutions from other counties for a 911 board is still waiting to receive one, she has received IGA's but no resolutions. Adamson will have the resolution at the next meeting.

Sean Harkness entered the meeting at 9:45 a.m.

Diego Molero entered the meeting at 9:55 a.m.

Diego Molero & Pam McWharter (virtual) presented to the BOCC from Orsted Energy regarding a Haswell Solar Project that is being proposed and in the preliminary stages of permitting.

Attendees: Bonnie Wolgamot (virtual), David Okuwobl (ORSTED, virtual), Carol Ho (virtual), Michelle Nelson (ORSTED, virtual), Donna Adame

Betsy Barnett, Kowa County Independent entered meeting at 10:55 a.m.

Robert Kern and Shane Lessenden, Road & Bridge entered the meeting at 11:00 a.m.

Harkness handed out a summary to the BOCC regarding a New County Road request that started in 2024. Harkness would like at least the north half of county road 76 by April. Discussion was about truck traffic and road damage and how it would be managed. Adamson will check if a public hearing is required before construction begins.

Sean Harkness exited the meeting at 11:25 a.m.

Oswald motioned to recess for lunch, Lening seconded. Motion carried.

Regular session resumed at 1:05 p.m.

Beth Bell & Shannon Dixon, KCHD entered meeting at 1:00 p.m.

Bell and Dixon sent over the design plans for the new Ambulance Barn. Bell has gotten estimated costs which are higher than initially thought Bell asked the BOCC if there was interest in any utilization the county might have for the building. It will come with 2 restrooms, 1shower, and classroom. If there is county interest KCHD would like an MOU or letter of interest. Bell also discussed the possible use of impact fees. Bell mentioned there has been struggles with obtaining certified EMT's, the hospital is working on different ideas to recruit EMT's.

Bell and Dixon exited the meeting at 1:34 p.m.

New Business

Monthly reports were handed out to the Board.

Time-Off Requests: None

New Hire Progress Report: New Sheriffs employees are doing great, R&B employees from Haswell shop are doing well, one from Sheridan Lake will be re-evaluated closer to his 90 days, a possible avenue is moving him to maintenance. New Deputy Clerk is learning fast and is a major asset in the office.

SNAP: Lening moved to donate $5,000 to DSS for help covering the lapse in federal benefits for SNAP, Robertson seconded. Motion carried.