The regular meeting of the Kiowa County Commissioners was called to order on September 14, 2021; at 9:00 a.m. by Chairman Donald Oswald. Oswald opened the meeting with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.

Those in attendance: 

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

Minutes: 

Lening moved, and Robertson seconded the motion to approve the August 26, 2021; minutes as presented. Motion carried.

Vouchers: 

Robertson moved, and Lening seconded the motion to approve the vouchers as presented. Motion carried. One voucher was clarified by Administrator Adamson.

Agenda: 

Oswald moved, and Lening seconded the motion to approve the agenda as amended.

In New Business: Broadband and the Brophy Plan and in Old Business: CHP - 2022 Rates. Motion carried.

Debi Derby entered the meeting at 09:30 a.m. on behalf of the Little Leaders Care Center. Derby said Governor Polis had just signed the Early Childcare Act 21236. Derby is not sure when it will go into effect. Derby exited the meeting at 10:15 a.m.

OLD BUSINESS:

Grant Updates/ ARP Funding/C DOT Transit Grant:

The SCEDD Board is seeking more support in searching for someone who is motivated to write grants and have a few employees work underneath her.

Adamson reported that the County did not receive the RREO Grant.

Adamson provided the daily breakdowns for the Inflatables at Fair: On Thursday there were 53 children with $485.00 in ticket sales, on Friday of Fair there were 81 children with $431.00 taken in and Saturday 88 children for a total $498.00.

Cindy McLoud, Coordinator for the Kiowa County Economic Development entered the meeting to discuss the S.E.C.E.D. meeting that was held in Pueblo. McLoud reported that the Southeast Colorado Economic Development is in need of a 6-County Grant Writer and Consultant. This would possibly give the 6 counties an opportunity to receive more grant funding.

McLoud also touched base on Tax Credits for Kiowa County. Processing of the tax credits for the Daycare go through the KCEDF Office. Anyone can purchase tax credits which would help the daycare and also the taxpayer.

Dennis Pearson, Director of Social Services entered the meeting at 9:50 a.m. to provide a monthly report for his office.

Jalin Spady, Office Manager for Social Services has accepted a job in Las Animas. Her last day will be the end of September. Pearson said they had received 6 applications thus far.

Pearson also reported that Child Welfare has been very busy.

Pearson highlighted on the TANF Funds to assist the Daycare. He said the money was still available.

Pearson thanked the BOCC and exited the meeting.

Road Foremen Allen Watts, Rick Spady, Jack Howard and Maintenance Foreman Nick Johnson entered the meeting to discuss the fair and the items that need to be addressed. Johnson has been in contact with Royse Electric, regarding the lighting for the arena. Watts also brought up the lighting where the band was playing. There was discussion for ceiling fans for the underneath grandstand.

Sheriff Frazee and Undersheriff Schneider entered the meeting at 11:00 a.m. as members of the audience.

Discussion followed with the thermostat for the roaster ovens that are used for the County Barbeque. The Commissioners and Road Foremen will be meeting with Billy Koehler. Watts will contact Billy Koehler and see if an ATMOS representative can attend a work session at 3:00 p.m. on September 23, 2021. After lengthy discussion and all agreeing to meet with Mr. Koehler, the road foremen exited the meeting at 11:30 p.m.

Sheriff Frazee and Undersheriff Schneider came to the table to discuss salaries for the POST Certified officers. There was lengthy discussion. Lening moved, and Oswald seconded the motion to give a raise to the Post Certified Deputies to $37,000.00 for hire on. This will include the Sergeant and the current Deputy's position. Discussion followed. Motion carried.

Robertson moved, and Lening seconded to recess the meeting and move into executive session at 11:31 a.m. Legal Matter with Personnel 24-6-402 (4) (f) (d Oswald moved and Lening seconded to move out at 11:58 a.m. Motion carried.

Oswald moved and Lening seconded the motion to recess for lunch at 11:58 a.m. Motion

carried.

Meeting reconvened at 1:00 p.m.

Landfill/Recycling Update: They are collecting about 2 bales of Cardboard per week.

Ambulance Service: Eunice Weber, Jenny Black and Elise Crockett entered the meeting at 1:55 p.m. Weber brought to the Commissioner's the discussion of the vaccination mandate. Weber is to attend an informational meeting in Springfield tonight and will bring back more details.

Sheriff Office Salaries/Incentives: Sheriff Frazee wants seek 2 more deputies. 

Administrator Adamson then discussed the possibility that the Courthouse would go to a four day work week in 2022. The Courthouse employees would work 32 hours per week without any pay increase. They would also lose thirty minutes off for their lunch hour. Oswald said this is in only the discussion phase. 

Sheriff Frazee would like to see if the current Office Deputy could receive a Dollar per hour increase. No decisions were made.

Board Update: Lening would like to meet with the hospital Board and discuss why they would like to have the county split from the hospital. It seems there is an issue concerning Special District requirements and the current shared responsibility for the Hospital.

TANF: Lening moved, and Robertson seconded the motion to hire the Director of the Little Leaders Care Center as a Temporary Full Time employee under the Department of Social Services through the rest of 2021. Motion carried.

Broad Band Resolution: Discussion followed over the Broadband Project. Oswald moved, to commit $4096.00 to the broad band this will support a position for a Coordinator and Staff for three years. These funds will come from the American Rescue Plan. Robertson seconded this motion. Roll Call: Robertson -Yes, Lening-Yes, and Oswald -Yes. Motion carried. Resolution 2021-11 adopted.

Shellie Engelhardt, Emergency Manager; entered the meeting to provide a monthly report. She reported that Homeland Security will be here to do their yearly inventory.

Engelhardt reported that she had purchased a storage container. The ground has been leveled and the container is in place.

Upcoming Meetings: Meetings and reports were reviewed and signed.

NEW BUSINESS:

Time Off Requests: Robertson moved, and Lening seconded the motion to approve the Time Off Requests. Motion carried.

NPS Cement Bids: The BOCC reviewed the bids for the Cement Project at the National Park Service. Lening moved, and Oswald seconded the motion to pay Semmens Masonry for the cement work at the National Park Service. Motion carried. The funds for this project are provided by the National Park Service.

CHP 2022 Rates: Oswald moved, and Robertson seconded to accept the 2022 Rates for health insurance. This will be a 1% increase for the county health insurance rates for 2022. Motion carried.

Undersheriff Schneider presented a bill for 2 handguns that were purchased from Otero County Sheriff's Office. Lening moved, and Robertson seconded the motion to approve the purchase. Motion carried.

County COVID-19: Lening moved, and Robertson seconded the motion to sign the Letter of Support for Otero County in regards to the COVID-19 Vaccination. Motion carried.

With no further business to discuss Robertson moved, and Lening seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting at 4:35 p.m. Motion carried.