Kiowa County Board of Commissioners Meeting Minutes

The Regular meeting of the Kiowa County Commissioners was called to order on September 15, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. by Chairman Donald Oswald.

Present:

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

Members of Audience:

• Betsy Barnett

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 Robertson moved to approve the minutes from August 27, 2026. Oswald seconded. Motion carried.
• Commissioner Lening moved to approve the vouchers as presented; Robertson seconded, motion carried.
• Commissioner Oswald moved to approve the agenda as presented; Lening seconded. Motion carried

Old Business:

• Grant Updates: Adamson is working on the mini grants to be submitted. lconergy advised they are not able to move forward with a contract with the county at this time. There was discussion about other options for updating the courthouse windows and HVAC system. Materials are enroute for the transit building and coroner space. Adamson is finalizing the underfunded courthouse grant application.
• Landfill / Recycling Update: The board discussed the proposal for new equipment by Landfill Foreman Jeff Scranton for a sorter. Adamson will have Scranton provide more information for the next meeting. No decision made today.
• Housing Update: No update
• Planning & Zoning Update: There was discussion regarding the work session held 9/14/2026 and review of comments.
• Fair Update: Between Friday and Saturday's BBQ's there were a total of 1,072 wristbands sold. Admission to the bouncy houses was 166, and laser tag had 107. With revenue still be to collected from some groups, the total so far is $5094. Our judge for the parade this year was Cory Owens of Colorado Springs and the winners were:
• 4-H & FFA: 1st Place -Youth Council, 2nd Place -Prairie Queen 4-H
• Organizations: 1st Place -Veterans, 2nd Place -Prairie Pines
• Businesses: 1st Place -Harris Pumpkin Patch, 2nd Place -Ferris Trucking
• Open Class: 9 Classic Vehicles entered, 1st Place -Nathanial Mitchek with Lime Green Chevy Pickup, 2nd Place -Troy Joy with Black & Gold '79 Fire bird
• Judges Choice: KCFPD Unit #7 Fire & Rescue
• Ballot Questions: Adamson provided the resolution for the 5.25% Limitation Ballot Question 2026-9

Appointments:

• Betsy Barnett- Brownsfield Grant: Barnett presented a proposal to have the county apply on her behalf for a Brownsfield Grant to clean up their property off the highway. Due to the underground tanks the applicant must be a non-profit or government entity. There would be no cost to the county, the county would the main applicant. The board discussed options for becoming the applicant on this project. The board agreed to move forward as long as it didn't become a burden to county employees.
• Barnett advised that for the library project to move forward the collateral loan would be $320,000. GNBank is ready to proceed with using the CD from the county. The project is set to start September 15, 2026. Barnett will contact the bank and coordinate with the treasurer to move the funds. Robertson moved to reaffirm the motion to put up a CD at the bank for use as collateral. Lening seconded the motion. Roll Call-Robertson: yes, Lening: yes, Oswald: yes. Motion carried. Barnett exited the meeting at 10:53 a.m.
• Sheriff Bryan Williams entered the meeting at 10:58 a.m.: Williams was requesting an update on any decisions regarding the new body and vehicle cameras as the discount offered runs out at the end of September. The board has not made a decision at this time. Williams exited the meeting at 11:10 a.m.
• Audrey Johnson, Director Social Services: DSS Update: Johnson entered the meeting at 1:00 p.m. Johnson provided an update on their caseload and to advise she has hired an eligibility tech who will start October 1st. The contract with Prowers County tech is going well. The contract with Goodwill to process LEAP (Low Income Energy Assistance Program) applications this year is complete and the office is prepping last year's applications for Goodwill to have on hand. Johnson asked about upgrading the phone system due to ongoing issues. Adamson advised replacing the phone system countywide has been approved for replacement which included DSS and Public Health. Johnson exited the meeting at 1:41 p.m

Executive Session: CANCELLED

Pursuant to C.R.S. 24-6-402(4)(b) for the purpose of receiving legal advice on 1041 Regulation matters and C.R.S. 24-6-402 (4)(f)(I) for personnel matters.

Oswald moved to recess for lunch at 11:58 a.m. Lening seconded, motion carried. The meeting resumed at 1:07 p.m.

New Business:

• Monthly reports were handed out to the Board.
• Time-Off Requests: None
• New Hire Report/ Employee Update: None
• 5.25% Limitation Ballot Question Resolution 2026-9: Oswald moved to approve, Lening seconded, Motion carried.
• Plainview School Letter of Support Request: Adamson will draft a letter of support to the State regarding the highway between Plainview and the state line.
• Historic Preservation Letter of Support Request: Lening moved to sign letter of support, Robertson seconded. Motion carried.

Adjournment

With no further business, Oswald moved to adjourn at 2:30 pm; Robertson seconded. Motion carried. Next Regular Meeting: Thursday, September 24, 2026, at 9:00 a.m.

/s/Donald Oswald

Donald Oswald, Chairman BOCC 9-24-2026

/s/Adrienne Yates

Adrienne Yates, County Clerk