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

Kiowa County Board of Commissioners meeting minutes - September 25, 2025

Kiowa County Courthouse in Eads, Colorado. © Chris Sorensen

(Kiowa County Press)

Kiowa County Commissioners meeting minutes September 25, 2025

The Regular meeting of the Kiowa County Commissioners was called to order on September 251h, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. by Commissioner Donald Oswald. Commissioner Oswald opened the meeting with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.

Present:

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

Members of Audience:

Madison Wrobley - Invenergy
Cindy McLoud - KCEDF entered the meeting at 9:40 a.m. / exited the meeting at 9:55 a.m.

Call to Order

Chairman Donald Oswald called to order at 9:00 a.m.
Commissioner Oswald opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance
Commissioner Robertson moved to approve the minutes from the previous meeting. Oswald seconded. Motion carried.
Oswald moved to approve the vouchers. Robertson seconded. Motion carried.
Oswald moved to approve the agenda with additions. Lening seconded. Motion carried.

Public Hearing: KCHD CDBG Grant:

Oswald moved to move Into Public Hearing at 10:00a.m. Robertson seconded, motion carried.
Bell presented stating the County Is applying for the grant with KCHD being the writer for the CDBG Grant The grant has two application phases, this is the first phase for the design and to get a better understanding of the scope of the project. The grant is for two projects; one is for the new Clinic building; second would be for the current clinic to be renovated and used for various outpatient therapies. Bell opened the hearing to public comment
Oswald moved to conclude public hearing at 10:13a.m., Robertson seconded, motion carried

Members of the audience:

Beth Bell - KCHD, Betsy Barnett - Kiowa County Independent

Old Business

Grant Updates: Roll-up doors and sidewalk have been approved, the water system In Haswell is still pending. Adamson would like to apply for a courthouse generator and pad using the underfunded courthouse grant Robertson moved, Lening seconded to approve applying for the grant, motion carried. The Legion Hall grant that has been awarded Is going to outside work; a new grant Is being applied for to work on the interior. The county may need to repay a portion of the awarded grant funds because of the due dates listed on the grant The interior grant would not cover any kitchen appliances, counters or cabinets. The Interior grant Is for $185,000 which would be for interior work, for the 2026 budget match funds would need to be added. Robertson moved to approved applying for the grant, Oswald seconded, Roll Call - Robertson: yes, Lening: yes, Oswald: yes. Motion carried.

Landfill/Recycling: No updates.

Housing: Teale Hemphill - SECED entered the meeting at 10:27am. Hemphill asked for Ideas for possible lots/homes to purchase to be used in conjunction with funding under Prop 123. Hemphill provided an update on funding applied for from DOLA with Prop 123. Funding will allow building of 14 single family homes in the region that can be built and sold once a buyer Is found. Funding was approved and the tentative timeline ls to break ground on 6-8 homes Spring of 2026, and 6-8 Spring 2027, locations not specified. Hemphill exited meeting at 10:58 a.m. Cactus Comer is nearing completion; landscaping has been approved

VSO Update: Joy Johnson - VSO entered the meeting at 11:00 a.m. Johnson introduced herself as the new VSO for Kiowa County. Johnson also covers Lincoln County, Washington County, and Cheyenne County. Johnson has reached out via email to Kiowa County veterans that are in the state system and has not heard back from any. Johnson is planning to be in Kiowa County on the 4th Monday of each month. October 27, 2025, Is the first office day. Johnson exited the meeting at 11:26 a.m.

Dennis Pearson, KCEDF and Cindy McLoud KCEDF entered the meeting at 11:20 a.m. KCEDF updated on the REDI Grant. The grant went into effect 08/2025 and is valid until 08/2026. A stipulation of the grant Is to have a full-time Director on KCEDF. A work session will be scheduled before the next commissioner’s meeting.

Oswald moved to recess for lunch at 11:57 a.m., Robertson seconded. Motion carried.

Regular session resumed at 1: 11 p.m.

Audrey Johnson DSS Director, Raina Lucero, and Eunice Weber entered the meeting 1:00 p.m.

Johnson provided DSS updates including what has been purchased with Family Development Grant: DSS received their CMP funds in August. The new case worker is progressing well. Johnson presented a pet in the office space which seems to be effective therapy for some clients. It was approved at DSS, if there are no problems, any others would need prior approval.

Johnson exited the meeting at 1:45 p.m.

Weber and Lucero presented on behalf of Kiowa County Fire District regarding impact fees. KCFPD is requesting funding to help mitigate the potential extra population during construction of renewable energy projects. The fire district would like to talk with the developers to see what equipment they will have on site and receive training regarding their projects. Adamson relayed part of the agreement with the developers is to provide some training and equipment. Adamson will reach out to Invenergy to make sure they are in communication with the fire district. Lening asked if grants are being considered as well as used equipment to help further any monies received.

Weber exited the meeting at 2:00 p.m.

Bryan Mattuski entered the meeting at 1:51p.m. Mattuski brought the new RETAC (Regional Emergency Medical and Trauma Services Advisory Councils) grant which has minimal changes that include the cots in the rigs. Oswald moved to approve the 2025 RETAC grant application, Robertson seconded, motion carried.

Mattuski exited the meeting at 2:0S

Planning & Zoning/ Road Issues /Permitting/ Impact Study/ Water Option:

Adamson advised there are 10 developers ready to submit Solar permit applications.

Road Issues: Adamson has requested a meeting with XCEL's group regarding reported road issues that are being fixed by County Road & Bridge, but no notifications are being made still. Adamson presented the updated 1041 Permitting Fee Schedule. Discussion was made about the Impact Study the County received and possible paths forward. Discussion about use of Ark Valley Conduit Water notice vs picking up water in town.

Road & Bridge / Fence in ROW Letter/ Stock Tanks in ROW Letter/ Schmidt Pit:

Adamson updated on a landowner that has built a fence in a right of way, Adamson handed out a letter for approval to be sent to the landowner. Adamson handed out a letter for the landowner for approval about a stock tank placed ln the bar ditch in the right of way. Oswald moved to sign the two right-of-way complaint letters, Lening seconded, motion carried.

The property that has the Schmidt Pit is going to be sold; Adamson informed the property owner that when the property sold a new agreement would be sent to the new owners.

Redistricting Update: There was discussion about options provided by the redistricting committee. Lening moved to postpone approval until after public hearings, Robertson seconded, motion carried. Adamson will set up the required three public hearings regarding redistricting before the BOCC makes a decision.

Sales/Use Tax: Will be discussed during the public hearings regarding redistricting.

New Business

Monthly reports were handed out to the Board.

Time-Off Requests: None

New Hire Report: New Deputy has started, new Road & Bridge employees are growing and working well so far.

Unfunded Mandates Resolution 2025-17: Lening moved to approve, Robertson seconded, motion carried.

1041 Permitting Fee Schedule: Oswald moved to approve Permitting Fee Schedule, Robertson seconded, motion carried.

CHP - Employer Options 2026: No changes from current options. Robertson moved to approve, Oswald seconded Motion carried.

SHF- Legion Hall Letter of Support: Robertson moved to sign the letter of support, Lening seconded. Motion carried.

SHF - KCPLD Letter of Support: Lening moved to sign the letter of support, Robertson seconded, motion carried.

Tax Assessment Letter: Lening moved to sign and send the tax assessment letter, Robertson seconded, motion carried.

CCI Legislative Committee Designee: Oswald moved to approve Mike Lening as designee and Robertson as secondary, Robertson seconded, motion carried.

MASA Employer Benefit Agreement: Lening moved to approve and sign agreement, Robertson seconded, motion carried.

SECRHA Prop 123 Allocation Letter: Robertson moved to approve letter for $50,000 to be used in Kiowa County, Lening seconded. Motion carried.

Executive Session for Personnel Matter: Oswald moved, pursuant to Colorado Revised Statutes, Title 24, Article 6, Section 402, at subsection 4(F)II) to go into executive session to discuss a personnel matter. This particular matter that is to be discussed behind closed doors is Sheriffs Office. Lening seconded at 3:42 p.m. Motion carried.

Oswald moved to go out of executive session and return to regular meeting at 3:55 p.m., Robertson seconded and the motion carried.

One applicant was interviewed for open Road & Bridge positions.

Oswald moved to hire applicant for Road & Bridge, Robertson seconded, and motion carried.