Kiowa County Board of Commissioners Meeting Minutes

The Regular meeting of the Kiowa County Commissioners was called to order on February 12, 2026, 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 the Audience:

• Madison Wrobley – lnvenergy

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 January 29th, 2026. Lening 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 with 2 additions - CPW Impact Assistance Grant & COSI Scholarship Grant; Robertson seconded; motion carried.

Old Business:

• Grant Updates: Mini Grants: The courthouse east sidewalk is on the list for early summer. There was discussion on possible uses of the other grants.
• Landfill/Recycling:
• Housing: Still waiting for SECED update on completion progress of Cactus Corner.
• Planning & Zoning Update: Land Use has sent out notices to developers for Impact Assessments for Select Kiowa County 1041 Permit Applications. Several companies have said they will be submitting permit applications in the next several months.
• Road & Bridge: Adamson asked if the board wanted to renew the CAT agreement. Adamson will get more information on cost and what is included. Adamson presented an application for an open position with R&B.

Appointments:

• Board of Health: Robertson moved to recess regular session to enter BOH meeting at 10:05 a.m., Lening seconded. Motion carried.
• Oswald moved to adjourn BOH at 10:54 a.m. Lening seconded. Regular session resumed.
• AP HIS-Wildlife Update: Joey Gacnik & John Callon with USDA did a presentation on feral swine in Kiowa County in the fall of 2025. In total 17 hogs were removed. If you are having wildlife/human conflicts the USDA can be contacted at http://www.aphis.usda.gov Reminder: Do not feed wildlife: dontfeedwlldlife.aphls.usda.gov
• Beth Bell, Ambulance Service: Beth Bell entered the meeting at 11:30 a.m. Bell discussed what presentations will be done at their event on February 18th at 6:00 p.m.. at the Eads Senior Center. Discussion about air ambulance Insurance coverage and new ambulances will be on display. The hospital is working on a grant to obtain ALS equipment. Ambulance barn construction date has been pushed back slightly to March 2026. The hospital Is starting to build a blood bank. Bell exited the meeting at 12:40 p.m.
• Audrey Johnson, DSS Report: Audrey Johnson, Director of Social Services entered the meeting at 1:04p.m. Johnson updated on the injunction that was signed regarding the federal funding freeze. There was a slightly higher turnout for commodities holding It on Monday afternoons. Johnson brought further Information regarding the contract with Logan County that highlights hourly rates for staff. Johnson provided what Cheyenne County uses in their agreement with Logan County. Lening moved to approve the IGA with Logan County for contracted staffing services. Robertson seconded. Motion carried. Johnson has been attending weekly meetings regarding shared services in state district offices. An update was provided on possible changes on county allocations by using different formulas, nothing has been determined at this time. Johnson exited the meeting at 1:25 p.m.
• Jeff Scranton, Landfill Report: Jeff Scranton, Landfill foreman entered the meeting at 1:25 p.m. Scranton handed out an end of year summary for 2025. Scranton also presented potential future design plans for the landfill.
• Betsy Barnett, CLCEC / Library Grant: Betsy Barnett entered the meeting. Barnett gave an update on the library project and grant status. The project was accepted on January 20th for the historical tax credits possibly in 2028. CLCEC Is still in need of GAP funding because of the timing for the tax credit reception and the DOLA grant needing to be done by end of 2026. Barnett presented an idea based off Cheyenne County BOCC using a CD as collateral for a loan. Barnett is asking for a $350,000 loan using a CD at 0 percent, CLCEC at 1 percent, at the end the construction loan would be paid off, and the County would receive their money back through the tax credit. The county loan is a worst-case scenario if needed situation. The CLCEC will be applying for more grants soon including a $250,000 grant which would decrease the need from the county. Oswald moved to commit a CD up to $350,000 towards CLCEC library project through December 2028. Robertson seconded. Roll Call-Robertson: aye, Lening-aye, Oswald -aye. Motion carried 3-0. Barnett exited the meeting at 4:10 p.m.

New Business:

• Monthly reports were handed out to the Board.
• Time-Off Requests: None
• New Hire Progress Report: New hires are progressing well.
• Courtroom Audio /Visuals Upgrade: Adamson has received a request from the courts regarding an upgrade In June. The court provided a list of electrical upgrades they request the county complete prior to the upgrade at the county's cost. Adamson has not received an estimate for what it will cost. Oswald moved to approve the needed upgrades, Lening seconded. Motion carried.
• Public Health Indirect Cost Allocation Plan: Adamson handed out the annual plan for approval by the BOCC to be sent to the state. Robertson moved to approve, Lening seconded. Motion carried.
• KCHD letter of Support: For DOLA IEAF grant that was previously approved. Robertson moved to ratify, Oswald seconded. Motion carried.
• Medical leave Bank Policy: Adamson requested clearer definitions of how hours are to be used. Lening moved to clarify language to read the Leave Bank is for terminal illness diagnosis only. Robertson seconded. Motion carried.
• Resolution 2026-3 Elected Officials Salaries: Previously approved, signed by the BOCC
• Resolution 2026-4 Ambulance Authorization: Lening moved to approve the Resolution, Oswald seconded, motion carried.
• KCHD Annual IGA for Ambulance Services: Lening moved, Robertson seconded to approve and sign the IGA. Motion carried.
• Colorado Parks & Wildlife Impact Assistance Grant: Annual agreement, Robertson moved to approve and sign the agreement, Lening seconded. Motion carried.
• COSI Scholarship Grant Support: Lening moved to approved and sign the letter of support, Robertson seconded. Motion carried.

Adjournment

With no further business, Oswald moved to adjourn at 5:04 pm, Lening seconded. Motion carried. Next Regular Meeting: Thursday, February 26th, 2026, at 9:00 a.m.

/s/Donald Oswald

Donald Osward, Chairman BOCC 2-26-2026

/s/Adrienne Yates

Adrienne Yates, County Clerk 02-26-2026