Kiowa County Board of Commissioners Meeting Minutes

The Regular meeting of the Kiowa County Commissioners was called to order on June 11, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. by Chairman Donald Oswald.

Present:

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

Members of Audience:

• Madison Wrobely with lnvenergy

Call to Order:

• Chairman Donald Oswald called to order at 9:04 a.m.
• Commissioner Lening opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance
• Commissioner Lening moved to approve the minutes from May 28, 2026. Robertson seconded. Motion carried.
• Commissioner Robertson moved to approve the vouchers as presented; Lening seconded, motion carried.
• Commissioner Oswald moved to approve the agenda with 3 additions; CUP, Fire District MOU, VSO. Lening seconded and the motion carried.

Old Business:

• Grant Updates: The CDOT Grant for a transit garage, FASTER Grant for Transit vehicles and SECOG Mini Grants were discussed all are moving forward.
• Landfill / Recycling: The waste from the Xcel Transmission Project was reviewed. Cost of recycling may increase due to transportation cost increases. Planning discussion will start at this afternoons work session.
• Housing: Oswald gave an update on Cactus Corner; no progress has been made yet.
• Planning & Zoning Update: The issues with the railroad crossings and the lack of cleanup of last years derailment was discussed again. Adamson will schedule a work session with the Towns and Crowley County Commissioners to try to find a solution to these issues. The public hearing date for the JUWI Adobe Creek Solar Project 1041 Application was set for Tuesday, July 21, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. The impact mitigation plans were discussed.
• Road & Bridge Update: JUWl's request for widening CR F and constructing CR 8 north of Highway 96 three miles to CR F. The BOCC is agreeable to starting the process to change CR 44.6 to CR 45.
• Sales/Use Tax Question: The sales/use tax survey results were discussed. Meeting opportunities were reviewed.
• Repairs Update: Adamson provided an update on the flooring schedule. The epoxy flooring installation has been completed at the community building, and the Public Health flooring installation is scheduled for the week of June 22nd.

Oswald moved to recess for lunch at 12:05 a.m. The meeting resumed at 1:05 p.m.

Appointments:

• Shellie Engelhardt, Emergency Manager, handed out two plans for the BOCC review; Railroad Weed & Fire Mitigation and Evacuation & Transportation Guidance. Plans and estimates for an EM storage building were discussed.
• Audrey Johnson, Social Services Director, gave an update on the recent CCI Conference, funding changes from the State, and shared services. Office cleaning was discussed and it was approved to look for someone who would clean weekly on a contract basis. Kiowa County Social Services Department received the CST AT Award again this year.
• Shane Lessenden came in at 1:30 to give the BOCC an update on equipment and road repairs.

New Business:

• Monthly reports were handed out to the Board.
• Time-Off Requests: None
• New Hire Progress Report: We have a new Deputy in the Sheriff's Office. Dusty Nordyke started this week.
• The Shortgrass Energy CUP was tabled.
• The MOU with the Fire District for storing a fire truck in the Eads County Shop was reviewed. Robertson moved and Lening seconded to approve the MOU. Motion carried.
• The regional Veterans Service Officer is no longer serving Kiowa County. The options for filling the position were discussed. No decision was made at this time.

Adjournment

With no further business, Lening moved to adjourn at 3:55 pm; Robertson seconded. Motion carried. Next Regular Meeting: Thursday, June 25, 2026, at 9:00 a.m.

/s/Adrienne Yates /s/Donald Oswald

Adrienne Yates, County Clerk Donald Oswald, Chairman BOCC 9-25-2026