Kiowa County Board of Commissioners Meeting Minutes

The Regular meeting of the Kiowa County Commissioners was called to order on March 12, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. by Chairman Donald Oswald.

Present

• Donald Oswald, Chairman
• Howard #Butch" Robertson, Commissioner
• Mike Lening, Commissioner
• Adrienne Vates, County Clerk
• Tina Adamson, County Administrator

Members of Audience

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 February 26, 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, Lening seconded. Motion carried.

Old Business

• Grant Updates: Adamson provided the state with requested Information to proceed with the transit building grant. Adamson is still working on the grants for transit vans. The application period for the mini grants Is now open; Adamson will work on those. Adamson handed out a letter to the state to be signed by the BOCC regarding the Transit Building grant to keep moving forward. Robertson moved to sign the letter, Oswald seconded, motion carried.
• Landfill/Recycling Update/ LF Expansion: Adamson has prepared a letter to Attorney Osborn regarding potential land purchase east of the landfill. Robertson moved to sign letter, Lening seconded, motion carried.
• Housing Update: Still waiting for certificate of occupancy from SECED.
• Planning & Zoning Update: Permitting is ongoing for Stum RV parks, Adamson and Donna Adame attended a conference last week where they learned more about potential data center Impacts to the county.
• Road & Bridge/ Gravel Usage & Fees: Adamson posted the road closure notice for County Road 78. The notice was provided to both newspapers and it will be posted In the Tribune KS paper. Adamson provided the 2025 gravel usage report. 1431 yds from the Barnett Pit, 1204 yds from the Harris Pit, and 1422 yds from the Peters Pit and some use from other. There was discussion about raising the purchase price of gravel. R&B Is working with the seller of one of the semi's that were purchased due to mechanical Issues to get it fixed. Adamson handed out estimates for chip sealing roads. Adamson provided Affidavit of Authority options for the Wycoff pit. Lening moved, Robertson seconded to sign the affidavit of authority.
• Maintenance & Repairs/ Basement Leaks/ PH / Court Electrical: Public Health Is having recurrences of sewer smell, which is being addressed at an office level. There was discussion about possibly using already purchased flooring at public health. The Bransgrove & Murdock buildings are still having leaks in the basement Adamson has been checking with contractors to see about repairs.

Oswald moved to recess for lunch at 12:15 p.m., Lening seconded, motion carried. Meeting resumed at 1:15 p.m.

Appointments

Public Hearing- Stum RV Parks: Oswald moved to recess Regular session and enter Public Hearing at 10:01 am. Lane Stum presented to the audience regarding his proposed RV parks. One Is on the SE corner of Sheridan Lake, 8.8 acres with 14 RV spots. Another 4.2 acre spot In Towner, holding 28 RV spots, and the third is also in Towner on Faithwalk Farms land. The water for the Sheridan Lake park would be from the town which Is why space Is limited. The two in Towner the water would be provided from wells. Stum added the purpose of the RV Parks is to provide a place for incoming construction workers for the renewable energy projects in the short term. Dawna Adame added there could be a need for longer term as there is potential for more projects in the area. Stum provided details on infrastructure regarding septic and water. Adame advised the audience the State requires any commercial septic system must be professional engineered to prevent contamination. Audience Attendees: Garald Deines, Tammy Stum, Brett Blackburn, Kaili Ward, Pruthul Patel, Chris Stum, Alex Schmidt, Kelvin Schmidt

Robertson motion to close public hearing, Oswald seconded, motion carried at 10:15 a.m.

Regular meeting resumed at 10:16 a.m.

• Glen Marciniak- Veterans Update: Glen Marciniak entered the meeting at 10:40 a.m. Marciniak provided an update on the status of Veterans In the county. Marciniak advised the board that approximately 2/3 of the county veterans are not receiving any kind of benefits. Marciniak left the meeting at 11:20 a.m.
• Audrey Johnson - DSS Update: Audrey Johnson, Director of DSS entered the meeting at 1:15 p.m. Johnson discussed the Collaborative Management payments and distributions. The school district reached out to Johnson about helping support after prom at Eads and Planview. There ls a program entering Kiowa County based in Prowers to help support fathers. Johnson handed out estimates for new locks for the DSS office interior doors, Oswald moved to accept the Dexter lock estimate, Lening seconded. Motion carried. Johnson exited the meeting at 1:34 p.m.
• Heather Otter - Resilient Colorado: Heather joined by telephone. Otter explained to the board what Resilient Colorado does, their mission and vision for the Kiowa County region. Otter Is hopeful that support can be provided for opioid addiction by training families and caregivers, schools, and church leaders. There was discussion about what the letter of support would do and how the money would be allocated across our nine county regions.
• Amy Valentine - LCC Update/Boots, Bling & Blessing: Amy Valentine entered the meeting at 2:45 p.m. Valentine presented about enrollment, programs, and updates about LCC to Include a newly added 4 year bachelor's degree, welding program, equine, and massage therapy. Valentine handed out information on the upcoming LCC Fundraiser "Boots, Bling, & Blessings" on Saturday April 18th.
• Jeff Scranton - Landfill Update: Jeff Scranton entered the meeting at 2:30 p.m. Scranton does not have an update on the shredder other than the state is wanting to know the county wants a state inspector to be onsite when commercial/construction waste Is shredded to be able to watch for asbestos. Scranton discussed with the board about him attending a certification class to become a certified building inspector for asbestos. Scranton was also approached about handling recycling differently through another private non-profit group. Scranton discussed his concerns with the process not being cost effective and could potentially requiring hauling recyclables further. Scranton advised a concrete crusher out of Burlington will be coming soon to take a look and give an estimate. Scranton exited the meeting at 3:20 p.m.
• Sheriff Williams entered the meeting at 10:35 am, provided an update on the purchased radios and advised the board the Sheriffs Office has a donor willing to purchase new vests for the deputies. Sheriff Williams exited the meeting at 10:47 am.

Meeting recessed at 11:55 a.m. for lunch.

Meeting resumed at 1:00 p.m.

New Business

• Monthly reports were handed out to the Board.
• Time-Off Requests: None
• New Hire Progress Report: None
• Resilient Colorado letter of Support: Robertson moved to sign, Oswald seconded, motion carried,
• KCFPD Water Rescue Equipment: After discussion, the BOCC declined to approve the purchase at this time.
• Stum Conditional Use Permits and Subdivision Exemption Applications: Tabled for next meeting

Adjournment

With no further business, Lening moved to adjourn at 3:45 p.m., Robertson seconded. Motion carried. Next Regular Meeting: Thursday, March 26, 2026, at 9:00 a.m.

/s/Donald Oswald

Donald, Charman BOCC 3/26/26

/s/Adrienne Yates

Adrienne Yates, County Clerk 03-26-2026