Kiowa County Board of Commissioners Meeting Minutes

The Regular meeting of the Kiowa County Commissioners was called to order on May 14, 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

Member of Audience:

• Madison Wrobley

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 April 23, 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 with 3 additions; Robertson seconded. Motion carried.

Old Business:

• Grant Updates / COOT Grant: The transit building is ready to be ordered. No update on mini-grants, Adamson will reach out to Kyle about the concrete. Oswald has sent several pictures to Stephanie regarding the mini grants that have been completed. Adamson has not received the applications for the new ones. The state has not updated where the transit vehicles can be purchased, and the procurement portal is not available yet.
• Landfill / Recycling: No update on the delivery date for the shredder. The state is sending updates on what is needed to use the shredder. The state has sent the inspector to test the scale.
• Housing: No changes
• Planning & Zoning Update/ Fees/ Regulations: Dawna Adame, Land Use Admin entered the meeting at 2:40 pm to discuss her findings from other counties who charge other fees for developments, construction and permits.
• Road & Bridge/ Gravel Pit Lease Request: There has been a request to widen County Road F to 24' for about a 5-mile stretch, Adamson will prepare a resolution for another request regarding County Road 8 from Hwy 96 north to County Road F. There has been an out of County request to lease a gravel pit for an out of County project. The board decided to deny the request; Shane Lessenden will contact the owner of the company who requested the lease.
• Sales/Use Tax Question: Adamson handed out a list of possible sales tax use ideas to prepare for advertising.

Appointments:

• Board of Health/ Public Hearing: Oswald moved to recess regular session for Public Hearing for Reg 43, Board of Health at 9:55 a.m.
• Robertson moved to adjourn the Board of Health meeting and resume regular session at 10:31 a.m.
• Greg Laudenslager - JUWI Presentation: Laudenslager presented a proposed solar project in Kiowa County.
• Will Kurtz - Gingerich/ Transit Building: Plans and contract details were finalized for materials to be used on the transit building so construction can be started later this summer. Lening moved to sign Construction Contract, Robertson seconded, motion carried.
• Audrey Johnson - DSS Report: Johnson will be attending the CCI conference in the first week of June. Johnson gave an overview of a couple of Colorado legislative bills that will impact child welfare. The contracted services with Logan County are going well; the first bill just came to the Kiowa office today.
• Kit Haskins - FM Station on TV Tower: Haskins owns/operates an FM radio station out of Lamar that can receive emergency alerts. Haskins inquired about the process of adding his signal to the Kiowa County tower.

Oswald moved to recess for lunch at 11:55 a.m. The meeting resumed at 1:00 p.m.

• Sheriff Williams entered the meeting at 2:00 p.m. to discuss some issues his office is encountering wind farm construction. There was also discussion about other traffic complaints the sheriff's office is encountering. Sheriff Williams exited the meeting at 2:20 p.m.

Oswald moved to recess for job interviews at 3:30 p.m.

The meeting resumed at 4:30 p.m.

New Business

• Monthly reports were handed out to the Board.
• Time-Off Requests: None
• New Hire Progress Report: No negative reports
• Passports: The Clerk's office will begin looking into the cost and begin the application process of becoming an authorized passport acceptance facility.
• Community Building Flooring Estimate: Adamson handed out an estimate for redoing the flooring with color options for the board to look at. Oswald moved to put in for a mini grant to be used to epoxy the floor. Robertson seconded. Roll Call- Robertson: Yes, Lening: No, Oswald: Yes. Motion carried.
• CLCEC Summer Bash Series / Horseshoe Park: The Crow Luther Cultural Events Center has requested use of the park once again this summer for 5 nights. Betsy Barnett is requesting lighting and the stage. Adamson will have Maintenance add to it.
• Museum: Adamson received estimates for replacing/repairing the gutter that came off the museum. Both estimates were close in price; Adamson will check to see who can complete the work quickest. Adamson has also received a request to replace some windows and has received estimates. Robertson moved to approve the repairs/upgrades to the museum, Lening seconded. Motion carried.

Adjournment

With no further business, Oswald moved to adjourn at 5:45 pm; Robertson seconded. Motion carried. Next Regular Meeting: Thursday, May 28, 2026, at 9:00 a.m.

Donald Oswald, Chairman BOCC

Adrienne Yates, County Clerk