BOCC Minutes March 3, 2026

PROCEEDINGS OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

MONTEZUMA COUNTY, COLORADO

March 3, 2026

STATE OF COLORADO           )

                                                     ) ss.

COUNTY OF MONTEZUMA   )

At a regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners, Montezuma County, Colorado, held on Tuesday March 3, 2026 at the Montezuma County Administration building in Cortez, Colorado, there were present:

Jim Candelaria, Chairman

Kent Lindsay, Vice Chairman

Gerald Koppenhafer, Commissioner of Deeds

Travis Anderson, County Administrator

Stephen Tarnowski, County Attorney

Kim Percell, County Clerk

CHAIRMAN CANDELARIA opened the meeting of March 3 , 2026 with the Pledge of Allegiance.

MINUTES: Commissioner Koppenhafer moved to approve the Proceedings of the Board of County Commissioners for Montezuma County, held on Tuesday, February 17, 2026 as presented.  The motion was seconded by Commissioner Lindsay and carried.

PLANNING: Planning Director, Don Haley along with Assistant, S. Jane Duncan presented for signatures of a Setback Variance submitted by Larry Mahaffey, on property located at 23892 Road M, Cortez, CO, consisting of 1.12 acres, more or less, located south of Road M, west of Hwy 491, situated in Section 16, Township 36N, Range 16W, N.M.P.M. 

RESOLUTION #1-2026 A resolution of the Board of County Commissioners of Montezuma County approving the setback variance request submitted by Larry Mahaffey was presented for approval.  Commissioner Lindsay moved to adopt a resolution of the Board of County Commissioners of Montezuma County approving the setback variance request submitted by Larry Mahaffey, resolution number is to be determined by the Clerk.  Second by Commissioner Koppenhafer and carried. (See attached)

Planning Director Haley along with Assistant Duncan presented a Mylar for signatures for the Subdivision Amendment and Rezoning Application to Lot 1 of the Pinyon Perch Subdivision, submitted by Tova Spector, on property located at 13699 Road 32.4, Mancos, CO, consisting of 21.16 acres, more or less, located west of Road 33, north of Road P, situated in Section 1, Township 36N, Range 15W, N.M.P.M

Deletions/Changes to Agenda:

PUBLIC COMMENT: No public comments were made.

CONSENT AGENDA:

Commissioner Lindsay moved to approve the consent agenda, as presented.  Second by Commissioner Koppenhafer and carried. 

The Consent Agenda items acted upon by the Board were as follows:

• Approval of updated Procurement Policy (See Attached)
• Approval of request from 12 Hours of Mesa Verde
• Signature of Letter of Support to the State Joint Budget Committee for the Paths to Mesa Verde project (See attached)
• Approval of Request for Proposals for a pay scale and classification study for all County employees (See attached)
• Approval of Veteran’s Assistance Grant application (See attached)
• Approval of employee job change/pay schedule request from Health Department
• Appointment of Scott Magness to Cortez Cemetery Board (See attached)
• Approval of Chipseal Oil Request for Proposals (See attached)
• Approval of Planet Excavation Change Order 2 (See attached)

Item (s) Needing Individual Consideration:

DISCUSSION: During the Monday Workshop Landfill Manager, Mel Jarmon presented quotes for the purchase of a grapple for the Landfill.  Quotes received included: Wagner Cat in the amount of $29,022.94, Power Equipment Company in the amount of $30,432.00 and John Deer in the amount of $28,105.00.  Commissioner Koppenhafer moved to approve the bid from John Deer for the Grab Tec RDX280 Demo Split Grapple 106” wide for $28,105.00, for the Landfill.  Second by Commissioner Lindsay and carried.  (See attached)

DISCUSSION: During the Monday Workshop Maintenance Supervisor, Dustin Sattler presented the 2026 Montezuma County Parking Lot Engineering and Quality Control bids.  Commissioner Koppenhafer recused himself from the discussion.  Bids received included Jones & DeMille Engineering on the amount of $41,500.00, SGM Inc., in the amount of $42,931.00 and Souder Miller & Associates Inc., in the amount of $56,311.80.  Commissioner  Candelaria moved to accept the engineering and quality control bid from Jones & DeMille Engineering at $41,500.00.  Second by Commissioner Lindsay and carried. (See attached) 

DISCUSSION: A discussion was held related to the Potential Sales Tax ballot question.  Topics discussed included a proposed 1% sales tax, a 60/40 split of the funds between the Sheriff’s Office and Road and Bridge and the exemption of agriculture equipment from the sales tax.   

COUNTY ATTORNEY REPORT: County Attorney, Stephen Tarnowski discussed scheduled Child Welfare trials and appeals, reported that the position of a County Legal assistant has been posted, gave updates on the Ironwood case, the Leaf Property case, an unemployment appeal hearing, the filing of the Land Use Code enforcement case and the Kelroy Newman trial. 

COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR REPORT: Administrator Travis Anderson discussed working with the Road & Bridge Department, working with the Finance and HR departments, County policy updates, material maps, equipment assistance, the attended dispatch meeting, working with the City Manager on partnership projects, the procurement programs, a future presentation from Performance Solutions, Kate Sawyer and discussions with the new La Plata County Administrator.

COUNTY COMMISSIONER REPORT: Topics within the Commissioners’ reports included:

Commissioner Lindsay discussed the attended Dispatch Accountability Committee meeting, the virtual Housing Solutions meetings and reported that he did not attend the Cortez City Council meeting.

Commissioner Koppenhafer discussed the attended Southwest Water Conservation District meetings and the Mancos Town Hall meeting.  

Commissioner Candelaria discussed the authority of the Board of County Commissioners to appoint a County Commissioner as the Road and Bridge Supervisor during the absence of a Road and Bridge superintendent, and that we are not required to have a Superintendent. Commissioner Candelaria has been appointed and is attending weekly / biweekly meetings with the Administrator and the Road & Bridge Department.  An overview was given of some of the things they are working on.  Other topics discussed included social media misinformation, the jail reimbursement rates, standing up to and working with the State, the annual mill levy certification, the proposed CCI legislative bills, SRS and PILT Funding, a small county NACO resolution and the 2018 Farm Bill.    

COUNTY CLERK & RECORDER: County Clerk, Kim Percell, clarified that the proposed term limit ballot question would not apply to her and mentioned the major party caucus and assembly schedules. 

EXECUTIVE SESSION Pursuant to Attorney Tarnowski’s suggestion, Commissioner Lindsay moved to go into executive session for a conference with the attorney for the purpose of receiving legal advice on specific legal questions under C.R.S. Section 24-6-402(4)(b).  Seconded by Commissioner Koppenhafer and carried.  Included in the session will be Commissioners Candelaria, Lindsay and Koppenhafer, Administrator Anderson, Attorney Tarnowski and Clerk Percell. Topics for the executive session were legal advice concerning the rules for government actors and employees as it relates to discussing or promoting proposed ballot measures.  Commissioner Lindsay moved to go out of executive session, seconded by Commissioner Koppenhafer and carried.   (See attached)

MOTION TO ADJOURN: Commissioner Lindsay moved to adjourn, seconded by Commissioner Koppenhafer and carried.

CORRESPONDENCE: The following correspondence was read and noted: The Montezuma County Social Services Record of Proceedings and reports. The Senior Services March 2026 newsletter and the February 2026 Emergency Management Monthly Situation Report.  

ADJOURNED: 10:28 a.m.

___________________________                              ____________________________

Clerk        March 3, 2026                                            Chairman