BOCC Minutes May 12, 2026

PROCEEDINGS OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

MONTEZUMA COUNTY, COLORADO

May 12, 2026

STATE OF COLORADO           )

                                                     ) ss.

COUNTY OF MONTEZUMA   )

At a regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners, Montezuma County, Colorado, held on Tuesday May 12, 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 May 12, 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, April 28, 2026 as presented.  The motion was seconded by Commissioner Lindsay and carried.

PUBLIC HEARING: It being the time set aside a public hearing was held for review and determination regarding a proposed Subdivision Amendment Application to Lots 1&2 of the Frank Spore Subdivision, 1st Amended, submitted by Ron & Shawn Russell and Jonas & Ella Keim, on properties located at 25582 & 25640 Road T, Dolores, CO, consisting of 28.72 & 8.39 acres, more or less, both located west of Road 26, south of Road T, situated in Section 14, Township 37N, Range 16W, N.M.P.M. The roll was called, the public notice read, and the proceedings were recorded for the record.   Mr. Russell and Mr. Keim were present.    Planning Director, Don Haley along with Assistant, S. Jane Duncan presented the details of the application and the findings of the Planning and Zoning Commission.  Commissioner Candelaria opened the hearing to public comment.  Hearing no public comment, that portion of the hearing was closed.  After hearing all the evidence presented Commissioner Lindsay moved to accept the proposed Subdivision Amendment Application to Lots 1&2 of the Frank Spore Subdivision, 1st Amended, submitted by Ron & Shawn Russell and Jonas & Ella Keim, on properties located at 25582 & 25640 Road T, Dolores, CO, consisting of 28.72 & 8.39 acres, more or less.  Seconded by Commissioner Koppenhafer and carried.  Commissioner Candelaria closed the hearing at this time.  (See attached)

PLANNING: Director, Haley along with Assistant, Duncan presented for signatures a Mylar for a Subdivision Amendment & Rezoning of the High-Duran Subdivision, submitted by Johnnie & Allison Duran and Tyson & Jaime Cox, on properties located at 20508 & 20390 Road S, Cortez, CO, consisting of 16.68 & 3.03 acres, more or less, located east of Road 20, south of Road S, situated in Section 25, Township 37N, Range 17W, N.M.P.M.

PLANNING: Director, Haley along with Assistant, Duncan presented for signatures an Addendum to High Impact Permit #HIP-01-2026, submitted by Wynn Sanders & Lauren D’Abate; agent: Bryan Davis, on property located at 30550 Road H, Cortez, CO, consisting of 37 acres, more or less, south of Road H, east of Hwy 160-491, situated in Section 34, Township 36N, Range 15W, N.M.P.M.

PLANNING: Director, Haley along with Assistant, Duncan presented for signatures a Mylar for a Single Lot Development & AR3-9 Rezoning Application, submitted by Sharon Palmer; agent: Brian McLaughlin, on property located at 6015 Hwy 160-491, Cortez, CO, consisting of 7 acres, more or less, located north of Road F, west of Hwy 160-491, situated in Section 9 Township 35N, Range 16W, N.M.P.M.

Item (s) Needing Individual Consideration: 

LIQUOR LICENSE: Deputy Clerk, Jerri Frizzell met with the Commissioners to present a  liquor license renewal application for the Maverik Inc. DBA Maverik #763, located at 7255 US Hwy. 160/491, Cortez Co 81321.  Commissioner Koppenhafer moved to approve the renewal of the  retail liquor license application for Maverik Inc., Maverik #763, located at 7255 US Hwy. 160/491.  Second by Commissioner Lindsay and carried.  (See attached)

LODGERS TAX COMMITTEE: During the Monday Workshop, the Lodger’s Tax Committee presented their recommendations for the Lodger’s Tax Fund Disbursements.  Commissioner Lindsay moved to approve the Lodgers Tax award recommendations as presented. Second by Commissioner Koppenhafer and carried.  (See attached). 

DISCUSSION: During the Monday Workshop the bids for a Compensation Study Services were presented for review.  It was recommended to accept Pontifex, in the amount of $39,500.00.  Commissioner Koppenhafer moved to accept the Compensation Study bid from Pontifex for $39,500.00, for the Montezuma County Compensation Study bids.  Second by Commissioner Lindsay and carried.  (See attached) 

DISCUSSION:  The proposal to utilize USDA Wildlife Services for Vector Controls at the Landfill, Courthouse, and Sheriff’s Office was tabled to a future date.  

BOARD OF COUNTY HEALTH:  Chairman Candelaria announced the meeting would adjourn  as the Board of County Commissioners and reconvene as the Board of County Health.

Laurel Schafer, Assistant Director of Public Health met with the Commissioners to present a proposed Intergovernmental Agreement for the provision of vaccination services by the Montezuma County Board of Health for the Dolores County Board of Health.  Commissioner Lindsay moved to accept and sign the Intergovernmental Agreement for the provision of vaccination services by the Montezuma County Board of Health for the Dolores County Board of Health.  Seconded by Commissioner Koppenhafer and carried.  (See attached)

Chairman Candelaria announced the meeting would adjourn as the Board of Health and reconvene as the Board of County Commissioners.

PUBLIC COMMENT: No public comment was presented

Continued, Item (s) Needing Individual Consideration:

DISCUSSION:  The discussion related to timekeeping practices in the Sheriff’s Office was postponed to the next Board of County Commissioner meeting on May 19, 2026.  Commissioner Lindsay moved that the Chairman direct staff to invite the Sheriff and his staff for a discussion on the time keeping practices at the Sheriff’s office.  Second by Commissioner Koppenhafer and carried.  

DISCUSSION:   During the Monday Workshop a discussion related to the proposed Sales Tax Ballot Measure was held.  The original proposed split was 60% for the Sheriff’s Office and 40% for the Road and Bridge department.  A new split was proposed of 60% Sheriff’s Office, 30% for Road and Bridge (HMA) hard surface, and 10% to create a fund for trash and rubbish cleanup projects within the County.

COUNTY ATTORNEY REPORT: County Attorney, Stephen Tarnowski,  reported he was working on day-to-day projects, gave an update on the Ironwood Solid Waste case, the Leaf Properties case, and the Friend of the Court, Amicus Brief.  Other topics discussed included: Christy Birdsar has joined the office as a legal assistant, Assistant County Attorney Maxwell will be on vacation next week, draft proposed ballot measures, and the passing of HB 26-1239.  

COUNTY ADINISTRATOR REPORT: Administrator Anderson reported on the award of grant funding from DOLA for the hard surface evaluations, a proposed partnership project with the City of Cortez, the motor grader purchase, the tree evaluation, discussions with Kate Sawyer on the infrastructure review, the upfitting of the Sheriffs vehicle, working on financial invoice issues, and  the Road and Bridge OSHA trainings.  (See attached)

PAYABLE EXPENDITURE REPORT: Administrator Anderson presented for approval the March 2026 Accounts Payable Expenditure Reports in the amount of $3,408,396.72.  Commissioner Lindsay moved to approve the March payables of $3,408,396.72.  Seconded by Commissioner Koppenhafer and carried.   (See attached)

COUNTY CLERK & RECORDER: Clerk & Recorder Kim Percell discussed the June Primary election.  Ballots will be mailed the week of June 8, 2026.  Election Day is June 30, 2026.  The 24 hour drop box at the Clerk’s office will be open June 8, 2026 and the remaining 24 hour drop boxes will be open on June 23, 2026.  Early voting begins June 22, 2026 at the County Annex. 

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

Commissioner Lindsay discussed the attended Republican Candidate debate, the virtual attendance of the Region 9 meeting, attended the Cortez City Council transitional meeting, and the scheduled Cortez City Council meeting.

Commissioner Koppenhafer discussed the attended applicant interviews for the General Manager position for Southwest Water Conservation District and the local awards of Bucket 2 Environmental Drought Mitigation grant funds from the Bureau of Reclamation.

Commissioner Candelaria discussed the 12 Hours of Mesa Verde Bike event,  attendance at the NACO Western Region Conference, drought and wildfire preparedness, the (SRS) Secure Rural Schools funding, the Workshop Region 9 presentation, working with Road and Bridge, and the ending of the State legislative session.

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

CORRESPONDENCE: The following correspondence was read and noted: The Senior Services May 2026 newsletter)

ADJOURNED: 9:44 a.m.

___________________________                              ____________________________

Clerk        May 12, 2026                                             Chairman