BOCC Minutes June 23, 2026

PROCEEDINGS OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

MONTEZUMA COUNTY, COLORADO

June 23, 2026

STATE OF COLORADO           )

                                                     ) ss.

COUNTY OF MONTEZUMA   )

At a regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners, Montezuma County, Colorado, held on Tuesday June 23, 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 June 23, 2026 with the Pledge of Allegiance.

BOARD OF COUNTY HEALTH:  It being the time set aside a public hearing is held by the Montezuma County Board of Health, to consider evidence regarding a possible violation of state and local On-site Wastewater Treatment System (OWTS) regulations at the following property: 29181 Road J.6, Cortez, Colorado 81321. The roll was called, the public notice read, and the proceedings were recorded for the record.   Property owner Nelson Smith was present.   Public Health Director Bobbi Lock, along with Linda Hill Environmental Health Specialist, presented the details.  Commissioner Lindsay moved to continue the public hearing until July 7, 2026 at 9:00 a.m.  Second 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

MINUTES: Commissioner Koppenhafer moved to approve the Proceedings of the Board of County Commissioners of Montezuma County for Tuesday, June 16, 2026, as presented.  The motion was seconded by Commissioner Lindsay and carried.

Deletions / Changes to Agenda:

PUBLIC COMMENT: No public comment was presented. 

CONSENT AGENDA:

Commissioner Lindsay moved to approve the consent agenda which consists of the approval of carrying forward the Private Activity Bond funding, approval of the Environmental Health Contract renewal, approval of the Elevating Prevention in Colorado (EPIC) contract, approval of the Gaming Impact grant proposal, and approval of the Jail Based Behavior Services/Axis Health System agreement.   Second by Commissioner Koppenhafer and carried.  (See attached)

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

• Approval of carrying forward the Private Activity Bond funding
• Approval of Environmental Health Contract renewal
• Approval of Elevating Prevention in Colorado (EPIC) contract
• Approval of Gaming Impact grant proposal
• Approval of Jail Based Behavior Services/Axis Health System agreement

Item (s) Needing Individual Consideration:

COUNTY ATTORNEY REPORT: County Attorney, Stephen Tarnowski,  Topics discussed within the Attorney’s report included, the Leaf Properties / Dollar Store Case, the Ironwood Property case, a new property tax appeal, a child welfare appeal and reviewing the conference sessions.

COUNTY ADINISTRATOR REPORT: Administrator Anderson discussed  an incident with the Landfill gate, working on the omnibus agreement, and the USDA vector control documents.

COUNTY CLERK & RECORDER: Clerk & Recorder Kim Percell reported that currently  there have been 2065 Primary Election ballots returned and mentioned that the Vote Service Polling Center as well as all 24 hour drop boxes are now open.  Clerk Percell reminded the public that both the Motor Vehicle and Recording Department will be closed on June 30, so that all employees may help with the Primary Election.

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

Commissioner Koppenhafer discussed the attended Montezuma Valley Irrigation and the Southwest Water Conservation District meetings.  

Commissioner Lindsay mentioned constituent phone calls and reported that there was no Cortez City Council meeting scheduled until July.    

Commissioner Candelaria gave an update on the Road & Bridge’s mag chloride program.

EXECUTIVE SESSION: Pursuant to Attorney Tarnowski’s suggestion, Commissioner Lindsay moved to go into Executive Session to discuss matters that may be subject to negotiations with employees or employee organizations, to develop strategies or to receive reports and instruct negotiators pursuant to CRS 24-6-402(4)(e) and also moved to go into executive session for the purposes of receiving legal advice pursuant to CRS 24-6-402(4)(b). Seconded by Commissioner Koppenhafer and carried.  Included in the sessions will be Commissioners Candelaria, Lindsay and Koppenhafer, Administrator Anderson, Attorney Tarnowski, Clerk Percell, Sheriff Steve Nowlin, HR Technician Dennis Bugg, and Finance Director Robert Dobry.  The specific topic of the first executive session is a discussion related to the county budget and sheriff’s office pay plan for 2027. Topics for the second executive session were legal risks and strengths of different human resources practices that are available to the county.  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:

ADJOURNED: 10:29 a.m.

___________________________                              ____________________________

Clerk        June 23, 2026                                             Chairman