BOCC Minutes July 14th, 2026

PROCEEDINGS OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

MONTEZUMA COUNTY, COLORADO

July 14, 2026

STATE OF COLORADO           )

                                                     ) ss.

COUNTY OF MONTEZUMA   )

At a regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners, Montezuma County, Colorado, held on Tuesday July 14, 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

It Director, Jim McClain

Stephen Tarnowski, County Attorney

Kim Percell, County Clerk

CHAIRMAN CANDELARIA opened the meeting of July 14, 2026 with the Pledge of Allegiance.

MINUTES: Commissioner Koppenhafer moved to approve the Proceedings of the Special scheduled meeting for the Montezuma County Board of Commissioners, held on Monday July 6, 2026 and the regular meeting of the Board of County Commissioners Tuesday, July, 7 2026.  The motion was seconded by Commissioner Lindsay and carried.

PLANNING: Director, Don Haley along with Assistant, S. Jane Duncan presented for signatures of an Exemption Amendment and Mylar, submitted by Charles & Cynthia Thompson on properties located at 20889 & 20893 Road W, Lewis, CO, consisting of 3.00 & 5.52 acres, more or less, both located north of Hwy 145, situated in Section 36, Township 38N, Range 17W, N.M.P.M.  (See attached0

PLANNING: Director, Don Haley along with Assistant, S. Jane Duncan presented for signatures of a Mylar for Phase II of the Lake Meadows Subdivision, Phase I and Rezoning, submitted by Mark Cox; agent: Andy Cox, on property located at TBD Road 25, Dolores, CO, consisting of 59.27 acres, more or less, located south of Hwy 184 & Road 25, situated in Section 7, Township 37N, Range 15W, N.M.P.M. (See attached) 

Deletions / Changes to Agenda:

PUBLIC COMMENT: No public comment was presented. 

CONSENT AGENDA: 

Commissioner Lindsay moved to approve the consent agenda as presented.  Second by Commissioner Koppenhafer and carried. (See attached)

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

• Approval of Resolution #6-2026 a resolution appointing the members of the Montezuma County Board of County Commissioners as temporary acting County Administrators. (See attached)
• Approval of Resolution #7-2026 a resolution notifying the County Clerk of the Board’s intent to participate in the 2026 General election by placing questions on the ballot to be considered by the voters of Montezuma County to Eliminate Term Limits for Assessor, Clerk and Recorder, Surveyor, and Treasurer and also to increase the Montezuma County Lodging Tax from two percent (2%) to five percent (5%). (See attached)

Item (s) Needing Individual Consideration:

SPECIAL EVENT LIQUOR LICENSE: Deputy Clerk Jerri Frizzell presented for approval a Festival Permit application from the Mancos Brewing Company LLC., located at 484 E. Frontage Road Mancos, Co. 81328.  The event is scheduled for August 15, 2026 from 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.  Commissioner Koppenhafer moved to approve the Festival Permit application at 484 E. Frontage Road Mancos, Co. for August 15, 2026.  Second by Commissioner Lindsay and carried.  (See attached) 

DISCUSSION: During the Monday workshop a discussion was held related to a proposed Rubbish Ordinance.   Chairman Candelaria reported that the direction from the Board to staff,   was to add the information to the County website, formulate a 30-day public survey, followed up with evaluation and a decision.  

DISCUSSION: A discussion was held with Montezuma County Sheriff Steve Nowlin related the Sheriff’s Office budget as well as a local newspaper article about the Montezuma County Narcotics Investigation Team.   Commissioner  Lindsay moved to expend funds, to do a forensic audit of the Sheriff’s office and jail, not to exceed $50,000.00.  Second by Commissioner Koppenhafer and carried.  (See attached)

COUNTY ATTORNEY REPORT: County Attorney, Stephen Tarnowski,  Topics discussed within the Attorney’s report included, updates on the Ironwood Property case, the court ruling on the Leaf Properties / Dollar Store Case, along with comments from the Court related to the current Montezuma County Land Use Code, the notification to the Clerk related to participation in the November General election and the language for the proposed ballot measures.  

COUNTY ADINISTRATOR REPORT: No report.

COUNTY CLERK & RECORDER: Clerk & Recorder Kim Percell no report given.

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

Commissioner Koppenhafer reported on the attended Town of Mancos meeting, mentioned the scheduled (MVI) Montezuma Valley Irrigation and Southwest Water Conservation District meetings and discussed the Colorado River water rights.

Commissioner Lindsay mentioned the scheduled Cortez City Council meeting and discussed the Assessor’s report given during the Monday Workshop.  (See attached)

Commissioner Candelaria discussed rain received, and asked Finance Manager Robert Dobry to do a review of the approved capital expenditures made for the Sheriff’s Office.  Other topics discussed included the Monday Workshop, the Town of Dolores Board Meeting attended, day-to-day operations and the Road and Bridge Hwy 184 project.

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

CORRESPONDENCE: The following correspondence was read and noted:

ADJOURNED: 9:53 a.m.

___________________________                              ____________________________

Clerk        July 14, 2026                                              Chairman