BOCC Minutes October 13th, 2026

PROCEEDINGS OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

MONTEZUMA COUNTY, COLORADO

October 13, 2026

STATE OF COLORADO           )

                                                     ) ss.

COUNTY OF MONTEZUMA   )

At a regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners, Montezuma County, Colorado, held on Tuesday October 13, 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

Interim Administrator, Travis Anderson

Stephen Tarnowski, County Attorney

Kim Percell, County Clerk

Deputy Clerk Jerri Frizzell

CHAIRMAN CANDELARIA opened the meeting of October 13, 2026 with the Pledge of Allegiance.

MINUTES: Commissioner Koppenhafer moved to approve the Proceedings of the Board of County Commissioners for Montezuma County, for October 6, 2026.  The motion was seconded by Commissioner Lindsay and carried.

Deletions / Changes to Agenda:

RESOLUTION: County Attorney Tarnowski requested that in the absence of Planning Director Haley, the discussion related to the proposed Land Use Planning Process Resolution be continued at the next meeting.  The item will be added to the agenda for next week.  

PUBLIC COMMENT: Public comments were made by Bryan Davis,  Eleanor Macfarlane, and Ken Degener.

Item(s) Needing Individual Consideration:

CONTRACT: Montezuma County Sheriff, Steve Nowlin met with the Commissioners to discuss the renewal of the Southern Health Partners contract.  Commissioner Lindsay moved to approve the contract with Southern Health Partners for medical treatment at the jail.  Second by Commissioner Koppenhafer and carried.  (See attached)

DISCUSSION: Road Superintendent Heath Higgins, along with Tyg Bradshaw, and Ty Koppenhafer met with the Commissioner to discuss an informational Road Study presentation.

ROAD & BRIDGE: Superintendent Higgins along with Tyg Bradshaw and Cole Uptain met with the Commissioners to present the proposed Priority Road & Bridge equipment needs list.  Commissioner Koppenhafer moved to approve the Road & Bridge department to proceed to get estimates and bids on  two tandem axle snowplow / end dump trucks, one tractor and mower attachment and one water truck and water tank.  Second by Commissioner Lindsay and carried.  Superintendent Higgins also presented the proposed Road & Bridge equipment list for public auction.  Commissioner Lindsay moved to approve the auction list as presented.  Second by Commissioner Koppenhafer and carried. (See attached)

2027 BUDGET: Finance Manager Robert Dobry presented the proposed 2027 Budget for review and discussion. The proposed budget will be available for public review, on the County website and a hard copy on the back table within the BOCC meeting room.  (See attached)

COUNTY ATTORNEY REPORT: County Attorney, Stephen Tarnowski, gave an update on the Ironwood Property case, reported he had been working with the Planning Department on a variety of issues which included the proposed short term rental ordinance and the proposed Planning Procedure Resolution. Both documents will be presented for review and discussion at a future meeting.

COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR REPORT: Interim Administrator Travis Anderson mentioned a discussion held with Performance Solutions and reported he had been busy with day-to-day work.  

COUNTY CLERK & RECORDER:  Deputy Clerk Frizzell discussed  the slow mail ballot deliveries, reminding constituents that county mail relays through Albuqurque prior to coming to Cortez and that there were no mail services for the Monday October 12^th Federal holiday.  Deputy Clerk Frizzell also mentioned that if constituents do not receive their mail ballot, a Vote Service Polling Center will be open at the County Annex starting Monday October 19^th for all their voting needs.   

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

Commissioner Koppenhafer discussed meetings scheduled this week for MVI and Southwest and reminded the public that roads will be busy with ranchers moving cows in the next couple weeks.

Commissioner Lindsay reported he had attended the meet and greet for the new administrator and that the Cortez City Council meeting is scheduled for tonight.

Commissioner Candelaria no report to give.

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

CORRESPONDENCE: The following correspondence was read and noted:

ADJOURNED: 10:16 a.m.

___________________________                              ____________________________

Clerk                   October 13, 2026                             Chairman