BOCC Minutes March 17, 2026

PROCEEDINGS OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

MONTEZUMA COUNTY, COLORADO

March 17, 2026

STATE OF COLORADO           )

                                                     ) ss.

COUNTY OF MONTEZUMA   )

At a regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners, Montezuma County, Colorado, held on Tuesday March 17, 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 17, 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, March 10, 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 Mylar for a Subdivision Amendment to Lots 17 and 18 of the Butler Subdivision, submitted by Scott & Gayle Mabery, on property located at 23950 Road 37, Dolores, CO, consisting of 0.63 acres, more or less and Darren & Candida Gemmill, on property located at 23962 Road 37, Dolores, CO, consisting of 2.09 acres, more or less, both located east of Hwy 145, situated in Section 14, Township 38N, Range 14W, N.M.P.M.

PUBLIC COMMENT: Public comments were made by Ty Koppenhafer and Allen Maez. 

Deletions/Changes to Agenda: The proposed purchase of Detention radios via State Bid process, was removed from the Consent Agenda.  Commissioner Lindsay moved to approve the consent agenda with the approval of purchase of Detention radios moved to a single item.  Second by Commissioner Koppenhafer and carried. 

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 2027 Congressionally Directed Spending grant application – Fairgrounds emergency operations center. (See attached)

Item (s) Needing Individual Consideration:

DISCUSSION: A discussion was held related to the proposed purchase of Detention radios via State Bid process.  Commissioner Koppenhafer noted that the need was for 17 radios.  Bids were received from Triple C Communications (Kenwood) in the amount of $31,095.60 and from Motorola Solutions in the amount of $56,310.60.  Commissioner Koppenhafer moved to approve the Kenwood’s at 17.  Second by Commissioner Lindsay and carried. (See attached)

LIQUOR LICENSE RENEWAL: Deputy Clerk, Jerri Frizzell presented a liquor license renewal application for Echo Basin Ranch LLC, located at 43747 Road M, Mancos, Co.  Commissioner Koppenhafer moved to approve the retail liquor license renewal application for Echo Basin LLC., at 43747 Road M, Mancos Co.  Second by Commissioner Lindsay and carried.   (See attached)

DISCUSSION: During the Monday Workshop Kate Sawyer from Performance Services met with the Commissioners and presented a facilities assessment proposal.  Commissioner Lindsay moved to approve the (MOU) Memo of Understanding with Performance Services for evaluations on our facilities.  Second by Commissioner Koppenhafer and carried (See attached)   

DISCUSSION: During the Monday Workshop Hard Surface Evaluation bids for the Road and Bridge, were received from Jones and Demille $45,000, Nexco – West $58,104, AG Wassenaar  $60,370, Quality Engineering Solutions $75,000, Stantec $83,970, Michael Baker International $95,000, Roadway Asset Services  $99,808, Niricson $170,000, Tiger Eye Engineering $1 (Wants to negotiate a contract/possibly long term), Applied Research Associates $1(Wants to negotiate a contract if chosen).   Commissioner Lindsay moved to approve and award the vendor to conduct our hard surface evaluations to Jones & Demille.  Second by Commissioner Koppenhafer and carried. (See attached)                                                   

DISCUSSION: The Montezuma County Agreement for Professional Services with Magellan Strategies in the amount of $16,500.00, was presented for approval.   Commissioner Koppenhafer moved to approve the contract between Montezuma County and Magellan Strategies for $16,500.00, for their professional services.  Second by Commissioner Lindsay and carried (See attached)

COUNTY ATTORNEY REPORT: County Attorney, Stephen Tarnowski mentioned scheduled hearings, the setting and status conference related to the Leaf Properties/Dollar Store case, the scheduled unemployment appeal hearing, working with County Departments on various issues, and child protection appeals.

COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR REPORT: Administrator Anderson discussed the RFP for the 911 Fire Dispatch system, vector control follow ups, a proposed amendment to the Summit Food Services, phone calls with the USDA, and a meeting with Enterprise related to fleet management aspects.

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

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

Commissioner Lindsay gave an overview of the attended Cortez City Council meeting, discussed wildfires in Nebraska and South Dakota, cautioning the public to fire dangers within the County and reminded constituents about the City of Cortez municipal election.

Commissioner Koppenhafer mentioned phone discussions related to the Colorado River negotiations, and probable decisions to be made by the Bureau of Reclamation.

Commissioner Candelaria reported that the scheduled Community Wildfire Informational meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 24, 2026 from 6:00-8:00 p.m., in the Commissioner meeting room.  Other topics discussed included a countywide cleanup day, the Monday Workshop, auction items to be listed on Purple Wave, and an overview of scheduled Road & Bridge projects. 

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

CORRESPONDENCE: The following correspondence was read and noted:

ADJOURNED: 9:26 a.m.

___________________________                              ____________________________

Clerk        March 17, 2026                       Chairman