Prowers County Board of Commissioners morning work session June 24, 2025

The Prowers County Commissioners, at their morning work session on June 24, met with representatives of Holly Fire and Ambulance concerning several issues they are facing.  The departments struggle with financial limitations and struggles to get by with equipment that is either outdated or in severe disrepair.  Most trucks are at least 20 years old. Volunteers “are going by the wayside” and getting harder to find.   The Holly community, they said, are extremely supportive of the departments and help in any way they can, but they need additional funding to be able to continue to operate.  The Commissioners were told “we don’t know what the solution is but the problem is we’ll be in a pickle if something can’t be done”.  Several suggestions regarding the possibility of grants were discussed and the Commissioners agreed to attend the next board meeting in Holly to try and help them find some solutions.

Also speaking to Commissioners was Leslie Mastroianni, Executive Director of Southern Colorado Economic Development District (SCEDD).  She provided information about potential funds available from the US Economic Development Administration (EDA) from the FY2025 Disaster Supplemental Grant Program.  Prowers County is in an area that was part of a disaster declaration from flooding in 2023 which makes funds available at a higher compensation and lower match rate than normal.  She discussed with them what type of projects the funds could be used for.  County Administrator Don Wilson will provide her with a list of projects the county has on their “wish list” and they will continue talks about deciding whether and how to apply for funding via the grant.

Leroy Mauch and John Davis with the Lamar Lions Club spoke with the Commissioners about their ongoing flagpole project.  The project was originally planned for the Colorado Welcome Center but the City of Lamar suggested moving the location to Bicentennial Park because of space constraints at the Welcome Center.  The club decided to then approach the Commissioners about having the flagpole located near the courthouse.  Commissioner Roger Stagner told the men that “it’s an honor to have it at the courthouse” which Commissioners Ron Cook and Ty Harmon readily agreed with.  The plan is to have it located near the southwest corner of the property near the windmill.  The 20 by 30 foot flag should arrive soon and installation of the 8 by 8 by 8 foot concrete pad will begin soon.  The group plans to raise the first flag on the 80 foot pole to coincide with this year’s 911 Tribute program in September.  Commissioner Stagner asked if the flag could also be displayed during rodeo events at the fairgrounds for this year’s Sand and Sage Roundup Fair and was told yes, the Lions Club would proudly let them use the flag.

Pastor Galan Burnett spoke to the Commissioners about a request to have rental fees for the Home Ec building and Elmer’s Garden at the fairgrounds waived for the July 1-3 Child Evangelism Fellowship event. The Child Evangelism Fellowship is a Bible-centered, interdenominational worldwide organization founded in 1937.   Burnett said that every country except one in the world has representation and that 32 million children were evangelized by the organization last year.  The decision about waiving the rental feels were scheduled to be voted on during the afternoon meeting.

The next meeting for the Prowers County Commissioners is Tuesday, July 8.

By: Barbara Crimond