Prowers County Commissioners speak with County Coroner during morning work session of March 10, 2026

The Prowers County Commissioners held a discussion with County Coroner Tommy Dunagan at their morning work session concerning his 2025 budget.  They asked him to attend the meeting to discuss the $12, 245.50 his office was over budget for 2025.  His office’s budget had been increased from prior years per the Commissioners, but he said he doesn’t get enough money to run his department properly. There were several areas where he was over budget but the largest amount was $5,200 for deputy pay. The 2025 budget allowed $6,000 for this, yet his department spent $11,200 on same.  “Education, training and seminars” was the second highest overage to the budget in the amount of $3,691.49.  $5,000 had been allocated for those expenses, yet his department spent $8,691.49.  He was told that his office was the only Prowers County department that went over their budgets for the past year.  The meeting devolved into a standoff with Dunagan saying it was the commissioners’ fault for him going over due to their refusal to properly fund his office and the commissioners saying that he needed to stay within his budget like the other departments.  Eventually, the discussion was halted because no resolution could be found during the meeting.  Due to budget concerns, during the afternoon meeting, the commissioners voted unanimously to deny a recent request by Dunagan to attend out of state training at an expense of $2,071.

Santiago Lopez with the CRMC and Kendall Pearson with the OPC were at the morning work session as well.  They say both departments are running smoothly with good staffing levels.  Rosie Gomez, Cornerstone Resource Center Executive Director, told commissioners that she is looking for new grants to help fund her office.  She said that Cornerstone handed out $18,000 worth of diapers last year and that she travels to pick up 2-3 pallets of diapers every two months.  The office also delivers commodity boxes to homebound persons with 40 families currently being served by this.  A Caring for Colorado grant is funding the purchase of a van for the office in which to make those deliveries as well as for other transportation.  Another grant is helping to pay to help clients with things like catching up on child support, paying bills, etc.  Her office currently has a staff of 7 full-time employees and one part-time.  She added that donations have been essential and that they are very grateful for the wonderful donations they have received.  May 2 is the annual Kentucky Derby fundraiser held at the LaMar and sponsorships are being sought for this.  She also said that they are now partnering with Share the Spirit Foundation to supply shoes to those in need.

Anne Marie Crampton and Brenda Brown with the City of Lamar spoke to the commissioners about a planned drone show tentatively scheduled for May 16.  They were asking for permission to have the drone launch site at the fairgrounds.  The commissioners were on board with the idea as long as the fairground wasn’t already booked for that date. The program, hosted by the America 250/Colorado 150 Commission, will present the show.  There will be a specific viewing area, as it needs to be seen at a 45-degree angle.  More information will be forthcoming about this show soon.

During the afternoon meeting, the commissioners voted to approve an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) of IMPACS Grant, Child Support Services between Prowers, Kiowa and Baca counties as well as an IGA for a Promoting Safe and Stable Families Grant between Prowers, Kiowa and Baca counties.  A rental agreement between the Prowers County Commissioners and the Hotline County Connection Center for SFY 25-26 totaling $9,536.72 annually was approved.  Several Subdivision Exemption Applications were approved.  Ratified were email polls regarding payment of bills presented for County General Fund Payroll and Payroll AP in the amount of $881,141.62, less $1,244.30 in certification credits for a total certification in the amount of $879,897.32 as well as one regarding payment of bills presented for County General Fund APO in the amount of $91,531.62.

The meeting was then adjourned and the commissioners went into Executive Session for several items regarding personnel matters, potential litigation matters and for legal advice on specific questions.  The next meeting of the BOCC will be held Tuesday, March 24, 2026.

By: Barbara Crimond