Prowers County Board of Commissioners meeting of January 27, 2026

The Prowers County Board of Commissioners had several action items on the agenda for their January 27, 2026 meeting. The Board voted to approve a Resolution to Transfer 2026 Revenue between the county’s Sales Tax Fund to the County General Fund in the amount of $1,500,000.  This is a transfer made annually and it was felt that this amount should be sufficient for the year.  Also approved was a Memorandum of Understanding to facilitate the Prowers County Hotline County Connection Center with answering and processing of Child Welfare and Adult Protection Services related hotline calls and performing tasks outlined in the MOU effective January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026 with the following counties: Rio Grande and Jackson.  This approval authorizes Director of Human Services, Lanie Meyers-Mireles to execute the MOUs.  This was a budgeted item.

Approved was a 2025 Single Audit Engagement Letter for the year ended December 31, 2025 with Blair and Associates P.C. for the Prowers County Board of Commissioners ands authorizing County Administrator Don Wilson to sign as Management and BOCC Chairman Roger Stagner to sign as Governance.  This is for the annual audit.  An email poll of January 7, 2026 was ratified, with approves the submission of the Temple Buell Foundation grant application submitted by the Welcome Home Child and Family Development Center. Approved were Audit Engagement Letters for the 2025 Department of Human Services Audit and authorized Chairman of the Board and Director of Human Services Lanie Meyers-Mireles to execute the letter.

The BOCC has had ongoing discussions with Baca County for Veterans Service Officer services.  Baca County is currently without a VSO and is looking for interim support while they work on future VSO plans.  They had requested that Prowers VSO Gary Harbert provide part-time services to Baca County. This agreement will be in effect for the period of January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026 with compensation of $3,000 payable to Prowers County in two equal payments. The contract can be terminated with 30-day notice if Baca County can find a permanent officer for their county.

Submission of the 2026 Colorado Firefighter Safety and Disease Prevention Grant in the amount of $20,000 was approved.  Rural Fire Chief Staffon Warn was authorized to submit the application electronically.  This is a 100% state-funded grant which provides equipment and/or training to firefighters to increase safety and prevent occupation-related diseases.  Past equipment has included self-contained breather apparatus, hazmat air monitoring equipment, grain rescue equipment and extrication equipment.  The County has applied for this grant each year that it has been available and has been successful each year.  The intent for this year’s grant money, if awarded, would be hand held thermal imaging cameras used for searching for trapped occupants in a fire, downed firefighters, etc.

A Fairgrounds Facility Rental Agreement and waiver of fees for the Sand and Sage Round-Up, scheduled for August 1-8, 2026 was approved.  An Intergovernmental Agreement between Prowers County and the City of Lamar was approved for coordination of the corporative planning area, also known as the one mile plan, for developments in the county within close proximity to the city.  A Proclamation recognizing January 25-31, 2026 as National Medicolegal Death Investigator Week was approved.  An email poll of January 19, 2026 was ratified which approves payment of bills present for County General Fund for AP in the amount of $276,924.35, that includes a certification adjustment of $1,869.26 for a Total Certification to the Treasurer of $276,924.35, DHS and Welcome Home AP in the amount of $4,900.72 and H3C AP in the amount of $369.13, all with a date of January 22, 2026, and authorizing the use of Commissioner’s signature stamps.

The meeting ended in Executive Session to conference with the County Attorney for legal advice on specific legal questions.  The BOCC meets next on Tuesday, February 9, 2026 at 1 pm.

By: Barbara Crimond