Prowers County Board of Commissioners morning work session of August 25, 2026

Anthony Letteer, Prowers Area Transit Operations Manager was present at the morning’s session to discuss needed dispatch software changes. The change is needed due to the current software no longer being Medicare/Medicaid compliant. Letteer said he has looked at three options and recommends the county contract with a company called TripMaster, saying that of the three, it includes an integrated camera system for the transit buses. Otherwise, he said, they would have to outsource the camera component. TripMaster will also train employees on its use, and install the software and cameras into the buses. All three Commissioners agreed that TripMaster sounded like the best option and authorized him to continue discussions with them. County Administrator Don Wilson said that the department has seen increased ridership and revenues under Letteer’s management, and that he didn’t feel that the costs would impact the county’s General Fund as a result of this. Letteer is also applying for several grants to help with the cost. The buses recently started weekend routes which have proved to be popular. Jacob Rogers, Curator for Big Timbers Museum gave his quarterly update the Commissioners, accompanied by several members of the Prowers County Historical Society. Rogers said the museum hosted events in July and August that were well attended. Trevor LaCost and Linda Hawkins, PCHS board members then spoke to the Commissioners about the board’s desire to enlarge the museum via new construction south of the present museum. “The bottom line is that we are out of room” said LaCost. He said he believes there is a great need for more space which could house a children’s museum, gift shop, and classroom space, envisioned in a two-floor design including an elevator for elderly or disabled guests. Both LaCost and Hawkins stressed that they weren’t there to ask for money for the project – only the approval of the Commissioners to allow them to proceed with planning. A fundraising committee has been formed and they said they intend to apply for multiple grants. LaCost felt it would be a 5-10 year project and said they had talked about possibly utilizing LCC engineering students to draw up a plan and perhaps having the LCC Building Trades students doing some of the construction. As it is in its early phases, the Commissioners asked for a “rough drawing” showing them what the board has in mind before hiring an architect or designer, with they agreed to provide. By: Barbara Crimond