Otero County Commissioners Approve Health, Workforce, Water and Security Measures at August 10 Meeting

Description: Otero County Commissioners approved health and workforce support letters, a $22,075 CSBG allocation, Arkansas Valley Conduit engineering work and security grant applications on August 10.

August 10th, 2026

The Board of County Commissioners now meets pursuant to adjournment.

Present:

Rob Quist — Chairman
Tim Knabenshue — Commissioner
Jim Baldwin — Commissioner
Kaysie Schmidt — Administrator
Holly Huerta-Hudak — Deputy Clerk

Guests in attendance in person: Joanna Finney, Belle McFarren, Adrian Hart, and Sharon Jones.
Guests in attendance on zoom: Rose Pugliese, La Junta Tribune Democrat, Sara Dunn, and Michael Miller.

Chr. Quist asked everyone to stand for Prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.

Chr. Quist called the regular meeting to order.

Chr. Quist called for Public Comment.

Chr. Quist called for approval of the consent agenda. The agenda includes approval of the minutes from July 13th, 2026, and bills and payroll for July 16th to July 31st, 2026. Co. Baldwin motioned to approve the consent agenda. Co. Knabenshue seconded. Motion carried.

Admin. Schmidt requested the Board ratifying letters of support on behalf of Otero County for the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) application, One Letter for San Luis Valley Regional Emergency Medical and Trauma Services Advisor Council (RETAC), and another for Southern Colorado/Southeastern Colorado RETACs. Co. Knabenshue motioned to approve. Co. Baldwin seconded. Motion carried.

Admin. Schmidt requested approval of a letter of support for the Otero College Workforce Developments Grant Application. Co. Baldwin motioned to approve. Co. Knabenshue seconded. Motion carried.

Admin. Schmidt requested the Board to consider acceptance of the Community Service Block Grant (CSBG) Option Letter #11, which would appropriate $22,075.00 to the Department of Human Services (DHS). Co. Knabenshue motioned to approve. Co. Baldwin seconded. Motion carried.

Admin. Schmidt requested approval of the Colorado Integrated Criminal Justice Information System (CICJIS) Participation Agreement for Colorado Trusted Interoperability Platform (CTIP). This agreement will be for the Sheriff's Office and there is zero cost to the County. Co. Baldwin motioned to approve. Co. Knabenshue seconded. Motion carried.

Admin. Schmidt requested consideration and approval of Amendment 2 to the Professional Service Agreement with Kennedy Jenks for the Arkansas Valley Conduit Spur and Delivery Lines Engineering design. (CWCB Grant CT2026-2901). Co. Knabenshue motioned to approve. Co. Baldwin seconded. Motion carried.

Admin. Schmidt requested ratification of submission of Southeast Council of Governments (SECOG) technical assistance grant application for Election Access Control Improvements. Co. Baldwin motioned to approve. Co. Knabenshue seconded. Motion carried.

Admin. Schmidt requested consideration of approval of the 2026/27 Emergency Court Security Cash fund grant application for judicial access control system replacement. Co. Knabenshue motioned to approve. Co. Baldwin seconded. Motion carried.

Deputy Clerk Huerta-Hudak requested approval of Liquor License renewal for Felisa's Mexican Restaurant. Co. Baldwin motioned to approve. Co. Knabenshue seconded. Motion carried.

Deputy Clerk Huerta-Hudak requested approval of Special Events Permit Application for the Goodwood Festival. Co. Knabenshue motioned to approve. Co. Baldwin seconded. Motion carried.

Sharon Jones provided the second quarter Public Trustee report and the semi-annual Treasurer's report. The Public Trustee side collected $6,416.80. The semi-annual Treasurer's report showed the County has $27,952,847.72.

Co. Knabenshue reported he did some follow up on the Leadership Training Program here at the County. He attended meetings for E911, Courthouse Security, Community Corrections, Regulation 31 update/briefing, Tarantula Fest, and a Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) meeting.

Chr. Quist mentioned that he attended several of the same meetings as Co. Knabenshue. Chr. Quist wanted to give warm thanks to Darren Garcia, his wife, and the Arkansas Valley Fair board for great dinner and their work on the Fair Board.

With no further business, the Board adjourned the meeting.

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