Corinne M. Lengel

The meeting agenda included a report from the Lincoln Community Hospital CEO, discussion regarding contracting with the Land Use Office, and a discussion on Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) for Road and Bridge shops. Key action items involved reviewing the January 2026 financial statements and departmental reports (Assessor, Clerk & Recorder, Sheriff, Treasurer). The Board also reviewed and acted upon the Annual Report COR900000 concerning Stormwater Discharges for the Lincoln County Landfill and approved a letter of support for the Kyle Railroad's BUILD Grant application. During the proceedings, discussions also covered a proposed Genoa bike event, updates on the Anthem discussion, a contract with Help Financial, potential Medicaid fee cuts, and the hiring of E3 Consulting for renewable energy permit reviews. Additionally, there was a significant focus on post-incident review following a wildland fire that crossed from Elbert County, emphasizing failures in communication and the need to replace AED units in county shops. The County Attorney provided updates on septage regulations, an inmate death investigation, and an inquiry regarding NextEra's request to impact fee reduction for an energy project, as well as wildfire resiliency codes.

The primary action item for the meeting was the review and act upon proposed Resolution #1174, a Resolution revising County On-Site Wastewater Treatment System Regulations. An agenda item included a discussion with Dan Merewether regarding the Genoa bike ride event. Other items involved reviewing employee timesheets for various county positions, reviewing January 2026 reports from the casualty and property pools, and receiving reports from the County Commissioner, County Attorney, and County Administrator. Follow-up discussions during the meeting included details concerning the Arikaree and County Road 43 bridge project right-of-way agreement, Early Childhood Council matters including potential funding impacts, potential bidding processes for hauling chip rock, and the formal adoption of the revised wastewater regulations, which incorporated less stringent state options. Additionally, the board reviewed and approved expense vouchers and discussed the potential purchase of fairground panels, requiring clarification on reimbursement procedures and asset tracking. Finally, the Master Road Use Agreement between the county and Limon Wind III Energy, LLC, was signed.

The agenda included a call to order, updates from the County Veterans Service Officer and Arriba Wind representatives. Business items covered the review of December 2025 financial statements for various county funds and reports from county offices (Assessor, Clerk & Recorder, Sheriff, Treasurer). The latter part of the meeting was dedicated to the annual reorganization for 2026, including the election of the Chairman and Vice-Chairman, designation of official notice posting locations, approval of appointments, setting the vacation and sick leave policy, setting the E911 surcharge, approving the investment policy, and appointing the County Administrator as the Budget Officer. Specific discussions during the proceedings involved combining culvert purchases to reduce shipping costs, updates on the Eastern Plains Renewable Energy Impact Study, planning for the jury assembly room restroom project RFP, and a discussion regarding the location and permitting process for a wind farm substation, including necessary landowner agreements and potential variances.

Key discussions included an update from RockSol Consulting Group regarding off-system bridge projects, specifically design progress for the Arikaree River bridge and potential immediate replacement needs for the Hell Creek bridge. The Treasurer presented the 2026 Investment Policy updates, focusing on banking service radius adjustments and fee consolidation. The Board heard a presentation on the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Impact Assistance Grant application. A public hearing was held and approved for a Special Events Permit for a Fermented Malt Beverage requested by Joe Will Post N. 6612 for an event in February 2026. The Division of Fire Prevention and Control discussed new wildfire resiliency codes and regulations resulting from the 2022 Marshall Fire. The Economic Development Corporation Director and representatives from Genessee & Wyoming discussed a BUILD Grant application for the Kyle Railroad infrastructure upgrade, for which the County agreed to provide letters of support without monetary commitment. The Department of Human Services monthly report highlighted changes in funding splits and caseloads. New business included signing the CDOT annual mileage change report and discussing a proposal to add longevity pay steps for county employees.

The meeting agenda included a discussion with the Lincoln County Economic Development Corporation Executive Director regarding the Enterprise Zone status renewal application and a letter of support for the renewal. Economic development updates covered a Downtown Limon event, the Brownfields Redevelopment Grant application, Rural Philanthropy Days, the 150/250 grant, and the Opportunity Zone Program 2.0. Other discussion points included commissioner reports covering resident complaints, childcare support, updates on the rail spur progress, and proposed improvements to County Highway 109. The board also reviewed employee timesheets for several county department heads, discussed 2026 board appointments and holidays, and approved the final December 2025 expenses. A motion was passed to approve a county credit card with a $5,000 limit for the newly appointed Emergency Manager.