Otero County Commissioners Meeting 3/28/22

Description: A new pickup for the Sheriffs Department, continued increase in county sales tax revenues, Report from the county clerk, and more... (Click Play to Watch the Video)

Otero County Commissioners Meeting 3/28/22

During their regular public hearing the Otero County Commissioners approved their minutes from the previous meeting held on March 14, 2022. They also approved their bills and payrolls during their consent agenda, which was approved unanimously.

During the Otero County Department of Human Services Meeting Michael Aragon, the Fowler Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math teacher gave a presentation on the program's progress. The STEAM Program is funded through the Otero County Temporary Aide to Needy Families (TANF) Program.

A video of the presentation can be seen here:

During the regular Otero County Public Hearing, The Commissioners gave opportunity for discussion while they considered the consent agenda items, which included their previous minutes, and bills and payroll. 

Audience member Jolean Rose asked what the county purchased from Perkins Automotive. 

County Administrator Amy White-Tanabe explained that a new pickup was budgeted for the Otero County Sheriff's Office in 2021, however one was not available for purchase, so it was delayed until recently when one became available locally.

Otero County Commissioner Candidate Barry Shioshita asked about a check on the bills and payroll, White-Tanabe explained that it funded the county veteran's services office. 

Commissioner Rob Oquist moved to approve the consent agenda, Hostetler seconded, it passed unanimously.

County Administrator White-Tanabe gave a presentation on county sales tax. She said, "again we saw an increase...I'm going to compare 2021 and 2022 (January) the county collected a little over 183,000 in sales tax for January, that's 13,000 more than what we collected in January of 2021."

"We're still on the upward slope with sales tax," White-Tanabe said.

Rose added, "a lot of the increase in sales tax is from the increase in online shopping."

The commissioners agreed.

Otero County Clerk and Recorder Lynn Scott gave her report to the commissioners. She reminded everyone that the Otero County Clerk's Office will be closed on June 28, and on November 8, for anything but election business.

Scott said they have been preparing for this year's election for state certification, which happens on April 29, 2022.

Commissioner Oquist reported that he attended a security meeting that addressed cyber security, and motorcycle gangs in the Colorado Springs area. He spoke about how they could get assistance from the state for security at the Arkansas Valley Fair. He reported that it was very interesting and informative.

Commissioner Hostetler reported regarding the O.C.L.I. meeting concerning the building at the Otero County Landfill, and they are just doing general clean up at this stage, he said.

Further Hostetler reported that he had a walkthrough tour of the new hearing room in the courthouse, which is part of their on going construction project, he said it was complete and they approved it. "They did an excellent job, they really did beautiful work," Hostetler said.

He also spoke about attending the Lower Arkansas Valley Water Conservancy District meeting, he reported that Jack Goble gave a good report and that Senator Cleve Simpson was going to look into the fire suppression ponds.

Hostetler also said that he attended a T.P.R. meeting and a couple of discussions were held in regards to the intersection of US Hwy 50 and Hwy 71. "The highway department is working with the railroad, so who knows where that's going."

"They have a daily demolition derby right there," Hostetler said, "It's terrible, any way I hope they get that taken care of. Also they talked about putting in more passing lanes from Rocky Ford North on Hwy 71 to the (Crowley) county line."

Otero County Administrator Amy White-Tanabe reported that she continues to search for funding sources for the new Otero County Jail. They held some discussion regarding potential funding for the project.

She also reported that they had several successful meetings regarding emergency procedures and courthouse security.

The new hearing room is ready to go, it just needs furniture, which is presumed to be in shipment, White-Tanabe said.

With no further business, Hostetler adjourned the meeting.

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Meeting Agenda and Documents