Otero County Commissioners Approve Grants, Rail Priorities, and Infrastructure Projects in March 9 Meeting

Description: Otero County Commissioners approved grants, infrastructure projects, rail priorities, and contracts during their March 9, 2026 meeting in Colorado. Read the full meeting minutes...

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Otero County Board Approves Funding, Rail Support, and Redevelopment Projects at March 9 Meeting

March 9, 2026 

The Board of County Commissioners now meets pursuant to adjournment. 

Present: 

Rob Oquist 

Tim Knabenshue 

Kaysie Schmidt 

Rose Pugliese 

Lynda Scott 

Chairman Commissioner Administrator County Attorney Clerk 

Guests in attendance in person: Nancy Harrington, Bette McFarren, Adrian Hart, Darren Garcia, and David Goebel. 

Guests on Zoom: Anne Boswell and Rose Pugliese. 

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

Chr. Oquist called the regular meeting to order. 

Chr. Oquist called for approval of the consent agenda. The agenda includes approval of the minutes from February 23rd, 2026, and bills and payroll for February 16th, 2026, through February 28th, 2026. Co. Knabenshue motioned to approve the consent agenda. Chr. Oquist seconded. Motion carried. 

Admin. Schmidt presented a letter of support for Arkansas Basin Revegetation Legislation & Request for Support by ratification. The Board of County Commissioners for Otero County expressed strong support for the upcoming legislation being introduced by Rep. Winter regarding revegetation or dry-land farming requirements for formerly irrigated agricultural lands following a change of water use. Speaker Julie McCluskie's district includes portions of the upper basin and with her support it would signal to the entire Arkansas Valley--upper and lower that the State is committed to good water- management practices. Co. Knabenshue motioned to approve the letter of support. Chr. Oquist seconded. Motion carried. 

Admin. Schmidt presented a letter of support for the proposed Brownfield Technical Assistance Grant (TAG) program by ratification. This program helps communities identify, evaluate, and plan for redevelopment of underutilized properties where environmental conditions may be a barrier to growth. Co. Knabenshue motioned to approve the letter of support. Chr. Oquist seconded. Motion carried. 

Admin. Schmidt presented a letter to Rep. Hurd concerning the freight rail priority in the upcoming Surface Transportation Reauthorization. Colorado's 3rd District is one of the most rail-dependent regions. We would respectfully ask that you look at the following priorities: Sustain and Strengthen Rail Infrastructure Grant Programs, Oppose One-Size-Fits-All Operational Mandates and Encourage Innovation and Modernization in Rail Safety Technologies. Co. Knabenshue motioned to approve the letter of support. Chr. Oquist seconded. Motion carried. 

Admin. Schmidt presented a letter of support to the Economic Development Administration (EDA) Disaster Recovery Supplemental Grant Funds. Otero County has strong support toward a joint proposal submitted by Prowers County and Lamar Community College to establish a Public Safety Workforce Training Facility. This program would bolster regional emergency preparedness, expand the workforce training capacity, and improve long-term community and economic resilience. Co. Knabenshue motioned to approve the letter of support. Chr. Oquist seconded. Motion carried. 

Admin. Schmidt presented a letter of support to the Community Project Funding (CPF) for the full support of the Town of Cheraw's application for the Cheraw Wastewater Lift Station Replacement Project. Co. Knabenshue motioned to approve the letter of support. Chr. Oquist seconded. Motion carried. 

Admin. Schmidt presented Resolution 2026-08. A Resolution Correcting a Clerical Error in Resolution 2026-06 (Additional Sums of Money for 2025). Section 4 of Resolution 2026-06 addressed a supplemental appropriation for the Clerk Hire Fund and stated the amount to be increased to $157,548.00; the correct amount should be $156,387.00. Co. Knabenshue motioned to approve the resolution. Chr. Oquist seconded. Motion carried. 

Admin. Schmidt presented Resolution 2026-09. A Resolution of the Board of County Commissioners of Otero County, Colorado, Accepting the State of Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) Small Dollar Grant Award EIAF-A00358 for the Otero County Regional Water Planning Project. Otero County was awarded $25,000.00 which requires matching funds which the Lower Arkansas Valley Water Conservancy District (LAVWCD) has agreed to provide. Co. Knabenshue motioned to approve the resolution. Chr. Oquist seconded. Motion carried. 

Admin. Schmidt presented the Construction Agreement between Otero County Board of Commissioners and Mac Valley Construction LLC. This is for the Otero County Road & Bridge Facilities Post Fire Redevelopment in Fowler, CO. The cost of the project is $410,365.00. Co. Knabenshue motioned to approve the contract. Chr. Oquist seconded. Motion carried. 

Admin. Schmidt presented the Public Contract for Services with KP, LLC dba KP Elections Services and County of Otero, State of Colorado for Ballot Printing and Mailing for 2026 Elections. Co. Knabenshue motioned to approve the contract. Chr. Oquist seconded. Motion carried. 

Darren Garcia presented the bid for the 2026 Weed Spraying Program. The winning bid was for $24,050.50 and goes to Southeast Colorado Weed Management. Co. Knabenshue asked about the price. Mr. Garcia answered that the county sets aside $30,000.00 for spraying, last year's cost was around $26,000.00 and the cost of materials was lower this year. Co. Knabenshue motioned to approve the bid. Chr. Oquist seconded. Motion carried. 

Admin. Schmidt presented that the County is offering a leadership series with a grant from the Resiliency Workforce with Scott Copley. The County is encouraging all staff to enroll. 

Chr. Oquist and Co. Knabenshue attended several of the same meetings, notable ones are the Colorado Counties Incorporated (CCI) meetings on Wednesday's and Thursday's. The Conduit meeting, and the Southeast Colorado Regional Housing meeting in Lamar. Chr. Oquist also mentioned that he attended the girls' basketball regional games in Lamar. 

With no further business, the Board adjourned the meeting. 

Next meeting will be on Monday, March 23rd, 2026, at 1:30 pm. 

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