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PROCEEDINGS OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
MONTEZUMA COUNTY, COLORADO
September 23, 2025
STATE OF COLORADO )
) ss.
COUNTY OF MONTEZUMA )
At a regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners, Montezuma County, Colorado, held on Tuesday September 23, 2025 at the Montezuma County Administration building in Cortez, Colorado, there were present:
Jim Candelaria, Chairman
Kent Lindsay, Vice Chairman
Gerald Koppenhafer, Commissioner of Deeds
Travis Anderson, County Administrator
Stephen Tarnowski, County Attorney
Kim Percell, County Clerk
CHAIRMAN CANDELARIA opened the meeting of September 23, 2025 with the Pledge of Allegiance
MINUTES: Commissioner Koppenhafer moved to approve the Proceedings of the Board of County Commissioners of Montezuma County, held on Tuesday, September 16, 2025 as presented. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Lindsay and carried.
ABATEMENT: It being the time set aside for the Cori Cavalier Abatement hearing on property located at 32560 Road P, Mancos, CO. 81328. The proceedings were recorded for the record. Ms. Cavalier joined the hearing by Zoom. The Petitioner along with Assessor, Leslie Kennedy Bugg gave an overview of the process of valuation of said land. Assessor Bugg gave her recommendations. Commissioner Lindsay moved to deny the abatement. Second by Commissioner Koppenhafer and carried. (See attached)
ABATEMENT: It being the time set aside for the Anthony & Marie Roan Abatement hearing on property located at 101 S. 5th Street Dolores CO. 81323. The proceedings were recorded for the record. The petitioner was not present for the hearing. The Assessor, Leslie Kennedy Bugg gave an overview of the process of valuation of said land. Assessor Bugg gave her recommendations. Commissioner Lindsay moved to deny the abatement request from Anthony and Marie Roan, PO Box 1290 Dolores, on property located at 101 S. 5th Street Dolores. Second by Commissioner Koppenhafer and carried. (See attached)
PUBLIC COMMENT: Public comments were made by Susan Kemnetz and Allan Maez
CONSENT AGENDA:
Commissioner Koppenhafer moved to approve the consent agenda with the deletion of the decision related to the lifting of the Fire Ban, as presented. Second by Commissioner Lindsay and carried.
The Consent Agenda items acted upon by the Board were as follows:
COUNTY ATTORNEY REPORT: Attorney, Stephen Tarnowski discussed a review of the proposed draft amendments to the Land Use Code, a Notice of Claim received, the Ellis Lewis civil case, court appearances and child protection issues.
COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR REPORT: Administrator Anderson discussed a driveway access off County Road N, working with Road & Bridge / Planning related to a fiber cut, the Enterprise Fleet Management software, the Dispatch Accountability meeting, the Hwy 184 and County Road 25 project, the Collective Bargaining discussions, budget reviews and the Declaration of Designee for the CCI legislative committees. The Commissioners agreed to keep the current designations as Commissioner Candelaria as primary and Commissioner Lindsay as secondary.
PAYABLE EXPENDITURE REPORT: Administrator Anderson presented for approval, the August 2025 Accounts Payable Expenditure Reports in the amount of $3,705,657.16. Commissioner Lindsay moved to approve the August payables, in the amount of $3,705,657.16. Second by Commissioner Koppenhafer and carried. (See attached)
COUNTY CLERK & RECORDER: County Clerk, Kim Percell, no report.
COUNTY COMMISSIONER REPORT: Topics within the Commissioners’ reports included:
Commissioner Lindsay mentioned the scheduled Cortez City Council meeting, the attended Energy Summit and the scheduled Region 9 meeting.
Commissioner Koppenhafer reported that the Southwest Water Conservation District meeting will be held in Mancos October 9, 2025. (More information to come)
Commissioner Candelaria discussed the Energy Summit attended, the Monday Workshop, and working on budget items.
EXECUTIVE SESSION Pursuant to Attorney Tarnowski’s suggestion, Commissioner Lindsay moved to go into executive session for the purpose of determining positions relative to matters that may be subject to negotiations, developing strategy for negotiations, and/or instructing negotiations under C.R.S. Section 24-6-402(4)(e). Seconded by Commissioner Koppenhafer and carried. Included in the session will be Commissioners Candelaria, Lindsay and Koppenhafer, Administrator Anderson, Attorney Tarnowski and Clerk Percell. Topics for the executive session were legal advice for collective bargaining with the FOP. Commissioner Lindsay moved to come out of executive session, seconded by Commissioner Koppenhafer and carried. (See attached)
EXECUTIVE SESSION Pursuant to Attorney Tarnowski’s suggestion, Commissioner Lindsay moved to go into executive session for a conference with the attorney for the purpose of receiving legal advice on specific legal questions under C.R.S. Section 24-6-402(4)(b). Seconded by Commissioner Koppenhafer and carried. Included in the session will be Commissioners Candelaria, Lindsay and Koppenhafer, Administrator Anderson, Attorney Tarnowski and Clerk Percell. Topics for the executive session were legal advice related to outside counsel in the FOP negotiations. Commissioner Lindsay moved to come out of executive session, seconded by Commissioner Koppenhafer and carried. (See attached)
Item Needing Individual Consideration:
RESOLUTION: Attorney Tarnowski presented for approval Resolution #19-2025: a resolution lifting the ban on open fires and use of fireworks. Commissioner Lindsay moved to adopt resolution #19-2025, a resolution lifting the ban on open fires and use of fireworks, in Montezuma County. Second by Commissioner Koppenhafer and carried. (See attached)
MOTION TO ADJOURN: Commissioner Lindsay moved to adjourn, seconded by Commissioner Koppenhafer and carried.
CORRESPONDENCE: The following correspondence was read and noted:
ADJOURNED: 11:43 a.m.
___________________________ ____________________________
Clerk September 23, 2025 Chairman
