Otero County Commissioners Review 911 Consolidation, Public Safety Complaint, and Drought Impacts in April Meeting

Description: Otero County Board of Commissioners discuss a public complaint, 911 center consolidation, drought designation, and key funding approvals during the April 13, 2026 meeting. Read the full meeting minutes...

Otero County Commissioners Address Public Safety, 911 Consolidation, and Drought Concerns in April 13, 2026 Meeting

April 13, 2026

The Board of County Commissioners now meets pursuant to adjournment.

Rob Oquist Chairman

Tim Knabenshue Commissioner

Jim Baldwin Commissioner

Kaysie Schmidt Administrator

Lynda Scott Clerk

Guests in attendance in person: Nancy Harrington, Bette McFarren, Adrian Hart, Shawn Mobley, Todd Quick, Brian Lovato, Danny Chavez, June Ferraro, Gina Magana, and Mary Preston.

Guests on Zoom: 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 asked if there were any public comments. Mary Preston made a complaint to the Commissioners concerning the Sheriff's Office. On March 30, 2026, she went to the Sheriff's office to file a complaint about a robbery at her home. She had made a list of the most expensive items with serial numbers if applicable. The Deputy that helped her took her out of the waiting room and onto the sidewalk and then proceeded to take phone calls during her interview and acted like she was not interested in taking the report. Ms. Preston felt discriminated against and not protected. She would like the Commissioners to hold the Sheriff accountable for the policies that are in place. Chr. Oquist told her that they would look into the allegation.

Chr. Oquist asked if there were any presentations. Danny Chavez, Chief Quick, Sheriff Mobley, and Ms. Ferraro all spoke concerning the Otero County 911 Center Consolidation Feasibility Study (Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) Grant EIAF-A0036). The consolidation would be good for officer safety and better for the communities as they will be safer with better response times. Co. Knabenshue asked if we were sure we would be safer by doing the consolidation, the answer to that was yes. Chr. Oquist stated that the Board of Commissioners (BOCC) was waiting for the final consolidation report to bring this issue to a vote and Ms. Pugliese, the County Attorney, did ask for confirmation that the vote would take place at a later time. That was confirmed. The study will be recorded with the minutes.

Chr. Oquist called for approval of the consent agenda. The agenda includes approval of the minutes from March 23rd, 2026, and bills and payroll for March 16th, 2026, through March 31st, 2026. Co. Knabenshue motioned to approve the consent agenda. Co. Baldwin seconded. Motion carried.

Admin. Schmidt, presented for ratification, a letter in support of the La Junta Fire Department's Emergency Medical and Trauma Services Grant Application. The La Junta Fire Department is requesting funding to purchase two advanced cardiac monitors/defibrillators with 12-lead ECG capability. The Commissioners are happy to support that effort. Co. Baldwin motioned to approve ratification of the letter of support. Co. Knabenshue seconded. Motion carried.

Admin. Schmidt presented a letter of support for the D3 (Extreme Drought) Designation -Otero County, to Dr. Schumacher, Colorado State Climatologist, at the Colorado Climate Center. Otero County continues to experience prolonged and increasingly severe drought conditions resulting in significant impacts to agriculture, water resources livestock operations, municipal supplies, and the overall local economy. Co. Knabenshue mentioned that there have been several conversations with the farmers and ranchers in the area about the drought. Co. Knabenshue motioned to approve the letter of support. Co. Baldwin seconded. Motion carried.

Admin. Schmidt presented for ratification an update to the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) for Grant CT2026-2901. The CWCB IGA for Grant CT2026-2901 was previously executed, they are now including an updated Exhibit A and Attachment 1 to clarify the official record. Co. Baldwin motioned to approve the ratification of the IGA. Co. Knabenshue seconded. Motion carried.

Admin. Schmidt presented a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), including a Letter of Engagement-Regional Local Government Effort to Address Impacts of Certain Water Projects, between Otero County and the Lower Arkansas Valley

Water Conservancy District Regarding Match Support for the Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) Grant EIAF-A00358 - Otero County Regional Water Planning. Co. Knabenshue motioned to approve the MOU and the Letter of Engagement. Co. Baldwin seconded. Motion carried.

Admin. Schmidt presented a Construction Agreement for the Otero County Road & Bridge Facilities Post Fire Development. The agreement is entered into by the Board of County Commissioners and Mac Valley Construction, LLC. This agreement outlines the terms and conditions of the project. Co. Baldwin motioned to approve the agreement. Co. Knabenshue seconded. Motion carried.

Clerk Scott reported that she attended Spring Regionals with Ashley Lopez. There were classes on DRIVES, the motor vehicle system, and an Elections Preparedness for Infrastructure and Cybersecurity Training (EPIC) day where the counties participating were given ways to prepare for bomb threats, fire threats, and civic unrest.

Co. Knabenshue reported that he attended several meetings, the most interesting were the CSU Extension meeting where they gave updates on the 4-H program, the resolution meetings concerning the Fowler Building, the Narcan training that was given by the Health Department, and the Tarantula Fest safety meeting.

Chr. Oquist reported that he and Co. Knabenshue also attended Colorado Counties Incorporated (CCI) meetings concerning bills and issues at State. They attended a Division of Fire Prevention meeting that was interesting because the Forest Service talked about the different tools and ways, they combat fires. They also attended a work session with Adams and Crowley Counties to talk about the differences in the way things are done in Southeastern Colorado.

With no further business, the Board adjourned the meeting.

Next meeting will be on Monday, April 27th, 2026, at 1:30 pm.

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