Commissioner abstains from CVR grant vote; county approves $40,254 in CDBG payments

The Rawlins County Board of Commissioners on Oct. 31 approved a conflict-of-interest waiver and authorized CDBG Payment #2 totaling $40,254.38 while hearing a property-classification dispute over a storm shelter on private property.

Deb Minkler, director of Rawlins County Economic Development, opened a conflict-of-interest hearing after disclosing that grant applicant Gerald Pochop is the father of Commissioner Lincoln Pochop. Commissioner Lincoln Pochop abstained from the hearing and the subsequent vote. Commissioner Mark Mosley moved to approve the CVR waiver request; Commissioner Alan A. Solko seconded and the motion carried with Pochop abstaining.

The board also approved Request for Payment of CDBG Funds #2 totaling $40,254.38, which Minkler broke down as $30,000 for KYVZ Radio and $6,713.38 for 7K Ranch plus an administrative installment of $3,541. The motion to approve the payment request was made by Commissioner Mosley, seconded by Commissioner Solko, and carried.

Minkler also raised a separate concern about a storm shelter on property her family has owned since 1907 being listed in the county records as a "tool shed." She asked how other storm shelters are listed and why the structure was coded as it was. Appraiser Baumfalk responded that structures are supposed to be picked up on the tax roll and said she had selected a low-cost code; Baumfalk asked Minkler to continue the conversation in the appraiser's office so staff could review records and clarify the year and coding.

The board took the actions during its regular meeting and did not indicate additional remedies at the time; Minkler said she would arrange for her husband to meet with the appraiser for a follow-up. The meeting record shows the next board meeting and the General Election canvass were moved to Nov. 14, 2024.