By Ryan Duey

The Clay County Commission held its weekly meeting on April 1st. During the meeting, the Board approved the request for use of the West side of the Courthouse for National Day of Prayer on May 2nd, and the request of the Courthouse Square for Union State Bank’s Community BBQ on May 9th.

Austin Gillard, CEO of Clay County Medical Center, met with the board to address the phone system issues at the Medical Center. He stated that they should start seeing improvements in the system within the next 30 days. Gillard also said that the Medical Center will soon enter into negotiations with a Medicare Advantage.

The Board drafted a letter to Representative Bill Bloom about adding signage on Highway 15th in Southern Clay County due to the increased presence of horse drawn buggies on Highway 15.

Andrea Flegler, Clay Center FFA Advisor, Lauren Benfer, and Jordyn McCollum, CCCHS Students met with the Board to inform them that 4 CCCHS students will attend the FFA Washington Leadership Conference. The Board made the motion to donate $1,000 to help attend the Conference, passing unanimously.

Janel Michaud, CCARE President, Patricia Halstead, Board Member, and John Rieb, Shelter Manager, met with the Board to give their annual report. Michaud reported that due to a generous donation, they were able to make several improvements to the building.

Chuck Arnold, Clay County Park Manager, Gail Westgate, and Tammy Taylor, Park Board Members, met with the Board to review the income and expenses of the Park in Wakefield. The park is now open for campers to move in, and Westgate informed the Board that they have updated the Park Rules, Fees, and Camping Agreement. The Board approved the new updates as written.