Topics discussed during the Clay County Commissioners’ regular weekly meeting on December 16th included: County roads, longevity, road equipment, grant information, Rescue Team, bidding processes, and more.
Sierra Urban, Deputy Clerk, presented an email to Joel Mason, County Attorney, for guidance on KSA Law books. Mason replied with the departments and people in the County that have the books.
Debi Luthi, Retired Dispatcher, called to inform the Board of the Longevity back in 2002 that she was able to keep. She stated she was encouraged to call in and present her situation by Hank Stellner. After speaking with the Board, Commissioner Carlson thanked them for her time.
Bobby Shomper, Highway Administrator, presented a County roads map to the Board. Roads highlighted on the map were roads surveyed by Zoss and roads they expect to study next. Shomper also asked for permission to bid on a chip sealer and parker if his bids were the highest—the Board approved permission to bid.
Pam Kemp, Emergency Manager, met for her weekly report. Urban presented an email to her from KDEM pertaining to grant information. Kemp informed Urban to wait until she received a reply back before completing the paperwork for the grant. The grant is for smaller cities for improvements.
Dana Rickley, County Health Director, stated that Adam Knepper was steadily progressing on the groundwork for the Community Garden. She also stated that Home Visits have been keeping the Department very busy.
Alan Benninga, Sheriff, stated that the Company working on the leaks to the limestone on the law enforcement building was there and they stated possible waterproofing and sealing could be done to fix the leaks. Commissioner Thurlow also complemented Benninga on information he provided to the Wakefield Rescue Team about different Jaws of Life tools. Benninga also reported that finding cars to practice with the Jaw’s equipment has been tough and different options were discussed for future drills.
Melissa Stellner, District Court, met with the Board to ask for the purchase of an IPAD and a conference video camera. The Board made the motion to buy an IPAD and conference video camera for the courtroom.
Kyle Bauer, General Manager for KCLY/KFRM and the Clay County Regional, met with the Board to address concerns on the bidding process for advertisements. Mr. Bauer encouraged the Board that if advertising went to bids that we base bids off cost/1,000 or cost/100 delivered. Mr. Bauer presented a packet of different papers explaining the Dispatch’s paid circulation, and distribution, KPA records, mailing routes, postage pricing, and weekly delivery numbers. Mr. Bauer informed the Board that The Regional cannot be an official newspaper because it’s not a paid subscription. The interest to print came about by many individuals and when asked if younger than 30 categories would read a hard copy vs. digital most answered yes. The Regional took to print because they could afford to do so. Mr. Bauer stated that the entire coming of The Regional was to vamp up the news department. Both papers are printed at exactly the same facility. The Regional produces 4,300 papers every week. The Dispatch produces 661 paid circulation, and 72 free distributions totaling 733 papers. According to the Kansas Press Association as of October 2022 weekly circulation for the Dispatch was 1,219, and that circulation was not filed in 2023 or 2024 with the KPA. Mr. Bauer continued to present numbers for non-paid subscriptions again referencing that if bids were going to happen that a cost/1,000 should be considered. Mr. Bauer then explained that he would like to see the number of people paid subscriptions audited. Mr. Bauer spoke to the Board and expressed that in the last meeting, the way the Board talked of the Regional disparages buying advertising. The Regional is a better value, particularly on inserts. $284.00 for any size postcard to full-page advertising. Commissioner Mayo referenced the return on his use of inserts in the Dispatch and the result was more than satisfied. Mr. Bauer also brought to attention another subject from a business perspective that in general KCLY pays $12,000 in property taxes but the Dispatch has no technical place of business other than Ryan’s home. Ryan gets to pay residential property taxes while operating a business out of his home. Ryan’s not renting a building or contributing to commercial taxes which makes it even harder to compete. Commissioner Carlson then stated how far do you go; how far do you take the cottage laws of running a business and how do you dictate something of that nature. Mr. Bauer then replied that advertising is how they are paid. Money earned for the business is only paid by Advertising. If a customer isn’t satisfied and they don’t make money from the Ad they won’t use it again. The Regional isn’t like most papers with a conscious it doesn’t have guest writers or letters to editors and writers are paid per article. Mr. Bauer reported that the goal and moto for all is to build up, to build a business, to build a better community, and to raise both on a higher tide. Mr. Bauer then went on to say that Clay Center and Clay County looks better than 10 years ago. The process of reinventing businesses to try to increase sales without slashing costs and continually cutting budgets has built a better County with tax dollars.
Mike Argo, Fair Board President, met with the Board to give an update before their annual meeting held on Tuesday. Argo stated that Fair Board Members have stepped down and they are looking for replacements. Argo stated that three wedding receptions have been booked at the new Event Center for 2025 already and that interest in the building is continuing to grow.
Rhonda Carroll, Landfill Director, met with the Board to discuss a letter she received from the state. The totes are still an issue. Carroll discussed speaking with HHW and other options to handle the issue. A number of totes were not properly disposed of. Carroll wanted the public to know that there is paint for outside use available for free at the landfill.
