Topics discussed during the Clay County Commissioners’ regular weekly meeting on January 7th included: payroll for 2025, Day of Mourning decision, weather, and more.
Whitney Baer, Noxious Weed Director, informed the Board that the Spray Truck is scheduled to have recalls repaired.
Sierra Urban, Deputy Clerk, presented the 2025 payroll changes for department heads to the Board and bills from this year and the previous year. All documents were reviewed and signed.
Commissioners made the decision to keep County offices open on January 9th, the National Day of Mourning for the late Jimmy Carter.
Alec Trembath, EMS Director, discussed weather-related calls. EMS had to use their ranger to help pull out some city and county employees. He reported one emergency call during the thick of the winter storm. He noted that a nurse volunteered to go by ambulance to assess the situation with the EMTs. Trembath also informed the Board that he was notified that they will be getting funds from the Kraft Grant. He also presented a quote for new radios for the department, the Board suggested getting a total count for all radios needed, and they will go from there.
Pam Kemp, Emergency Management Director, presented a Proclamation of a State and Local Disaster for Clay County. The Proclamation was reviewed and signed. Kemp informed the Board that there were three fatalities state-wide from storm-related crashes. She also stated there was an increase in frostbite and hypothermia in areas with large homeless populations. Kemp then went into detail on the sheltering process for the County and warming shelters, including security, medical staff, trained shelter workers, and more. She stated the contingency plan for this type of disaster is used as a last resort. The Lighthouse, Common Ground, and some local area churches have taken on roles as warming shelters if needed.
Bobby Shomper, Highway Administrator, gave an update on road conditions around the County. He said Sunday the crew attempted to plow and blade, but had to stop due to low visibility. By 5:00 p.m. on Monday 90 to 95% of County roads had been bladed. Their goal on Tuesday was to widen the road paths and clear roads that had cattle or didn’t get bladed on Monday. He then informed the Board that they would go back to normal business hours on Wednesday. He then updated the Board on more details concerning the excavator. After a discussion on the equipment, the Board permitted Shomper to proceed with the next step in possibly purchasing the new equipment. The Board suggested just keeping up on the servicing of the Skid Loader for the time being. The report finished with the Board permitting Shomper to get quotes for repairing the leaks on the roof of the County building.
