Photo Courtesy of Ryan Duey
Topics discussed during the Clay County Commissioners’ weekly meeting on August 11th included: 2026 Budget, awards, painting, Health Fair, and more.
Randy Gassman, Pottberg, Gassman, & Hoffman, met with the board for the final 2026 Budget workshop. After reviewing income and expenses and making several changes, the final levy for the 2026 Clay County Budget was approved at 57.912. The Revenue Neutral Rate Hearing and the Clay County Budget Hearing will be held on September 8th, at 5:30 p.m. at the Clay County Courthouse.
Bobby Shomper, Highway Administrator, reported that the Department patched asphalt roads, bladed roads, removed trees, hauled rock, worked in the shop, and mowed roadsides. They finished the ditch project and replaced a pipe on Meadowlark Rd., between 15th Rd. and 16th Rd. The Department will be working at the Fairgrounds, prepping the parking lot area that has been flagged off for the new asphalt to be laid.
Alec Trembath, EMS Director, met with the Board. Angela Parsell, EMT, joined the meeting. Trembath introduced Ms. Parsell and stated that she had been awarded the BLS Provider of the Year Award at the KEMSA Conference last week. This is an honor for Parsell to receive this award and for Clay County EMS to have her as an employee. Parsell stated that she enjoys working for Clay County, where the EMS, Fire, and Law Enforcement all work well together. Trembath stated that they are taking bids on the painting of the storage container. He will bring the bids in at a later date to present to the Board. The EMS standby season will begin soon, with football games starting. USD 379 is are requesting that both the High School and the Middle School have dedicated standbys this year.
Jim Bogart, Emergency Manager, presented bids for painting all of the ESA Building. A motion was made to accept the bid from Double D Maintenance, passing unanimously. Bogart reported that the Department of Ag was out last week to host the Lower Republican mapping meeting at the ESA location. Clay County, City of Clay Center, City of Morganville, and Kansas Emergency Management each had individuals attend the meeting.
Dana Rickley, County Health Director, reported that the Department will be partnering with Little Learners to help teach Parenting Classes in September. She also stated that the Department will be hosting a Health Fair at the Clay County Event Center in October, with several Community Resources also present with booths. The date will be announced soon.
Alan Benninga, Sheriff, stated that the new patrol unit has arrived and is being equipped with lights and a radio system. Benninga is currently working on getting several radio bids to compare for his department.
Rhonda Carroll, Landfill Director, discussed the possibility of increasing some of the fees at the Landfill. The expense of getting rid of some of the items has increased, and it is costing more than the County is taking in. A motion was made to raise the C & D fee by $6.00, making it $45.00 per ton, and raise the Solid Waste Fee by $7.00, making it $55.00 per ton, passing unanimously. Carroll reported that last Friday, they had a fire in the Solid Waste pit that was started by rechargeable lithium batteries. Carroll would like to remind people that batteries should not be placed in the household trash. Carroll then presented quotes for the purchase of a Stihl Chainsaw from Prairieland Partners. A motion was made to purchase an 18-inch bar Chainsaw, passing unanimously.
