Photo Courtesy of Ryan Duey
The board entered a 15-minute executive session at 8:08 a.m. under the non-elected personnel exception to discuss job responsibilities. Present were Commissioners Thurlow, Carlson, and Mayo, along with County Attorney Brenda Jordan, County Clerk Kayla Wang, and Deputy Clerk Sierra Urban. The meeting reconvened at 8:23 a.m., and no action was taken.
The board approved Abatement 2025A49 totaling $733.06.
Richard Avery, Wakefield trap shooting coach, spoke with the board by phone about the upcoming season. He said 17 students have shown interest, and 10 have signed up, with an average cost of $400 per student each year. The board approved a $500 donation to help support the program.
John Gier asked and received permission to use the south and west sides of the courthouse square for the 2026 Farmers Market, which will run Saturdays from April 25 through Oct. 24, from 8 to 11 a.m.
Bobby Shomper, Highway Administrator, provided the weekly report. Crews bladed roads, moved materials, worked on dirt projects, serviced dump trucks, removed trees, installed a culvert, and hauled rock to several locations. Shomper drafted letters supporting a speed limit study on the east side of Clay Center. Items listed on the Purplewave auction will close this week. The board approved purchasing an engraving tool to mark department tools and agreed that the highway budget should be compensated for one day of landfill assistance.
EMS Director Alec Trembath reported the department is on emergency run 169 for 2026 and that Medic 5 is receiving new brakes. He stated he will also attend a town hall in Clifton regarding Washington County’s plan to make EMS countywide.
Chris Visser with Wakefield Birthday Bash discussed early plans for a permanent stage and above-ground storm shelter for Wakefield events. The board expressed interest pending cost estimates.
Emergency Manager Jim Bogart reported that it is Severe Weather Preparedness Week, with information and training planned ahead of storm season. Blue Stem Electric will host a High Voltage Power Line Safety training on March 19. The board made the training mandatory for Highway Department employees. Bogart will also host the North Central Region Emergency Managers meeting in Clay Center next week. The board approved purchasing a replacement garage door opener for an ESA bay using County General funds.
County Health Director Dana Rickley presented the State of Kansas Department of Health and Environment grant application signature page, which was signed by the board chairman.
Sheriff Alan Benninga reported he has released specifications for a used prisoner transport vehicle. He also presented plumbing project quotes for the Law Enforcement Center from Central Mechanical, totaling $57,000 for copper or $43,000 for PEX. He will return with a concrete work bid for the project.
Megan Lewis, director of Riley County Corrections, and Brittney Phillips, Riley County budget and finance, met with the board to discuss continuing supervision and evidence-based programming for felony offenders in Riley and Clay counties. Lewis requested funding to support an Intensive Supervision Officer based in Clay County and 50% of the Juvenile Intake and Assessment program. The board approved contributing $37,791.85 to maintain direct supervision services in Clay County.
Branson Brown of D & R Plumbing asked the board to consider helping fund new track uniforms for Wakefield High School. The total cost for boys’ and girls’ uniforms is $4,500. After discussion, the board approved a $2,000 donation to assist with the purchase.
Whitney Baer, Noxious Weed Director, presented the 2026 Annual Noxious Weed Eradication Progress Report and 2026 Management Plan, which were approved and signed by the board. Commissioners also asked Baer to provide a weekly map showing areas sprayed throughout the county. The board approved an event request for a Noxious Weed employee to attend monthly meetings at various locations.
The board approved a new Verizon phone contract for the Clay County Landfill that will include two desk phones and two portable phones to replace the current system, which has not been functioning properly. Commissioners also approved up to $3,000 for Double L Manufacturing to design a rake to assist landfill staff with trash maintenance.
