Photo Courtesy of Ryan Duey
Topics discussed during the Clay County Commissioners’ weekly meeting on August 18th included: Longford Fun Day, Piotique donation, new parking lot prep, State inspection, grant award, and more.
Kayla Wang, County Clerk, presented the Cereal Malt Beverage applications for Longford Rodeo Club for approval. They have applied for two Special Event Licenses for August 29th & 30th. One for the Rodeo grounds and one for the dance that will be held after the Rodeo. A motion was made to approve the Special Event Licenses, passing unanimously. Wang also presented a quote from Central Office Service & Supply for the purchase of two Deflecto Polycarbonate chair mats. A motion was made to approve the purchase of the chair mats, passing unanimously.
The Board received a request from Wava Kramer in reference to Longford Fun Days. Kramer requested a donation to use for prize money, treats, and supplies. A motion was made to donate $200 to the Longford Fun Days, passing unanimously.
The Board received a request for funding from Anne Clark for the Community Chamber Orchestra to present a concert on the afternoon of the 2025 Piotique Celebration. The concert will be provided to the residents and staff of Advena Living, County Living, and Presbyterian Manor. A motion was made to donate $200 to the Community Chamber Orchestra, passing unanimously.
Bobby Shomper, Highway Administrator, reported the department worked on blading roads, hauled rock, hauled dirt, patched roads, and worked on the prepping of the new asphalt parking lot at the Clay County Events Center. The Department also started the job on Meadowlark Road by pulling the edges off the road and hauling dirt. This is preparing for the Test Phase of Base 1, which they will be applying within the next few weeks.
Alec Trembath, EMS Director, reported that they continue to stay busy with emergency runs and out-of-town transfers. The EMT Class will start this week and will be held on Monday and Thursday nights, with 9 people enrolled. They still have 2 open spots to fill if someone is interested. He also reported that the State will be doing the EMS Inspection this week, which involves a new process for it to be completed. EMS will also be providing standby and an educational booth at the Wakefield Birthday Bash.
Jim Bogart, Emergency Manager, informed the Board that the new fence that surrounds the ESA location is up. Bogart told the Board that he has found a used 2023 Ford Explorer at Glavan Ford and would like to trade in the 2021 F-150 Pickup for the 2023 Ford Explorer with 31,108 miles and a tow package included. After much discussion, a motion was made to trade the 2021 Ford F-150 pickup in for the 2023 Ford Explorer, passing unanimously.
Commissioner Thurlow reported on the Clay County Park Board meeting that was held last week. Chuck Arnold, Clay County Park Manager, provided the income and expense report for the park. Arnold is still deciding how much asphalt they can afford to lay and which streets need the new asphalt the most.
Dana Rickley, County Health Director, asked the Board if they could get the Conference Room and some of the smaller rooms painted with a fresh coat of paint. The Board instructed her to talk with County Maintenance to discuss with them what needs to be painted, and they will do the painting. Rickley informed the Board that they have set the date for the County Health Fair for October 25, at the Clay County Event Center. She also stated that the Clay Counts Coalition has been awarded a grant for a Drug Free Community for $125,000 for the 3rd year.
Natalie Muruato, Director of Grow Clay County, and Heidi Ring, Little Haven, LLC., met with the Board to present a Clay County Small Business Grant Application in the amount of $3,260. Ring gave an explanation of what her business is and how she would use the grant. Little Haven will help children and parents navigate emotional development to help children with behavioral problems, Autism, ADHD, and anxiety. The organization will also provide parents with education and coping skills to deal with emotional development issues. A motion was made to approve the Small Business Grant Application for Little Haven, LLC., passing unanimously.
Alan Benninga, Sheriff, stated that he has filled a vacant full-time Corrections Officer position by transferring a part-time person into the full-time position. He will now be hiring for the part-time position.
Commissioner Thurlow made the motion to adopt Resolution 2025-07 concerning the renewal of the .50% retailer’s sales tax for the sole purpose of financing the costs of roadway construction and improvements. This is the sales tax that is currently being paid and has to be renewed every 5 years by being submitted to the qualified electors of Clay County. This question will be on the November 4th ballot. Motion passed unanimously.
The Board received a request from Marsha Davis asking for a donation for the Clay Center Cruise Night on September 26th. A motion was made to donate $300 for the Cruise Night, passing unanimously. Davis also asked permission to use the Courthouse Square for Cruise Night. Permission was granted by the Board.
Randy Milligan, Clay County Rural Water District #2, met with the Board to discuss ditch work that was done by the Highway Department. Gene Braun joined the meeting. Milligan stated that the Highway Department had called for a locate of a waterline, and the Rural Water District did not meet the 3-day time limit of getting the area flagged. He stated they did locate and flagged an area down the road where someone removed the flags and went ahead and removed a lot of dirt off of the waterline, which has caused damage, and the District will have to lay a new line in this area. Milligan is asking if the County is willing to pay for part of that expense. The Board stated that they would have a discussion with Mr. Shomper on this.
Kayla Wang, County Clerk, informed the Board that there was an error on the Notice of Proposed Property Tax Increase and Public Hearings form that was sent out to all landowners. The Revenue Neutral Rate Hearings for the Unified School Districts were omitted from the form. There will be a corrected mailing sent out with the date of the hearings listed.
