Photo Courtesy of Ryan Duey
Topics discussed during the Clay County Commissioners’ weekly meeting on August 4th included: Clay County Park, 2026 Budget, radios, trainings, and more.
Commissioner Mayo reported that he had received a phone call from Lori Neumayer stating that her son Devin has his camper parked in the Clay County Park. When he got there, he noticed that there was damage to his camper. When he called Chuck Arnold, the Park Manager, to report it, Arnold stated that he would come the next day to look at it. When Devin arrived the next day, he found Arnold with a hammer and a crowbar bar hitting on his camper, trying to remove the dent without his permission. Neumayer said that this is not the way that this should have been handled. The Board stated that they would look into this matter.
Ryan West, County Maintenance, met with the Board to discuss the purchase of wood and supplies to do maintenance on the ESA Building. The Board granted permission to purchase what is needed for the repairs on the ESA Building.
Randy Gassman, Pottberg, Gassman & Hoffman, met with the Board to hold a workshop for the County 2026 budget. Several things were reviewed. Gassman will return next week, hopefully with the final budget for the Board to review.
Bobby Shomper, Highway Administrator, met with the Board. Mr. Shomper introduced Aaron Corcoran, Motorola Solutions Regional Sales Manager for Kansas and Nebraska. Jim Bogart, Emergency Manager, Alan Benninga, Sheriff, and Alec Trembath, EMS Director, joined the meeting. Corcoran provided two of the newest portable Motorola radios for those attending to see in person. He talked about the use of different channels, the State system, and the use of Motorola radios. Corcoran highly suggested that the County put all the Departments together to make one order to get the best price available. The Board asked for the price of the radios that he had brought with him, and he stated that he did not have prices today, but he would be glad to take the count information back with him and to work up a quote for the County. The Board stated that they would like to have a quote presented to them.
Bobby Shomper, Highway Department, met with the Board to give the weekly report. Last week the Department bladed roads, put the Detour signs up north of Green, mowed roadsides, re-rocked 22nd Rd. & Thunder Rd., and attended a KPERS meeting. Wade Simnitt joined the meeting to thank the Board for giving him the opportunity to attend Diesel Mechanic trade school.
Alec Trembath, EMS Director, stated he has developed a physical training program for the employees on duty. This will be for 30 minutes at the same time every day. Trembath also reported that they are still on schedule to get a new ambulance in April of 2027. The Department is working on getting a quote to paint the shipping container, they will be used as the EMS storage unit.
Alan Benninga, Sheriff, discussed different brands and styles of radios with the Board. The Board instructed him to get quotes for different brands from the places he has worked with before. Benninga reported that the new fingerprint scanner will be paid for ½ out of the Registered Offenders Fund and ½ out of the Concealed Carry Fund.
Natalie Muruato, Director of Grow Clay County, gave the monthly Grow Clay County Executive Directors Report to the Board with the list of activities, meetings, business visits, and upcoming training that Grow Clay County has been involved in for the last month. She also presented a list of the businesses that have received the Clay County Small Business Development Grant. Ms.
Neal Summerson, Wakefield Booster Club President, Daxton Summerson, Student, Leigha Moenning, Wakefield Booster Club Secretary, and Brooke Moenning, Student, met with the Board to ask if they would be willing to make a donation to the Wakefield Booster Club. Moenning reported on how the Booster Club has helped with items at the school for the kids. Summerson stated that the school will need to purchase a power amp for the speaker system on the football field, and they are mandated to have basketball shot clocks installed. A motion was made to sponsor the purchase of the shot clocks and electrical work, passing unanimously.
Rhonda Carroll, Landfill Director, met with the Board to get permission to purchase hoses and tanks for the removal of freon from items at the Landfill. Ken Shivers, Clay Center Street Superintendent, called and has 50 Tons of millings that he would sell to the Landfill for $6.00 per ton. The Board granted permission for all items. Carroll stated that they are having issues with individuals putting trash in the recycling trailer at the Fairgrounds. The Board talked about the placement of a camera if this continues.
Danny Mesalles, County Appraiser, met with the Board to present two Residential NRP applications. The first application is for Cordell and MacKenzie Cyr of Clyde for a basement, and a house to be moved in. The second application is for David Lee Kuntz III, of Wakefield, for the placement of a Wardcraft home at his location. The Board reviewed and approved both applications to be placed in the Clay County NRP Program. Mesalles provided a list of 2025 Building Permits that the Appraiser’s Office has issued so far this year. Of those permits, 9 of them are new dwellings.
