Photo Courtesy of Ryan Duey
Topics discussed during the Clay County Commissioners’ weekly meeting on July 28th included: 2026 Budget, childcare licensing services, radios, county roads, and more.
Sierra Urban, Deputy Clerk, presented an email from Riley County in regard to a funding request for childcare licensing services. Urban also presented a management cost summary sheet for Clay County Park in Wakefield to the Board. The Board reviewed and signed the document. She then presented the Board with a Noxious Weed update from the last two weeks, noting that the alternator was bad and replacements had been acquired the following Monday. Spraying of different chemicals was mentioned.
The Board held a staff meeting to discuss budgets with each department and review different options on revenues and expenses. Commissioner Mayo began the meeting by informing the room that valuation has dropped from the previous years for both grassland and assessed values. Every expenditure and income for this year and next is going to affect budgets. Commissioner Mayo stated the Board is reluctant to increase taxes, but this year it may not be avoidable. The County needs to be prepared for tighter budgets in the future years. Commissioner Mayo then opened the floor for discussion on how to help us achieve a closer RNR and the budget for 2026. Sheriff Benninga stated that he budgeted for a vehicle and can do without. Commissioner Mayo explained the equipment reserve and County General funds in detail and how they could be used more effectively. Mrs. Swaim gave her input on the topic by projecting how much estimated interest would be earned for the year, as well as raising the driver’s license rate. She also stated that a small increase in notary fees could help aid in revenue, as well as possibly adding the opportunity to sell/administer passports. Commissioner Thurlow then asked each department to review its budget again and consider different cut options so that they can keep their employees and continue to take care of them.
Dana Rickley, County Health Director, explained the request from Riley County in more detail to the Board so that they were more informed. The Board decided to decline the request.
Bobby Shomper, Highway Administrator, met with the Board; Jim Bogart, Emergency Manager, was also present. Shomper informed the Board that there was an issue addressed on Parallel and Prairie Rd. due to the amount of rain received, with totals starting at 3-7.5 inches in areas. This excess rain caused a whole pipe to wash out. Some of Shomper’s employees and himself temporarily repaired the areas until a new, bigger pipe can be installed. 811 was notified to prepare for future installation. Shomper gave his ideas to the Board on how his department can help with the County budget. Shomper then proposed sending an employee to school to become a certified diesel mechanic, while finishing up a Class A CDL license. The employee will be responsible for tuition and required tools, along with signing a 5-year commitment contract to remain with the Clay County Highway Department upon completion of the certification program. A motion was made to send the employee to school, passing unanimously. Shomper also asked the Board to mark their calendars for August 4th to talk about radios with the Motorola Representative.
Jim Bogart, Emergency Manager, presented the Board with decals for the new County maintenance truck. The design would include the County logo and be installed by Katalyst Sign and Grafix. The Board approved the purchase of the decals for the County Maintenance truck.
Alan Benninga, Sheriff, met with the Board. Commissioner Mayo started by presenting a sealed bid from Glavan Ford. The bid was for a 2025 F-150 Police Responder super crew 4×4. A motion was made to accept the bid from Glavan and purchase the F-150, passing unanimously. Benninga reported that the EMS Director and himself have been researching radios and have recommended Harris radios as a brand, or ICOMs by another County and individual.
Scott Leitzel, Grow Clay County Board Member, & Natalie Muruato, Grow Clay County Director, met with the Board to check in about travel and tourism. Leitzel presented the Board with a Grow Clay County/Clay County Funding Agreement for Travel and Tourism for 2026. Leitzel informed the Board that the budget was attached, and most of the expenses went to the travel guide ads in magazines. The agreement was left for review. Leitzel also presented alternative wording to the County Economic Development Contract requirements to the Board. Several suggested alternative wordings were noted and left up for discussion. Commissioner Thurlow asked for time to read and review each alternative. Commissioner Mayo and Mr. Leitzel exchanged opinions over the verbiage concerning KORA and KOMA requests. During the discussion on this, Commissioner Mayo referenced a Finney County Economic Development case and tabled the discussion to seek counsel through the County Attorney before continuing.
Melissa Stellner, District Court Clerk, met with the Board to present a quote for a new amplifier from Solid Rock Audio. After reviewing the quote, a motion was made to purchase the amplifier, passing unanimously.
Gene Braun, concerned landowner, met with the Board to discuss road and land issues. Braun presented the Board with a letter of agreement from Angela K. Spencer and a Schwab & Eaton letter pertaining to the Right-of-Way the County had agreed to after the bridge replacement. After the completion of this project, the fencing became an issue. Braun also presented the Board with a second issue that has been going on for 2 years. The roads are not being bladed properly, and operators are creating sizable lips in driveways/entrances. Dustin Braun, a concerned citizen, then joined the meeting. Commissioner Mayo then contacted the Highway office by phone to contact Mr. Shomper. Commissioner Mayo informed Mr. Shomper about Mr. Braun’s first issue concerning fences and right-of-way. Shomper said he would contact Schwab and Eaton and handle the matter. Commissioner Mayo then continued the conversation by stating that Mr. Shomper was present at the landowner’s home on Thursday concerning a second issue. He expressed that this has been a work in progress for all County roads. Commissioner Carlson stated that he remembers Mr. Shomper had plans a year and a half ago to address this issue county-wide. Mr. Shomper and Mr. Braun exchanged opinions about how the roads should be maintained. Commissioner Thurlow encouraged Shomper to train and teach operators how to do those projects more effectively.
Susie Mall, Register of Deeds, met with the Board to discuss a licensed survey on a split property. The documentation received so far is unrecordable and from out of state. After discussion, the Board informed Mall that the certificate received must be reviewed by a Kansas-licensed surveyor.
