Photo Courtesy of Ryan Duey
Topics discussed during the Clay County Commissioners’ weekly meeting on July 7th included: Medical Center update, 2026 Budget, repairs, July 4th holiday, Clay Center 150th, and more.
Austin Gillard, CEO of CCMC, reported that the Wellness Center parking lot is completed and has increased the parking to 24 stalls. This is very important for the Physical Therapy Department to have places for their patients to park. The new entrance to the Emergency Room is now open. Only the outside entrance has been remodeled. Gillard stated that they will break ground in August on the expansion of the Riley Clinic, adding 1700 square feet.
Randy Gassman, Pottberg, Gassman & Hoffman, met with the Board to hold a workshop for the County 2026 budget. Several Department budget requests were reviewed. Revenues and expenses for the County were reviewed. Gassman will return next week with changes and a draft budget for the Board to continue to work on until the final budget is complete.
Bobby Shomper, Highway Administrator, stated that he had received an email from Bayer Construction with a concern about the bids that were opened last week on the asphalt for the parking lot at the Fairgrounds. Shomper stated that he would pass the email with his concerns to the Board of Commissioners. He also stated that both the chipper and the distributor are in the shop for needed repairs. Shomper said he will be getting quotes on renting a broom for 2 days, or seeing if an adjoining County would let them use one. The transmission has gone out in theirs. Shomper received a construction estimate from Kansas Dirt Inc. for prepping the 2 miles of Meadowlark Road for the laying of Base 1 stabilization. He stated that the estimate is more than if the County rents the equipment and learns to do the process themselves. The Board decided to rent the equipment, and the Highway Department will provide the labor for this project.
Jim Bogart, Emergency Management, and Ryan West, County Maintenance, met with the Board. West reported that the bench on the Southside of the Courthouse needs to be repaired or replaced, because it is not sturdy enough for the public to sit on. The Commissioners instructed West to make the needed repairs to the bench. West also reported that he has been in contact with an additional tower clock repairman out of Lincoln, Nebraska, to see if they would be interested in looking at the Courthouse clock. Bogart stated that since West is a new employee, he has assisted him with getting quotes on repairs for the Maintenance pickup. Several things need fixing, and it may cost more than the value of the truck. After much discussion, the Board instructed them to go to the dealerships and look trucks over and test drive them, then come back next Monday to give the report, and they will make a decision. Bogart stated that he is not satisfied with the Exterminator Service that he currently has at ESA. If the County bought the chemicals, he would spray the outside and inside of the building himself. The Board granted permission for the chemicals to be purchased by the County. An estimate was presented from Bankers Security for a swipe card security system for the ESA building. This will allow more security and knowledge of the use of the building. A motion was made to purchase the security system for the ESA building, passing unanimously.
Alan Benninga, Sheriff, stated that it was a quiet 4th of July Holiday, with no real issues with fireworks. Benninga gave his first report to the Wakefield City Council on the Law Enforcement coverage that the Deputies are providing.
Natalie Muruato, Director of Grow Clay County, informed the Board that the Independence Day Celebration was well attended. They had more entries in the baby and toddler contest, more booths, and more people attended the event this year. The Fireworks Display was well attended and enjoyed by a lot of people.
Jeff Gaiser, Museum Curator, and Ryan Wilson, The Dispatch, met with the Board to present a proposal for the purchase of a deck of cards souvenir for the City of Clay Center’s 150th Birthday. The deck of cards will have pictures of people in history for the City on the backs of the cards. Wilson asked the Board if they would make a donation or pay for the decks of cards out of the Travel & Tourism Fund. The Board discussed this purchase and viewed the revenue and expenses in the Travel & Tourism fund. Commissioner Thurlow stated that he would like to table this issue so that they have time to think about this request.
Kathy Oliver, District Court Administrator, met with the Board to present the proposed 2026 District Court Budget. Oliver stated that they are requesting the same amount of funding as they had for the 2025 budget. The Board will consider the proposed budget request when working on the County Budget.
Rhonda Carroll, Landfill Director, met with the Board to present the proposed 2026 Solid Waste budget. The budget was left with the Board for review. Carroll reported that the yellow recycling box truck has returned, but there is a light on the dashboard already. They will contact TSI to discuss this issue.
