Photo Courtesy of Ryan Duey
Topics discussed during the Clay County Commissioners’ weekly meeting on May 27th included: Longford Rodeo grounds, parking at the Event Center, Clay County Fair, tax collections, and more.
Bobby Shomper, Highway Administrator, presented quotes on the cost of road treatment that will be placed in front of the residences to help with dust control on the detour for the bridge north of Green. A motion was made to go with Home City Grain for the purchase of dust control treatment, passing unanimously. Last week, the Department bladed roads, worked in the shop, mowed roadsides, patched asphalt roads, installed pipes, and had a Safety Stand Down day with training held all day. Shomper also reported that the Longford Rodeo Club has been in contact with him and Sheriff Benninga about making changes to the pipes and driveways on the grounds where they park all of the vehicles to make it easier and safer when entering and exiting the events.
Jim Bogart, Emergency Manager, reported that he will be attending a training in Ottawa County this week. The Landfill will be delivering a dumpster for the ESA location to use while they are cleaning out the storage in the facility.
Alan Benninga, Sheriff, stated that they will need to replace their fingerprint scanner in the near future. The Board asked Sheriff Benninga to discuss this issue with the I.T. Department before making a purchase. The Board informed Benninga that Mr. Shomper had informed them of the changes that the Longford Rodeo Club will be making to make the entry and exit easier and safer for the Officers and for those attending the events.
Mike Argo, Fair Board President, met with the Board to give an update on the plans for the 2025 Clay County Fair and the proposed asphalt parking lot south of the Event Center. Argo presented the quote for an asphalt parking lot that was provided to them back in March by APAC-Kansas. They are sure that the prices have changed from the March quote that was given. The Board instructed him to contact Mr. Shomper to sit down and go over what the Board and Argo discussed. Argo also reported that there is a 4H group that will be painting the hog barn and working on the beef barn. Argo asked if the Board would be willing to be the Judges for the Clay County Fair Parade on July 21st. They all agreed to do the judging. Argo also stated that for the Friday night free concert, they have signed on with Fast Times, which plays 1980s music, and the Gospel Singers will be The 4 Gems. Commissioner Thurlow made the motion to donate $3,000 to the Clay County Fair Association to pay for the Friday night free concert, passing unanimously.
Christine Swaim, County Treasurer, met with the Board to give an update on the tax collections for tax year 2024. Swaim provided results as of the same date for the following:
- Tax Collection for the 2023 Tax Year – 96.75%
- Tax Collection for the 2024 Tax Year – 97.04%
Ms. Swaim stated that there has been a slight increase in taxes collected for the 2024 Tax Year. Swaim also informed the Board that she has received electronic notification that the Delinquent Tax Sale has been filed in District Court on Thursday. Currently, the tax sale includes 50 parcels.
Melissa Stellner, District Court Clerk, met with the Board to present the quotes for the purchase and installation of acoustic panels to be placed in the Courtroom to help with the sound. After reviewing the quotes, a motion was made to accept the quote from Solid Rock Audio Video for acoustic panels to be placed in the Courtroom, passing unanimously.
