Photo Courtesy of Ryan Duey
Topics discussed during the Clay County Commissioners’ weekly meeting on May 19th included: Donation, EMS Week, Mitigation Resolutions, Small Business Grant, and more.
The Board received a document asking for a donation for the Longford Rodeo Club. After reviewing the document, a motion was made to donate $1,500 to the Longford Rodeo Club, passing unanimously.
Bobby Shomper, Highway Administrator, introduced Dennis Odom and Lynda Odom of Team Lab, to the Board of Commissioners. Mr. Odom presented informational packets on their Base One Liquid Base Stabilizer, which helps maintain better roads. Shomper stated that he plans to try this as a trial on Meadowlark Rd. from 18th Rd. for two miles north to 21st Rd. Base One is used during the construction process and provides a better platform for the surface. This means that you will need less rock, less grading of the road, and it helps control the dust in the area. Several Counties in Kansas are trying this on their roads. The Board granted permission to try this on the two miles to see how it holds up on a heavily traveled road. Shomper also reported that he and Jeff Germann traveled to Saline County to view a culvert lining test. He presented a sample of the liner that was demonstrated and placed inside the culverts for extra support and longer life. Shomper will follow this project in Saline County for the outcome results.
Alec Trembath, EMS Director, reported that the Department is currently at run number 383 compared to 311 runs in 2024. This week is observed as EMS Week. There are a lot of activities happening this week. There will be an informational video posted on their Facebook page on EMS Week. Trembath reported that he had met with Dr. Kelley and that they would be making a few changes to the protocols. EMS will be training with CCMC employees on different pieces of equipment so that both parties are trained the same.
Dana Rickley, County Health Director, stated that they now have some of the garden boxes in place and will hopefully be placing plants in them soon.
Jim Bogart, Emergency Manager, stated that the 2025 Mitigation Resolutions are almost completed. The cleanup at the ESA Building continues, this includes several Departments that have items stored in the facility. It is time that they go through the and get rid of the items that are out dated or no longer any good.
Alan Benninga, Sheriff, reported that the bathroom project is moving along. The floor is complete, and they are waiting on the shower base and the eye washing station to be installed.
Danny Mesalles, Appraiser, gave an update on the 2025 values. He also presented three NRP applications to the Board for approval. The Board approved two applications for Rural Development Group LLC. for new residential homes to be built in Clay Center and an application for Brock & Jeana Taylor on a new residential home being built in Wakefield. Mesalles presented the 2025 Abstract of Appraised Values for Clay County to the Board for review. Several of the class codes were reviewed and compared to the 2024 value.
Rhonda Carroll, Landfill Director, asked permission to close this Saturday for the observation of Memorial Weekend and close on Saturday, July 5th, to observe the 4th of July Weekend. The Board granted permission for the two Saturday morning closings. Commissioner Mayo asked if there was any more information that they needed to know about the KDHE violations. Carroll stated that they will be having a hearing with KDHE, and she will let them know the time and date when she receives it.
Natalie Muruato, Director of Grow Clay County, met with the Board to present a Small Business Grant Application. Weston Hammond, Carter Long, Jericho Hammond, and Stacy Long were also present for the meeting. Muruato presented the Small Business Grant Application for HL Fabrications, which is owned by Weston Hammond and Carter Long. The services or products that they provide are Shelters Fabricated for the Ag Industry and Homeowners. Long and Hammond provided information for the Board of Commissioners and answered several questions that they were asked. A motion was made to approve the Small Business Grant to HL Fabrications in the amount of $5,000, passing unanimously.
