Photo Courtesy of Ryan Duey
Topics discussed during the Clay County Commissioners’ weekly meeting on June 16th included: BPW Car Show, signs, repairs, small business grant, and more.
Kayla Wang presented a request for funds from Travel & Tourism for the BPW Car Show. The car show raises funds for scholarships for high school seniors and students currently in college. In 2025, BPW gave $9,550 in scholarships for high school seniors and students in college. This will be the 15th year that BPW has sponsored the Car Show in the park on Piotique Saturday. A motion was made to donate $1,000 to the BPW Car Show, passing unanimously.
Bobby Shomper, Highway Administrator, reported that they moved equipment to a project at Osage Road, between 2nd Rd. and 3rd Rd., placed cold mix on a pipe settlement on 12th & Redwood Rd., and installed 2 driveway pipes. One of the Caterpillar Motor Graders went to Salina for repairs that are covered under the warranty. The signs that were ordered for the detour that has been assigned to the bridge project on Utah Rd. arrived last week. The signs will be put in place this week.
Alec Trembath, EMS Director, reported on the demonstration that Motorola had provided, with several types of radios being shown. They will be contacting other companies to look at different brands to consider. Trembath reported that they are on run number 458 for the 2025 year. The air conditioning unit in the bay area had stopped working, and they had to have a repairman replace the compressor.
Jim Bogart, Emergency Manager, presented quotes for new fencing around the back of the ESA location. After much discussion, a motion was made to accept the quote from Kansas Fencing, Inc. on the 9-gauge chain link fence, plus the purchase of a 22’ wide cantilever gate, passing unanimously. Bogart stated that on Wednesday, they will be cleaning the back sheds out and getting items ready to be placed on Purplewave to sell. They will be removing the combine and one of the buses to be sold for scrap iron.
Dana Rickley, County Health Director, reported that they will be attending a planning meeting with Little Learners in regards to the Health Assessment for the children.
Alan Benninga, Sheriff, stated that the handicap bathroom in the booking room has been completed except for the plumbing. The contract for law enforcement coverage for the City of Wakefield is still being negotiated by both parties.
Natalie Muruato, Director of Grow Clay County, presented a Small Business Grant Application for Bomber Bay Car Wash, which is owned by Todd Pickering. This is a needed service that is being brought back to benefit the community. Pickering provided information for the Board of Commissioners and answered several questions that they asked. A motion was made to approve the Small Business Grant to Bomber Bay Car Wash for $5,000, passing unanimously.
Terri Parry, Morganville Lions Club, met with the Board to request a donation of funds for the replacement of the street flags for the City of Morganville. They currently have 8 flags that are very worn and need to be replaced. A motion was made to donate $500 to the Morganville Lions Club to put towards the purchase of street flags, passing unanimously.
