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Commissioners get down to business
Budget amendments were also approved before commissioners jumped into the business at hand. Budget amendments included an addition of funds to the Sheriff’s office budget in the form of reimbursement for deputy’s time assisting with Safe Place Visitation and an addition to the health department’s budget from a donation received from the Church of the Good Shepherd in the amount of $200 in support of the Tobacco Free Program. First on Thursday’s agenda was a request by Clay County Manager Paul Leek that the insurance services provided by the Association of County Commissioners be renewed for another year. Clay County is part of a pool of counties which use the Association of County Commissioners to provide general liability and workman compensation insurance for the county. Leek explained that the vast majority of counties use the Assoc. of County Commissions in order to pool resources and receive group coverage rates, which are much less than each county would have to pay for the insurance if they each did it on their own. The county pays into the pool based on the number of employees and the number of vehicles and amount of property. Leek also explained that the insurance covers all county employees and all the county’s property, including the new courthouse which was included last year. Leek said that the premium which the county pays goes up a little each year, as is the case with all insurance premiums, but added that due to the low number of workman compensation claims filed by the county the premium has stayed “pretty low.” “It is much more cost effective for the county to be a part of a pool than to go out and get the insurance on our own,” Leek told commissioners. The county currently pays $96,000 for workman compensation coverage and $126,000 for general liability insurance, Leek reported. Commissioners unanimously approved the resolution to go forward with the yearly renewal process. A letter written by the Travel and Tourism Board was approved by commissioners to be sent to all lodging businesses in Clay County. The letter outlines the current county ordinance governing lodging establishments which requires that all such businesses collect a 3% room occupancy tax from customers. The Travel and Tourism Board said that there is a low percentage of area businesses paying the occupancy tax and asked for the commissions help in seeing that the room occupancy tax ordinance is enforced. The Travel and Tourism Board asked for the commissions approval for the letter to be sent to lodging businesses, as well as their support through any legal action necessary for those businesses that do not abide by the ordinance. County Manager Leek said that any legal action against a business would have to be taken by the Commissioners, as the board does not have the authority. This is why the tourism board was officially asking for the commissions assistance with the problem of the businesses not collecting the tax as required by law. Commissioners voted to approve the letter to be sent to lodging businesses saying that hopefully it will act as a reminder to business owners that they must collect the tax. Commissioners also approved the appointment of Gary Reffitt as a representative to the Travel and Tourism Board from the Chamber of Commerce. Also Thursday, Commissioners voted to have an automatic gate installed at the Clay County Recreation Park and Campground. The new gate will cost $5,850 and will automatically open from the inside and will only open from the outside for emergency services which will each have a remote key. There are currently two entrance to the rec park with gates which are locked each night at 10 p.m. and opened at 6 a.m. each morning by the rec park overseer. Anyone needing to exit during the night hours must go to the overseer’s home to be let out. Commissioners said that for safety reasons the new automatic gates are needed at both entrances. Commissioners voted to have the first gate installed at the main entrance now and will have a second gate installed later. A proposal received from the engineering firm of Pease and Associates for furnishing of the new courthouse was taken under advisement by Commissioners Thursday. The proposal included making a list of the furniture necessary for the courthouse as well as procurement and installation of the furnishings. Leek told commissioners that he felt the estimate given by Pease was quiet pricey and that he felt they should shop around for someone else to provide the services. Commissioners agreed, saying they would take the proposal and prices from Pease as information, but would pursue other options for someone to provide these services at a lower price. In their last piece of business Thursday, Commissioners recognized out-going Commissioners Paul Jordan and Dwight Penland. Commissioner Jarrett said that he would like to make it part of the official record that the county recognized Penland and Jordan for their service to the citizens of Clay County. Penland served as Clay County Commissioner for the past eight years, while Jordan served a total of 12 years. Jarrett added that he would also like to express appreciation to former Sheriff TonyWoody, who retired after 22 years of service. “We do appreciate the years of service that you have given and we wish you all well,” Jarrett said. Former Commissioner Penland was in attendance Thursday and shared his appreciation to the citizens of Clay County who allowed him to serve them for the past 16 years, eight years on the Clay County School Board and eight years as Clay County Commissioner. “I appreciate the leadership of the men I have served with,” Penland commented. “And I appreciate your willingness to serve the county,” he told the commissioners, adding that the job of commissioner is often challengingand demanding.
Before going into closed session, newly elected commissioners asked when the last time the Clay County Parks and Recreation Advisory Board met. The advisory board was originally set-up by the commission with representatives from the community to help with planning for an indoor recreation facility. Commissioners said that they would like for the committee to have a meeting after the first of the year. Commissioner Jarrett added that it would be a good idea for the commissioners to attend that meeting if possible.
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