[This transcript was generated automatically from audio using AI and hasn't been reviewed by a person -- it can contain mistakes, including plausible-sounding sentences that were never actually said. Treat it as a starting point, not a verbatim record.]

[0:00] We will begin this evening with our invocation from Randall Cramer.
[0:04] Just for everybody knows, when you come up to address the commission, please make sure the green light is on.
[0:10] Speak directly into the microphone and give us your name and then make your remarks to the commission.
[0:17] As Randall is making his way up to the microphone, I'd like us to take this opportunity to observe a moment of silence for
[0:26] I could Joe Barnett, the student athlete from William Jewel who passed away recently, so if
[0:31] you have a moment for that gentleman,
[0:46] thank you very much and let's keep his family and
[0:49] friends and our thoughts and prayers.
[0:51] Without if you could proceed and if you want to give us a little background on your denomination
[0:56] the church that you might be attached to, you know, certainly feel free to kind of give us
[0:59] a little bit of knowledge about you before you proceed with your invocation.
[1:04] Thank you.
[1:05] Again, I'm President Randall Cramer of the Church of Jesus Christ of
[1:09] today's Saints.
[1:09] I am in what is called the stake presidency, which is an organization that has multiple
[1:15] words, and we kind of help oversee those words, and I'm happy to be here.
[1:21] Thank you.
[1:22] Thank you.
[1:24] Hard to hear Heavenly Father.
[1:25] We're thankful for this day and thankful for our many blessings.
[1:29] We're thankful for the different things of which we're able to experience in this life,
[1:33] both the good and the bad.
[1:35] are thankful for the hope of which thou provides for us. Our hearts go out to those who may be
[1:40] hurt and struggling, especially for the family of this young man who recently passed away
[1:46] and for his friends and how this has affected the community. And pray that there may be great comfort
[1:53] both from those here and this earth and from those that we can't see to help those who may be struggling.
[2:01] We are thankful for our freedom's father, we're thankful for this wonderful country which
[2:06] We ask you to bless the leaders of this country, especially those in this body, that they may be inspired to continue to make wise choices, to continue to support freedom, and to be a blessing to those of who live in this community.
[2:20] And we pray that we may look for opportunities to serve those who are in need or in need, those who are needy, and those who are in need of help.
[2:30] I pray that we may provide opportunities to help them fill my love and we pray for this and the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
[2:37] Thank you.
[2:38] Please join me in the pledge.
[2:40] I pledge in
[2:43] the United States of America.
[2:46] And, sooner or
[2:54] later.
[2:55] Thank you.
[3:04] Commissioner Nolting.
[3:05] Commissioner Whithington.
[3:07] Commissioner Lawson.
[3:08] Here.
[3:09] Commissioner Wagner.
[3:11] Commissioner Johnson.
[3:13] Commissioner Carpenter.
[3:14] Here.
[3:19] With that, we will move to approval of the
[3:22] Commissioner Johnson moved to approve tonight's agenda. I would like to recommend a
[3:31] couple of changes and if you could roll those into your motion I'd appreciate that
[3:36] commissioner. The nominee for the workforce development could not be here with us this
[3:42] evening. They have said that they would be able to be here next week so I would like to take
[3:47] had item that is to say 2026-239 off of the agenda. And furthermore, I would like to have
[3:56] 2026-233, which is appointment of the member to the nominee to the library board. And I would
[4:04] like to move up to the top of our regular agenda because that person has kind of rearranged
[4:11] her work scheduled to be here. And so if we could do her the courtesy of having her at the
[4:15] the agenda. I think that might be a good courtesy. So if you could adjust, I'll see if anyone
[4:22] else has anything to add, but if you could adjust your motion to take in those items, I would
[4:27] appreciate it. So moved. Any further discussion? Seeing none? You're a recognized
[4:34] I saw it.
[4:35] Please call the roll.
[4:38] Commissioner Johnson.
[4:40] Commissioner Carbender.
[4:41] Commissioner Willington.
[4:43] Commissioner Lawson.
[4:45] Commissioner Wagner.
[4:48] Five in favor.
[4:50] Thank you.
[4:51] That brings us to Sarah Monio matters.
[4:53] We have one item under that heading.
[4:55] That would be 2026-237.
[4:57] Mr. Minister.
[4:58] Yes.
[4:59] It may have.
[5:01] Sarah Monio matters.
[5:03] Yes.
[5:03] Sarah Monio matters.
[5:04] All right.
[5:04] 2026237, Proclamation from America at 250 citizen challenge,
[5:09] coin presentation for Patricia Jamison.
[5:11] Commissioner Wagner will be the prisoner.
[5:13] Commissioner, you may proceed.
[5:15] Thank you.
[5:16] It's been a bit and some may have forgotten that the
[5:19] semi-consentennial happened this year,
[5:22] but we do have a reminder of that with this presentation this evening.
[5:27] Patricia Jamison has done what she needs to do,
[5:31] gathered all the points that is necessary to get
[5:33] her coin and a proclamation for us this evening, as a reminder, since it's been a bit, just a reminder that this is an opportunity for those who want to help celebrate America's founding to be able to do so through this citizen challenge,
[5:49] a requires participants to perform a variety of tasks that can include things like reading the Declaration of Independence, the US Constitution voting,
[5:59] which is coming up here in a couple of months, attending public meetings, meeting public officials, like those of us here, and performing community service.
[6:07] I am, especially, please, to see Ms. Jamison because I have, I have found ways to delay this in ways you cannot possibly fathom.
[6:17] First, when she joined us as part of our leadership program here in the county, I have the opportunity to meet her for the first time,
[6:24] And she said at that point, hey, I'm trying to get on there, but it's not letting me.
[6:30] I know we need to fix that, and so on, and so on, and so on, too tonight, telling
[6:34] her, I don't know if I've got a coin for you, but my friend, Commissioner Whithington,
[6:40] got you covered.
[6:42] So we're going to be able to do that this evening.
[6:45] But her interest in our community is strong, she has done a wonderful job, and really every
[6:54] that she has engaged with us in this county and so it makes total sense to me and I'm very happy to point out that
[7:02] Miss Jamison is our our design for the evening. I will also point out since it's almost literally a couple of months from now.
[7:11] We are still taking individuals and I promise you Miss Jamison will do it faster for them.
[7:16] But we are still taking those individuals who may be interested in being a part of this program
[7:23] For the next two months, they're just going to go on to claycounty250.org.
[7:27] But again, thank you Patricia for being a part of it.
[7:30] Part of this and I hope that those that are watching are taking your lead and will be here in a short
[7:36] period of time.
[7:37] But thank you very much.
[7:39] Commissioner, did you mention how they reach out and contact?
[7:42] Clay County 250.org.
[7:43] Just get on there.
[7:45] Everything will be there for them.
[7:47] The pay is dead, the prices you owe them.
[7:48] Pay is to advertise.
[7:49] Take seven times, so I'll repeat it five and a long time, I got it.
[7:54] If Ms. Jamison would like to come up and give us a little bit of the background about how
[8:00] she, what she had done to achieve this honor and just kind of give us her thoughts on the
[8:04] program that would be, that would be wonderful, yes, please, up to the microphone.
[8:21] Hello, you're good.
[8:25] Patricia Jamison, I'm a lifelong play county resident and it was, when I was in this sixth
[8:34] we celebrated the Marcus Bison Tunnel.
[8:37] So I'm kind of given away my age, but that was a really special time.
[8:43] It was everywhere.
[8:45] We celebrated big.
[8:47] It was emphasized a lot.
[8:48] It was really special and it helped me to,
[8:54] a first share of founding fathers and born things.
[8:56] So as we were approaching the 250th,
[8:59] I wanted it to not just slip by like a standard independent state to me.
[9:05] And I was looking for something to make it more special.
[9:09] And that's when I stumbled on the, well, actually,
[9:12] when you talked about involvement, I was signing up
[9:14] to be an election judge on the site.
[9:16] And that's where I saw the Clay County 250 challenge.
[9:20] So I had a little trouble getting in,
[9:22] but he helped me get it going.
[9:25] And I really enjoyed working on it.
[9:28] It's people still have plenty of time to do it.
[9:32] One of the things I'd always wondered
[9:33] about what it was like for an immigrant to take the citizenship test.
[9:38] And one of the tasks that you can choose to do is to study for that and take a practice test.
[9:44] So that was a good for me to do.
[9:47] It helped gain some more understanding of what they go through.
[9:51] I'm sure it was a lot easier for me being a native.
[9:55] And then the last thing I did, I saved for independent state self,
[9:59] was to read the declaration of independence.
[10:01] And all that, it achieved my goal of trying to help make the 250 stand out to me more.
[10:08] Awesome, awesome.
[10:10] Thank you very much.
[10:10] Does anybody have any questions or comments in any other commissioners?
[10:15] If not, then we will proceed with the presentation of the coin and the certificate.
[10:47] So you go first and then all go.
[11:41] Okay, that concludes our ceremonial matters, and next are public comments, so that any members
[11:45] of the public wishing to address the commission on any subjects of importance to them.
[11:51] See, none.
[11:53] That brings us to our consent agenda, Mr. Minister Stranger.
[11:59] Yes, twenty-twenty-six-two-thirty-five approval, invoice payments for Clay County for the
[12:03] period of August 22, August 28, the total of three-hundred-seventeen invoices, till
[12:10] on a $643,184 in 70 cents.
[12:14] The next one was approval of 2026240,
[12:18] approved invoice payments for timekeeping system,
[12:21] annual support and hosting of guard one RFID
[12:24] in-mate tracking system for my sheriff office.
[12:27] That's it for our consent agenda.
[12:30] Thank you, Commissioner Johnson.
[12:32] Move to proof that's consent agenda.
[12:34] Excuse me.
[12:35] Motion's been maybe the approval of the seat
[12:37] consent agenda discussion. Seeing none, you recognize the close. Please call the roll.
[12:43] Commissioner Johnson. Yes. Commissioner Carpenter. Yes. Commissioner Whittington. Yes.
[12:48] Commissioner Lawson. Yes. Commissioner Wagner. Motion passes five and zero. Thank you.
[12:56] That brings us to our amended regular agenda. First on that amended agenda is 2026-233.
[13:03] Administrator?
[13:04] 2026-233.
[13:05] Reappointment of a member to the mid-continent library board, Lori, the money in is a member that
[13:12] has been there before, and it's looking for application for reappointment.
[13:17] Very good.
[13:19] If you'd like to come on up and kind of give us some background on yourself, I would
[13:24] like to point out that she is someone who's been on the library board before, as was just
[13:29] alluded to.
[13:30] However, in spite of the fact that you've been on there before,
[13:33] I think you're one of the more junior members
[13:35] considering the number of people that are on their side.
[13:37] At least two of them that I'm aware of have longer ten years
[13:40] than you yourself.
[13:42] So you're, while experience is still somewhat,
[13:45] like I say, on the junior side.
[13:48] Right, I just completed my first term
[13:50] as on the library board.
[13:53] And I learned so much about Clay County
[13:56] and how we represent there are two members
[13:59] from Clay County that represent all of our constituents, all of our people that read and
[14:06] our children and I am also serving as the board chair for the Technology Committee and advocating
[14:16] for our libraries, not just the Johnson County libraries, to have more technology and them for
[14:26] the STEM program. So that's where I am. It's why I volunteered for the board to serve there.
[14:33] It's a volunteer position and as I serve just because my children that I have have really enjoyed them
[14:39] at public library and I just wanted to give back a little bit.
[14:43] Thank you. Is there anyone who would like to inquire or make comment on this nominee?
[14:52] Oh, I'm sorry. Oh, there you are. I'm sorry.
[14:53] Thank you.
[14:55] First of all, thanks for serving on the board and for your commitment of yours.
[15:00] I'm an effort into doing this. Happy to hear about the technological advocacy. I think that's
[15:08] the correct sort of orientation to have on it. Obviously, libraries have for a long time now been
[15:13] a great asset to our society, but things have kept changing, and it seems to me that trying
[15:21] to keep up with what's happening in technologies only going to be harder over time, and so I'm
[15:26] that is on your agenda, where do you, you know obviously libraries over the decades have changed a lot just with the way people use them, I'm curious your thoughts on how you see that going forward into the next decade.
[15:40] So there's been a lot, you know, because I'm very into technology people are like, oh, you're all about reading a virtual book, you know, I am not.
[15:47] I am absolutely for, I prefer a soft paperback over a hardback, but I definitely prefer
[15:54] an actual book to technology.
[15:57] But when I'm saying technology, one of the things that maybe people don't know about
[16:01] the Mid-Continent Public Library is we, you can check out a tablet, you can also check out
[16:08] a Wi-Fi device so that you can have Wi-Fi at home that you can use that you can check
[16:14] that out.
[16:14] And there's a lot of great opportunities that the library has from a technology perspective
[16:20] that people aren't always aware of.
[16:23] And so I love to go to hear the meetings, you know, when we go and we talk about the great things that the library offers.
[16:31] You know, we have free Wi-Fi for people that are in the library's parking lot train to fill out resumes
[16:37] or they need to print something, or fax something, the library does a lot of, and it's
[16:43] an extension that sometimes people can't afford to have in their house.
[16:48] Oh, very good. Thank you.
[16:50] Regent Johnson.
[16:53] Yes, I will say, and this is in a question for you, but maybe we're not aware of this,
[16:57] but we actually had 10 applicants supply for your position.
[17:01] So I just want to say thank you to those people who applied, the volunteer, to be on the
[17:07] board and even though you didn't make it on the board this time, I would encourage them to continue
[17:14] to apply for the various boards and commissions that we have online because there's plenty
[17:20] from which to choose. So I just want to get that out there and thank those nine other people that
[17:24] applies.
[17:27] In other way before I go to Commissioner withington, thank you for raising that point because it's
[17:32] very gratifying sometimes we don't have but maybe one person apply. I think it's worth noting
[17:38] that we have a larger number of people participating in that speaks volumes about citizen involvement.
[17:45] Thank you for your patience, Commissioner Wittington, you may proceed.
[17:48] Hey, thank you for doing this.
[17:51] Yeah, I agree, Jay.
[17:52] It's amazing when you actually advertise open board positions, how many people actually apply for.
[17:58] You know, we've seen a big uptick over the last year or two, but can you just explain like what your qualifications are.
[18:08] questions was, you know, why you're interested in what your qualification, and it just said I'm willing to continue to serve. Can you just, can you just tell us like what your background is and stuff like that?
[18:18] Sure. I grew up in Clay County and I have from from a library perspective, I have four children that I raised in Clay County and we go to the library very frequently for the public shows or for the different things and when I signed up for the board.
[18:36] What my heart was is to give back to the community just my time and helping to serve and to make a difference.
[18:45] There are a lot of requirements that go in. There's a lot of meetings.
[18:50] A lot of advocacy that we need to make sure that is representing like just from a technology perspective.
[19:00] One of the things that I've continued to advocate for is in the Chicago libraries.
[19:04] They have what we have a maker space and the maker space is has 3D printers and we don't have that in our library
[19:11] And I've been trying for the last few years to get that even volunteering and I think we've made a little bit of progress towards that and I do hope that we can continue to
[19:22] Push forward that we can have things that our children that children of Clay County have the same rights
[19:29] We have our gifted and talented program that is
[19:32] you know over on north of with the North Kansas School District which is wonderful and my children
[19:38] got to participate you know in that and do all of the different things with 3D printings or
[19:42] laser engraving but there are children that are outside of that program that don't have that same
[19:47] access and I would like to see that in the library because it would be a free service for them
[19:52] you can also pay and go down to Union Station to Science City to have some of that but we don't have
[19:57] that in our library and that's something that I'm very passionate about and the board knows that
[20:02] I'm very passionate about that, because I want to have a difference and make sure that we
[20:08] not only play county, but it would be all of the districts that would have access to the
[20:12] maker.
[20:13] And I should know this, but I don't.
[20:15] How long was your board?
[20:17] Board A or your term?
[20:17] Was it a four year?
[20:19] So what would you say your biggest accomplishment was being on that board for the last four
[20:23] years?
[20:23] Well, the first year on the board is a very high learning curve.
[20:29] When I came into the board, I thought it was going to be all rainbows and roses.
[20:32] I thought the library was just all for fun, the side that I've gotten to see as a patron of the library is very, very different from the people that run the library.
[20:43] And if you ever have an opportunity, go over to the end-dependence branch and watch how they've moved books.
[20:49] When you order a book and it's not on your shelf and you ask for it to be there, there are so many people that are involved in making that process behind the scenes to work.
[20:58] the administrative department and how they run the library and how they staff the people that
[21:03] are at each library. It is very fascinating to be a part of that. One of the things that I
[21:09] am proud of is the fact that I do make a difference in the technology area. I think that one of my
[21:17] commission was during COVID and our libraries had to shut down. Actually it was post-COVID but
[21:24] It was still had some of the ramifications from that.
[21:27] And that's how we have our hotspots that we have,
[21:30] that we can check out and trying to keep those
[21:33] and getting working with the leaders with grants
[21:38] and different things to make sure that technology is available.
[21:42] That's where my passion is from a technology side.
[21:45] So I do serve as a board of directors on the board of directors,
[21:49] but I also serve on the technology committee.
[21:51] So, have you guys been able to apply for any grants for the 3D printers?
[21:56] We have lots of opportunities just having to decide, is it a make or space, is it a in one library,
[22:04] is it swear it would be virtual or what it is?
[22:08] So, it's still undecided, but it's something that's on my heart.
[22:11] Okay, so how close do you think you are to get in that and get in those?
[22:15] I have a meeting next Monday that I hope in that day.
[22:17] I look forward to it.
[22:18] I look forward to your an update from you on that.
[22:21] Thank you.
[22:23] Something I'd like to point out, and this doesn't have to necessarily specifically with his nominee, but just for the adification of whoever's one.
[22:30] Watching, I believe the commission is aware of this, but this board is made up of 12 people
[22:36] for from each of the three counties as clay, plat, and Jackson. And so that is the makeup of it
[22:44] and each county obviously goes to the same process that we are currently going through of
[22:48] appointing members. So it is a board that is unique in that we are reaching out across and beyond
[22:56] our borders, you had made reference to the independence branch I believe, so the people who
[23:02] were serving on these boards while from Play County also are overseeing a lot of the activities
[23:09] in Platt and Jackson County's. Commissioner Carpenter, I'm sorry, I didn't.
[23:14] Thanks, not too, it's a quick question of you because you mentioned it. So I know we've got
[23:18] these staggered now, right? And so as the ongoing schedule from here on out basically around
[23:25] this time every late summer, it'll be a new person up because of four-year terms, four-year
[23:30] terms.
[23:31] And it's four people.
[23:32] So I assume that means one per year.
[23:34] Yeah, it could mean that it kind of depends on the will of the commission.
[23:38] We're not locked into the app, but that is one way to look at it.
[23:42] But for instance, with his nominee having been there for one term, the idea and other members
[23:49] having been there for a long term, the idea is to cultivate new people.
[23:53] And that's why it was important to re-appoint her in my opinion,
[23:56] was because she is just now gotten to where she is fully functional.
[24:03] Obviously, the first year is always a little bit of a hard learning curve.
[24:07] But we want to make sure that we always have people on any of our boards and commissions that have a lengthy bit of experience that they can bring to the table.
[24:18] So, we don't want, obviously, everybody knew.
[24:22] We will, and I won't get into it because it's a con, it's for a future meeting, but we
[24:28] do have, I think we've identified at least one board where the staggering needs to be adjusted.
[24:35] So, we will once, and talk with the pro-tim and with the administrator about that, and
[24:40] once staff is ready to give us some recommendations, that is something I would look forward
[24:45] having us look at in discussion so that we can then make sure that we are have completed
[24:51] the task of staggering the board seats on all the boards to a degree.
[24:56] Yes, just to clarify that's for a different board though, but yes, it is a different board.
[25:01] Also, we are talking about possibly moving to where we have an inordinate number, disproportionate
[25:07] number of boards and commissions that come up at end of year, or beginning of
[25:11] your depending on your point of view.
[25:12] and we're trying to spread that a little bit more so that the commission is not inundated
[25:18] with a larger number of boards than necessary, so we're trying to work on evening that
[25:23] out a little bit.
[25:24] No, I'm excited, absolutely.
[25:25] I just, you know, like I was mentioned, a lot of applicants on this one night.
[25:28] The person I heard from at least a couple of them who wanted to be on, and so it's just
[25:32] one where it's helpful for me to be able to tell them precisely when the next appointment
[25:39] that might be on.
[25:42] And, I'm Commissioner, I would say that on our website
[25:45] it has update on all the expiration.
[25:47] So the next, just like you said, the next four is 27, 28 and 29.
[25:51] So the next three are up each year.
[25:54] So that's the third.
[25:54] That's one person each year.
[25:56] So that is best place for people to get updated information
[25:58] that they want to find out places to serve.
[26:00] Please go there, give more information regarding that.
[26:04] And it also has a link as to who is currently on the board
[26:07] for each of those positions.
[26:10] Thanks.
[26:11] Thank you.
[26:11] Mr. Ministries.
[26:12] Yes, ma'am.
[26:13] And may I just say, attending the board, you know, it's a great form.
[26:18] It's not quite as fancy of a room as this, but we do have opportunities for anybody who
[26:22] wants to, like, see what it's like to be on the board to attend the board meetings and
[26:27] to have a, have a, say, in the community of how their libraries.
[26:32] We have a lot of people that come and speak to us during my turn.
[26:36] changed from our CEO to a different one, and we've had, you know, a lot of community that
[26:43] have come out and been vocal about that. We've learned a lot from the community and people
[26:48] that volunteer, people that donate, people that make a difference in the library every day.
[26:53] Whether it's in this position where you attend meetings regularly or if you just come
[26:57] and attend the board and have a say, it's very important. Wonderful. Thank you. Thank you very
[27:03] is there anything else that you'd like to impart before I go to before I ask for a.
[27:10] I just want to thank you for moving me up on the agenda. Thank you.
[27:15] Very good.
[27:18] Okay. Is there a motion on this particular item commissioner Johnson?
[27:27] Move to approve 2026233.
[27:29] Motion has been made for the approval of 20, 26, 33, is there any further discussion?
[27:34] Seeing none, you are recognized to close. Please call the roll.
[27:38] Commissioner Johnson. Yes. Commissioner Carpenter. Yes. Commissioner Weddington. Yes. Commissioner Lawson. Yes.
[27:44] Motion passes 40. Congratulations. Thank you for your service. We look forward to working with you in the future.
[27:52] Thank you.
[27:55] That brings us to our next item, which is 20, 26, 2, 36, Mr. Administrator. Yes,
[28:01] 22636 proven voice payments for Clay County prosecutors office for the period of August 22nd
[28:06] through August 28th had a total of 19 invoices totally $10,000, $38 and $88 and $88.
[28:23] She's preparing for something different.
[28:25] We can move forward with that one.
[28:27] I'm just preparing for something different.
[28:28] The next item we can move forward.
[28:30] Okay.
[28:30] I was wondering about that.
[28:32] I was wondering if you're preparing it.
[28:35] With that is a motion, Commissioner Johnson.
[28:38] move to approve of twenty twenty six two three eight right two three six I'm sorry
[28:48] yeah move to approve twenty twenty six two three six thank you motion has been made for the
[28:53] approval of twenty twenty twenty six no I just thinking that you need to speak any more
[28:59] on that okay so where I completed that repeat of the motion motion made for the
[29:06] of twenty twenty six two thirty six discussion.
[29:10] Seeing none, you're recognized to
[29:11] close. He's got the role. Commissioner Johnson. Yes. Commissioner Carpenter.
[29:17] Commissioner Whittington. Commissioner Lawson. Commissioner Wagner. Motion passes five
[29:23] zero. Thank you. My brings us to our final item on the evening's regular agenda. That
[29:29] would be twenty twenty six two thirty eight. Mr. Minister. Yes. Twenty twenty six
[29:33] The resolution request, the commission action of transfer within the funds, ultimately this is a tuition reimbursement program, I'll let our HR director Kim speak more to this, but this is something I share with you a little earlier this year regarding budget, it's a good thing, but you know requires us to provide more money for it. So I'll let our continues share in the more information regarding.
[29:57] Thank you.
[30:00] Good evening, Commissioners. Kim Callahan, HR Director. So I'm here to ask for the approval for the transfer of $15,000 to our tuition reimbursement program so we can provide some more funds for classes through the end of 2020-26.
[30:18] And I'm going to show you a little bit of what has happened with the funds over the years. This is the first year that we've ran out of money and it was the beginning of June.
[30:27] So this is the first time this has happened.
[30:30] So in previous years, in 24, these are the departments that used, we have a fund of $60,000.
[30:40] So in 24, 75% was used by the Sheriff's Department, 13% was Public Edman, and 12 is Juvenile
[30:49] department, and 25, 50% was a share of department, 19% was parks, 13% was juvenile, and then
[31:00] 6% each was the auditor, GIS, and HR department. Okay, and 20 to and 20, 24, we use $34,137.
[31:12] Okay? And 25, we use 59,245 dollars. So this year, already, we're at 58% used by the Sheriff's Department,
[31:26] 12% by parks and by juvenile and then 6% each from the auditor, GIS and HR. So at the beginning of June,
[31:38] And that's when we saw that we had encountered 60,000, it was 59,000 for the classes.
[31:46] So you might want to say, well, okay, what classes are we talking about here?
[31:51] So, before we go on, I believe we should make sure Johnson has an observation.
[31:55] Yeah, I'm just curious what happened with the parks department there.
[31:57] Why are they all excited to get educated?
[31:59] Well, you know, part of it is that it's online courses that people are able to use and they
[32:06] find, you know, a degree that they want to go for and everything has to be approved by the
[32:12] department head to show that it's going to help the county and so and then it gets sent
[32:18] to the county administrator to be signed off on before, you know, the funds are in comfort.
[32:24] So it has to be before their class.
[32:26] They have to be approved.
[32:27] Yeah, I just thought if you moved back to that slide, previous, when you look at the difference
[32:31] between, I think it's 24 to 25.
[32:34] Like all of a sudden, somebody woke up the parks department over there.
[32:37] It's not getting, which is a good thing.
[32:39] It is.
[32:41] Yeah.
[32:42] What's that?
[32:43] Oh, three people.
[32:44] Okay.
[32:44] So it's not big numbers then.
[32:46] Right.
[32:47] Okay.
[32:48] That makes sense.
[32:49] But to add to what you're saying though, part of it is, is getting information
[32:52] out.
[32:53] And one of the things we just had to do now is to be more advocates of also sharing
[32:58] information and what we have benefit wise, kind of just even speaking to what you talked
[33:02] about earlier with the committees, getting an information out.
[33:05] So one of the things we purpose, like with Kim, when they do the onboarding, talk to the
[33:09] new employees about the benefits we have, re-innerate, we'll be guiding that with tuition
[33:13] reimbursement, each department has re-innerate that to their employees as well, because to me
[33:17] it's a great benefit.
[33:18] I mean, for you to be able to have part of your tuition paid for, and what we have currently,
[33:23] I mean, anybody economics right now, we go almost close to 5,000
[33:28] I was regarding if you get certain amount of classes and most have been taken advantage of it and as we can see it continue to spread
[33:35] To almost double in the past two years it shows that the more you speak to what you want and the more you speak to what we got as as benefits
[33:42] I think the more out of an inch our employees will take it that
[33:45] So yeah, I think this is great. We had some conversation offline briefly a while back when I first saw this shortfall and
[33:53] I mean you had me at hello on this stuff. I'm I'm a big believer in this
[33:57] I think it's a good benefit that we offer our employees, and I don't think we should ever have to say we ran out of money, you can't do your education now.
[34:05] I think this is great for a number of reasons, so thank you.
[34:09] Wonderful.
[34:10] This is just an example of some of the courses in 25 and 26.
[34:16] You know, we have criminology, intro and decorate security, biology, emerging management, accounting principles, one.
[34:26] Ethics, criminal justice, justice, macroeconomics, principles of GIS.
[34:33] I mean, this is just some examples of some of the courses that have been taken over 25 and 26.
[34:40] And then, okay, what colleges and universities are we looking at?
[34:44] So in 25 and 26, we had American University Lincoln.
[34:49] And we have metropolitan community college.
[34:53] That's used a lot for accounting degrees, a Park University, University of Kansas, University
[34:59] of Missouri, Columbia, Kansas City, Park University, you know, being these online courses
[35:05] have just opened it up to all of our employees and so it's a wonderful thing.
[35:12] What we've been discussing with Damon is how we are going to beef up our policy, which
[35:19] I'll be bringing back to you before the end of the year.
[35:22] So there are some options that we are looking at, possibly right now our limit is 5250 per
[35:28] year, which is the IRS limit per college coursework, is $2,500 for certificate programs.
[35:34] We're looking at possibly a live time benefit, say, 52, 50 times 5, that's about $26,000,
[35:43] which there would be no time limit, but look at, so that was credit out, that's basically
[35:49] going to cover a degree for a person.
[35:52] But there's some different things that we're looking at, different options to enhance our reimbursement
[35:57] program.
[35:58] But we're excited that people are using it, and you know, we hate to ask for more money, but this is for a good cost,
[36:08] and if you have any questions.
[36:13] Commissioner Johnson moved approved 1.6238.
[36:17] Motion has been made approval of 2026-238.
[36:21] Is there any further discussion?
[36:24] Seeing none, you were recognized for the class.
[36:26] He's called the role.
[36:28] Commissioner Johnson?
[36:29] Yes.
[36:29] Commissioner Carpenter?
[36:30] Commissioner Whittington? Yes. Commissioner Lawson? Yes. Commissioner Wagner? Motion passes five and zero. Thank you.
[36:39] Thank you very much for your presentation and that concludes the evening's regular agenda as it
[36:44] amended. That brings us to County Administrator comments, Mr. Administrator?
[36:50] Yes. Mr. Minor that next week is our meeting. Also our office will be closed this Monday, September 7th,
[37:01] Early Barftay, Commissioner Wittleton,
[37:05] Be Barftay, that'd be it.
[37:07] We're pretty good.
[37:10] With that, we will go to County Commissioner Commons,
[37:15] Commissioner Carpenter.
[37:16] We'll start with you.
[37:18] Commissioner Johnson, proceed.
[37:20] It's a real very flat.
[37:21] I tend to do a logical district meeting today.
[37:23] Nothing major to report,
[37:26] but attendance is a little down this summer,
[37:29] mostly because
[37:30] I think because of the heat, particularly this last month, but reminder that it's a beautiful facility, it's a beautiful zoo, but also I think October.
[37:41] I think our residents are going to declare county residents are going to be seeing getting another postcard in the mail for free admission.
[37:49] I think it's going to be for October November, so be on look out for that and I encourage you to take a trip to the zoo. It's pretty amazing.
[37:57] Thank you, Commissioner Wilmington, proceed.
[38:03] Yes, so after last week's commission meeting,
[38:06] had a lot of people hit me up about the Jesse James Bank.
[38:11] I think we need to expand that discussion.
[38:14] I talked to Mark Mathis, the owner of the property
[38:17] I gave his information to Damon.
[38:20] He indicated that he's willing to work with the county.
[38:22] He's not tied in to, you know,
[38:25] 100% said on rate increase and stuff like that.
[38:30] He indicated that he would be interested in the multi-year lease too.
[38:36] So I think we need to continue to have a discussion with him.
[38:39] But also there's a group of citizens who really love that bank in the James Farm.
[38:47] And they said that they have some big-time donors who would like to look at a lot of different options.
[38:55] So I think we should look at setting up a working group with them.
[38:59] And they're going to pony up some money.
[39:01] They've, they're all really disappointed in the county's marketing.
[39:04] They say that the county doesn't do anything to market that farm.
[39:08] So they have also reached out to some professional marketing consultants who, they're willing
[39:14] to pay for it.
[39:15] I think we should look at, you know, I think we should at least listen to them.
[39:19] So I think we need to expand this discussion, especially if they have some donors that
[39:24] right up, crack open some checkbooks.
[39:29] Commissioner Lawson, a good hit your mind.
[39:33] Kind of skipped over me.
[39:36] There we go.
[39:38] No, I agree with you, a thousand percent.
[39:41] I've had so many calls and taken so much heat over this.
[39:47] And I'm not because of that reason.
[39:50] But I think you sit down and think about it a little bit.
[39:53] That was the first daylight bank robbery, you know, not that we should celebrate that, but it's a part of our history.
[40:02] And I think we need to do more to promote the history of Clay County.
[40:09] We're so rich in history here.
[40:11] We've got so much to offer.
[40:14] So I sincerely hope that we will look at talking with these people, opening the door,
[40:21] to Mr. Mathes, and doing a lot more discussion before we've come to any conclusion.
[40:29] We shall anger.
[40:31] Yes.
[40:34] There you go.
[40:36] I want to say I appreciate that the moment of silence earlier in this meeting as a graduate
[40:44] of William Jewel in the year or both of them.
[40:46] I will at least say that anyone who's going through that college and its history is very sad at the news of the passing of Michael Job Barnett.
[41:02] What I do want to point out with that though is that as we go into Labor Day and that weekend which traditionally people look at it as the first weekend of fall the reality is
[41:15] It is like the end of July, and we should treat it as such.
[41:19] And whether or not we are at a barbecue,
[41:24] we're playing scrimmage games of any kind,
[41:27] please remember, it's hot, it's real hot.
[41:31] And it's gonna stay that way,
[41:32] it looks like at least until the middle of next week
[41:35] if not beyond.
[41:37] So, be safe out there, enjoy your holiday,
[41:40] and again, to the family of Mr. Barnett.
[41:43] I'm sorry for his passing, and he's in my prayers.
[41:47] Thank you.
[41:49] Like many of the other commissioners here, I also spoke with some people who had concerns
[41:53] about the James Bank, in fact, I was talking to a gentleman this morning.
[41:58] He's retired banker, so he has sympathy with the subject matter, and I said, well, that's
[42:04] that's pretty interesting.
[42:05] Were you working the day that the bank was robbed?
[42:09] He beat me with his cane, I don't know.
[42:11] Anyway, but it is a subject, I think that I think we do need to review.
[42:17] I think one of the observations that I would make is that it's not an insecure amount
[42:24] of money,
[42:27] but it is something we need to take seriously as far as how we are the stewards
[42:32] of the people's money, but I would also observe that in many ways the historical significance
[42:40] adds beyond the dollar value that is attached to it and as we go through and liberate on this
[42:46] issue I'm confident that all commissioners will be thinking in those terms of yes it is
[42:51] dollars and cents issue but it is also our heritage and it is our history in this county
[42:56] and that's something that we I think all hold a very dear to our hearts.
[43:04] Yes, I agree with Commissioner Wagner that the passing of the student athlete at William
[43:11] Jewel is tragic and it underscores how dangerous this heat can really be.
[43:16] It's easy to be out there and to think that you're somewhat invincible, particularly when
[43:22] you are a young person.
[43:23] I was glad to see that many schools are changing up their sports, their sports practice
[43:32] schedules to allow for more breaks to do it in the morning when it's cooler and different
[43:38] ways of trying to mitigate this problem and certainly all of our schools are certainly
[43:45] bastions of excellence and would expect nothing less than the care that they show, the
[43:53] students whom they are entrusted. As we go into Labor Day, we are all going to be as, again,
[44:00] Commissioner Wagner pointed out, we're all going to be engaging into some degree or
[44:04] another and outside activities. Mine is probably going to have a lot of couch time. It
[44:09] very possibly might, but we should be careful and cognizant of that. And like all holidays,
[44:16] it is not just a time for us to be cooking out and to spend time with our families. Those
[44:21] important things, but a lot of times holidays, and this is no exception, their significance
[44:28] is somewhat overshadowed by the the frivolity and the fellowship that we engage in.
[44:34] So I would certainly want everyone to be mindful that this country was built on men and women
[44:41] working hard, putting in the extra time, putting in the extra skill. This country, being the
[44:48] country. It was not an accident. It was the hard work and the dedication of a lot of people
[44:55] out there, laboring in a variety of places where there's farms, factories.
[45:00] Or whatever. It's easy for us to think in terms of a narrow category, but I would encourage people to be thinking about labor and about the broader pictures, not just about large companies that employ thousands of people. Those are great institutions and are great pillars of our community.
[45:19] but also keep in mind the small businesses that employ two, three, five, whatever number of people.
[45:28] They work very hard, and even those who are sole proprietors, they all work very hard.
[45:35] So I think we should celebrate not only the hard work of our fellow American citizens,
[45:41] but we should not, we should give it the broadest possible interpretation.
[45:46] because everybody is capable of adding to this society and everybody does put forth that effort.
[45:54] So please keep that in mind. Have a safe, Labor Day weekend, enjoy your time with your families
[46:00] and try not to get overheated. With that, we are adjourned.