[0:00] We will begin this evening with our invocation from Randall Kramer. Just so everybody knows, when

[0:07] you come up to address the commission, please make sure the green light is on, speak directly

[0:11] 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

[0:23] a moment of silence for Mike and Joe Barnett, the student athlete from William Jewel who passed

[0:30] away recently.

[0:31] So if we have a moment for that gentleman,

[0:46] thank you very much and let's keep his family

[0:48] and friends in our thoughts and prayers.

[0:50] With that, if you could proceed and if you want to give us a little background on your

[0:55] denomination, the church that you might be attached to, you know, certainly feel free to

[0:59] kind of give us a little bit of knowledge about you before you proceed with your invocation.

[1:03] Absolutely.

[1:04] Thank you.

[1:04] So, again, I'm President Randall Kramer of the Church of Jesus Christ of

[1:09] Out of Day Saints.

[1:10] 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.

[1:20] Thank you.

[1:21] Thank you.

[1:23] Hard to hear Heavenly Father.

[1:25] We're thankful for this day and we're thankful for many blessings.

[1:29] We're thankful for the different things which we're able to experience in this life, both

[1:33] the good and the bad and are thankful for the hope of which thou provides for us.

[1:38] Our hearts go out to those who may be hurt and struggling, especially for the family

[1:44] of this young man who recently passed away and for his friends and how this has affected

[1:48] the community and pray that there may be great comfort both from those here on this earth

[1:56] and from those that we can't see to help those who may be struggling.

[2:00] We are thankful for our freedoms, Father. We are thankful for this wonderful country which

[2:04] we are able to live. We ask you to bless the leaders of this country, especially those

[2:09] in this body, that they may be inspired to continue to make wise choices, to continue to

[2:14] support freedom, and to be a blessing to those of who live in this community. And we pray

[2:20] that we may look for opportunities to serve those who are in need, or in need, those who

[2:26] who are needy and those who are in need of help,

[2:30] pray that we may provide opportunities

[2:31] to help them fill by love and we pray for this

[2:33] in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

[2:36] Thank you.

[2:37] Please join me in the pledge.

[2:40] I pledge that you

[2:43] have a state of America

[2:45] and to the real.

[2:54] Thank you.

[3:02] Please call the roll.

[3:03] Commissioner Nolting.

[3:05] Here.

[3:05] Commissioner Widdington.

[3:06] Here.

[3:07] Commissioner Lawson.

[3:08] Here.

[3:09] Commissioner Wagner.

[3:10] Here.

[3:11] Commissioner Johnson.

[3:12] Here.

[3:12] Commissioner Carpenter.

[3:14] With

[3:19] that we will move to approval of the minutes Commissioner Johnson.

[3:24] Move to approve.

[3:25] Tonight's agenda.

[3:28] I would like to recommend a couple of changes and if you could roll those into your motion

[3:34] I'd appreciate that commissioner.

[3:38] The nominee for the workforce development could not be here with us this evening.

[3:43] They have said that they would be able to be here next week, so I would like to take that item.

[3:48] That is to say 2026-239 off of the agenda, and furthermore, I would like to have 2026-233,

[3:58] which is appointment of the member to the nominee to the library board.

[4:03] And I would like to move up to the top of our irregular agenda, because that person has kind of rearranged her work schedule to be here,

[4:12] And so if we could do her the courtesy of having her at the top of the agenda, I think that might be a good courtesy.

[4:19] So if you could adjust, I'll see if anyone else has anything to add, but if you could adjust your motion to take in those items, I would appreciate it.

[4:28] So move. Any further discussion? Seeing none, you're recognized to close.

[4:35] Please call the roll.

[4:37] Commissioner Johnson.

[4:38] Yes.

[4:39] Commissioner Carpenter.

[4:40] Yes.

[4:41] Commissioner Wildington.

[4:43] Yes.

[4:43] Commissioner Lawson.

[4:44] Yes.

[4:45] Commissioner Wagner.

[4:46] Aye.

[4:47] Five in favor.

[4:49] Thank you.

[4:50] That brings us to ceremonial matters.

[4:53] We have one item under that heading.

[4:55] That would be 2026-237, Mr. Administrator.

[4:58] Yes.

[4:58] Evening have ceremonial matters.

[5:02] Yes, ceremonial matters.

[5:04] All right.

[5:04] 2026-237.

[5:05] The proclamation for America to 50 citizen challenge coin presentation for Patricia Jamison,

[5:11] Commissioner Wagner will be the presenter.

[5:13] Commissioner, you may proceed.

[5:15] Thank you.

[5:16] It's been a bit and some may have forgotten that the semi-consentennial happened this year,

[5:22] but we do have a reminder of that with this presentation this evening.

[5:26] Patricia Jamison has done what she needs to do, gathered all the points that is necessary

[5:32] to get her coin and a proclamation for us this evening as a reminder, since it's been a bit,

[5:39] just a reminder that this is an opportunity for those who want to help celebrate

[5:46] America's founding to be able to do so through this citizen challenge. It requires participants

[5:50] to perform a variety of tasks that can include things like reading the Declaration of Independence,

[5:56] the U.S. Constitution, voting, which is coming up here in a couple of months, attending public meetings,

[6:02] meeting public officials like those of us here in performing community service. I am especially

[6:09] pleased to see Ms. Jamison because I have I have found ways to delay this in ways you cannot

[6:15] possibly fathom. First when she joined us as part of our leadership program here in the county,

[6:21] I had the opportunity to meet her for the first time and she said at that point, hey I'm trying to

[6:27] get on there, but it's not letting me. We need to fix that and so on and so on to tonight

[6:33] telling here I don't know if I've got a coin for you, but my friend Commissioner withington

[6:40] got you covered. So we're going to be able to do that this evening. But her interest in

[6:48] our community is strong. She has done a wonderful job. And really every fast that she has engaged

[6:55] with us in this county and so it makes total sense to man I'm very happy to point out that

[7:02] Ms. Jamison is our our design for the evening. I will also point out since it's almost literally

[7:09] a couple months from now. We are still taking individuals and I promise you Ms. Jamison will do it

[7:15] faster for them but we are still taking those individuals who may be interested in being a part of

[7:21] this program. For the next two months, they just need to go on to ClayCounty250.org.

[7:27] But again, thank you Patricia for being a part of this. And I hope that those that

[7:32] are watching are taking your lead and will be here in a short period of time. But thank

[7:37] you very much. Commissioner, did you mention how they reach out in contact?

[7:42] ClayCounty250.org. Just get on there. Everything will be there for them.

[7:46] The Pays to Advertises you well.

[7:48] Pays to advertise, takes seven times, so I'll repeat it five non-micro.

[7:54] If Ms. Jamison would like to come up and give us a little bit of the background about

[7:59] how she, what she had done to achieve this honor and just kind of give us her thoughts

[8:04] on the program, that would be wonderful.

[8:06] Yes, please up to the microphone.

[8:21] Oh, you're good.

[8:25] Patricia Jamison.

[8:25] I'm a lifelong plate county resident and it was I went when I was in the sixth grade we celebrated the

[8:35] Merck is bicentennial so I'm kind of given away my age but that was a really special time

[8:41] It was everywhere we celebrated big it was emphasized a lot it was really special and it helped me to

[8:51] to appreciate our founding fathers more and things.

[8:56] So as we were approaching the 250th,

[8:59] I wanted it to not just slip by

[9:01] like a standard independent state to me

[9:05] and I was looking for something to make more special

[9:08] and that's when I stumbled on the,

[9:11] well actually when you talked about involvement,

[9:13] I was signing up 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 but he helped me get it going and I really enjoyed working on it.

[9:28] People still have plenty of time to do it.

[9:31] One of the things I'd always wondered 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 was 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 in aid of.

[9:55] And then the last thing I did, I saved for independent state self, was to read the declaration

[10:00] of independence.

[10:02] And all that, it achieved my goal of trying to help make the 250 stand out to me more.

[10:08] Awesome.

[10:09] Awesome.

[10:09] Thank you very much.

[10:10] Does anybody have any questions or comments on the other commissioners?

[10:14] If not, then we will proceed with the presentation of the coin and the certificate.

[10:46] So you go first and then I'll go.

[11:41] Okay, that concludes our ceremonial matters.

[11:43] Next are public comments.

[11:44] Are there any members of the public wishing to address the commission on any subjects of importance to them?

[11:51] Seeing none.

[11:52] That brings us to our consent agenda, Mr. Administrator.

[11:55] Yes,

[11:59] 2026-235, approval, invoice payments for Clay County for the period of August 22nd, to August 28th, the total of 317 invoices telling $643,184.70.

[12:14] The next one was approval of 2026-240, approval of invoice payments for timekeeping system, annual support, and hosting the Guard 1 RFID inmate tracking system for my sheriff office.

[12:26] Yes, that's it for our consent agenda.

[12:29] Thank you.

[12:30] Commissioner Johnson.

[12:32] Moved approval from that consent agenda.

[12:34] Excuse me.

[12:35] Motion's been made for the approval of the Seeninx Consent Agenda discussion.

[12:39] Seeing none, you recognize the close.

[12:41] Please call the roll.

[12:42] Commissioner Johnson.

[12:44] Yes.

[12:44] Commissioner Carpenter.

[12:45] Yes.

[12:46] Commissioner Widdington.

[12:47] Yes.

[12:47] Commissioner Lawson.

[12:49] Yes.

[12:49] Commissioner Wagner.

[12:50] Aye.

[12:51] Motion passes five and zero.

[12:54] Thank you.

[12:55] That brings us to our amended regular agenda.

[12:59] First on that amended agenda is 2026-233, Mr. Administrator?

[13:04] Yes, 2026-233, reappointment of a member to the mid-conant library board.

[13:09] Laurie Lemunian is a member that has been there before, and is 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 like

[13:24] I'd like to point out that she is someone who's been on the library board before as was

[13:28] just alluded to, however, in spite of the fact that you've been on there before, I think

[13:33] you're one of the more junior members 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 than you yourself, so you're

[13:42] well, have experiences still somewhat, like I say, on the junior side.

[13:47] I just completed my first term on the library board and I learned so much about Clay County

[13:56] and how we represent there are two members from Clay County that represent all of our constituents,

[14:04] all of our people that read and our children and I am also serving as the board chair for the

[14:12] technology committee and advocating for our libraries, not just the Johnson County

[14:20] libraries, to have more technology and then for STEM programs. So that's where I am.

[14:30] It's why I volunteered for the board to serve there. It's a volunteer position. And as

[14:34] I serve, just because my children that I have have really enjoyed them, the continent public

[14:39] library and I just wanted to give back a little bit.

[14:42] Thank you. Is there anyone who would like to inquire or may come in on this nominee?

[14:51] Seeing. Oh, I'm sorry. Oh, there you are. I'm sorry to see.

[14:54] Well, first of all, thanks for serving on the board and for your, you know, commitment of your time.

[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

[15:12] now been a great asset to our society, but thanks have kept changing and seems to me

[15:19] that trying to keep up with what's happening in technology is only going to be harder over

[15:25] time and so I'm grateful that that is on your agenda. Where do you, you know, obviously

[15:30] libraries over the decades have changed a lot just with the way people use them. I'm

[15:34] curious your thoughts on how you see that going forward into the next decade.

[15:39] So there's been a lot, you know, because I'm very into technology people are like, oh, you're

[15:43] all about, you know, reading a virtual book. No, I am not. I am absolutely for, I prefer a soft

[15:50] paper back, over a hard back, but I definitely prefer 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-Content 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 that

[16:14] out.

[16:14] And there's a lot of great opportunities that the library has from a technology perspective that people aren't always aware of.

[16:22] And so I love to go to hear the meetings 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 trying to fill out resumes or they need to print something or fact something.

[16:40] I mean, the library does a lot of, and it's an extension that sometimes people can't afford to have in their house.

[16:48] Very good. Thank you.

[16:50] Richard Johnson.

[16:52] Yes, I will say, and this is an question for you, but maybe you were not aware of this, but we actually had ten applicants supply for your position.

[17:01] So I just want to say thank you to those people who applied to volunteer to be on the library board.

[17:07] And even though you didn't make it on the board this time, I would encourage them to continue

[17:13] to apply for the various boards and commissions that we have online because there's plenty

[17:19] from which to choose.

[17:21] So I just want to get that out there and thank those nine other people that applied.

[17:25] By

[17:27] the way, before I go to Commissioner Wittington, thank you for raising that point because it's

[17:32] very gratifying sometimes we don't have but maybe one person apply.

[17:36] I think it's worth noting that we have a larger number of people participating and that

[17:41] speaks volumes about citizen involvement.

[17:45] Thank you for your patience, commission and withington, you may proceed.

[17:48] Hey, thank you for doing this and yeah, I agree, Jay, it's amazing when you actually advertise

[17:55] open board positions, how many people actually apply for it, you know, we've seen a big

[17:58] uptick over the last year or two, but can you just explain like what your qualifications

[18:05] I was looking at your application and one of the questions was, you know, why you're interested and what your qualification and it just said

[18:12] 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

[18:23] 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

[18:31] public shows or for the different things, and when I signed up for the board, what my

[18:38] heart was is to give back to the community, just my time, and helping to serve and to

[18:44] make a difference.

[18:45] There are a lot of requirements that go in.

[18:47] There's a lot of meetings, a lot of advocacy that we need to make sure that is representing

[18:57] I mean, just from a technology perspective,

[19:00] one of the things that I've continued to advocate for

[19:03] is in the Chicago libraries they have what we have

[19:05] a maker space and the maker spaces has 3D printers

[19:09] and we don't have that in our libraries

[19:11] and I've been trying for the last few years

[19:13] to get that even volunteering.

[19:15] And I think we've made a little bit of progress towards that

[19:18] and I do hope that we can continue to push forward

[19:23] that we can have things that our children,

[19:26] that children of Clay County have the same rights.

[19:29] We have our gifted and talented program

[19:31] that is, you know, over on North Oak,

[19:34] that's with the North Kansas School District,

[19:35] which is wonderful.

[19:37] And my children got to participate, you know,

[19:39] in that and do all of the different things

[19:41] with 3D printings or laser engraving.

[19:43] But there are children that are outside of that program

[19:45] that don't have that same access.

[19:47] And I would like to see that in the library

[19:50] because it would be a free service for them.

[19:52] You can also pay and go down to Union Station

[19:54] to science city to have some of that but we don't have that in our library and that's something

[19:59] that I'm very passionate about and the board knows that and I'm very passionate about that because

[20:04] I want I want to have a difference and make sure that we not only clay county but it would be all

[20:10] of the districts that would have access to the maker and I should know this but I don't how long

[20:15] how long was your board board I had your term was it a four-year four-year so what would you say your

[20:20] The biggest accomplishment was being on that board for the last four years.

[20:23] Well, the first year on the board is a very high learning curve.

[20:28] 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

[20:38] 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 Independence Branch and watch how they

[20:48] move books when you order a book and it's not on your shelf and you ask for it to be there.

[20:53] 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

[21:03] the people that are at each library. It is very fascinating to be a part of that.

[21:08] One of the things that I am proud of is the fact that I do make a difference in the technology area.

[21:15] Yeah, I think that one of my commission was during COVID,

[21:19] and our libraries had to shut down, actually it was post-COVID,

[21:23] but it was, you know, we still had some of the ramifications

[21:26] from that, and that's how we have our hotspots

[21:29] that we have 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, is from a technology side.

[21:45] So I do serve as the Board of Directors on the Board of Directors,

[21:49] but I also serve on the Technology Committee.

[21:52] So have you guys been able to apply for any grants for those 3D printers?

[21:55] We have, we have lots of opportunities just having to decide

[22:00] is it a maker space, is it in one library, is it where it would be virtual or what it is?

[22:07] So it's still undecided, but that's something that's on my heart.

[22:11] Okay, so how closely you think you are to get in that getting those I have a meeting next Monday

[22:16] Okay, I look forward to hearing an update from you on that

[22:20] Thank you

[22:22] Something I'd like to point out and this doesn't have to necessarily specifically with this nominee

[22:26] But just for the advocation of whoever's watching I believe the commission is aware of this

[22:33] But this board is made up of 12 people for from each of the three counties has clay, plat and Jackson

[22:40] and so that is the makeup of it and each county obviously goes through the same process that we are currently going through of appointing members.

[22:49] So it is a board that is unique in that we are reaching out across and beyond our borders.

[22:57] You had made reference to the independence branch, I believe.

[23:01] So the people who are serving on these boards, while from Play County,

[23:05] We also are overseeing a lot of the activities in Platt and Jackson counties.

[23:12] Commissioner Carpner, I'm sorry, I didn't-

[23:14] Thanks, no, I didn't.

[23:14] It's a quick question of you because you mentioned it.

[23:17] So I know we've got this staggered now, right?

[23:20] And so is the ongoing schedule from here on out basically around this time, every late

[23:26] summer, it'll be a new person up because of four year terms and it's four people.

[23:32] So I assume that means one per year.

[23:34] It could mean that it kind of depends on, you know, the will of the commission.

[23:38] We're not locked into that, 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, you know,

[23:48] other members having been there for a longer term, the idea is to cultivate new people.

[23:53] And that's why it was important to reappoint her in my opinion, was because she has just

[24:03] There's 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.

[24:19] So we don't want, obviously, everybody knew.

[24:22] We will, and I won't get into it because it's for a future meeting.

[24:26] but we do have, I think we've identified at least one board where the staggering needs

[24:33] to be adjusted, so we will once and talked with the pro-tim and with the administrator about

[24:39] that, and one staff is ready to give us some recommendations.

[24:44] That is something I would look forward to having us look at in discussions so that we can then

[24:48] make sure that we have completed the task of staggering the board seats on all the boards

[24:55] to a degree. Yes, just to clarify, that's for a different board, though. Yes, it is a different board, and also we are talking about possibly moving to where we have an

[25:05] anordinate number, a disproportionate number of boards and commissions that come up at end of year or beginning of year, depending on your

[25:11] point of view, and we're trying to spread that a little bit more so that the commission is not inundated with a larger number of boards than necessary. So we're trying to, we're working on

[25:22] Evening that out a little bit.

[25:24] No, it makes sense, absolutely.

[25:25] I just, you know, like was mentioned, a lot of applicants on this one.

[25:27] And I personally heard from at least a couple of them who wanted to be on it.

[25:31] So it's just one where it's helpful for me to be able to tell them precisely, you know,

[25:37] when the next, you know, appointment might, might be up.

[25:42] And, I'm kind of sure I would say that on our website it has updated all the

[25:46] 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 it's one person each year.

[25:55] So that is the best place for people to get

[25:57] updated information that they want to find out places to serve.

[26:00] Please go there.

[26:02] Give more information regarding that.

[26:03] And it also has a link as to who is currently on the board for each of those positions.

[26:09] Wonderful.

[26:10] Thanks.

[26:10] Thank you.

[26:11] Mr. Minister, yes, ma'am.

[26:12] And man, just say, attending the board, you know, it's a great form.

[26:17] It's not quite as fancy of a room as this, but we do have opportunities for anybody

[26:21] who wants to, like, see what it's like to be on the board to attend the board meetings

[26:26] and to have a say in the community of how the libraries, we have a lot of people that come

[26:33] and speak to us.

[26:35] During my term, we've changed from our CEO to a different one.

[26:40] and we've had, you know, a lot of community that has come out and been vocal about that.

[26:46] We've learned a lot from the community and people that volunteer, people that donate,

[26:50] people that make a difference in the library every day. Whether it's in this position,

[26:54] where you attend meetings regularly, or if you just come and attend the board and have a say,

[26:59] it's very important. Wonderful. Thank you. Thank you very much. Is there anything else that you'd like

[27:05] I'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.

[27:13] Thank you.

[27:14] Very good.

[27:18] Okay.

[27:20] Is there a motion on this particular item commissioner Johnson?

[27:26] Moved to approve 2026-233.

[27:29] Motion has been made for the approval of 2026-33.

[27:32] Is there any further discussion?

[27:34] Seeing none, you are recognized to close.

[27:36] I was pleased to call the roll.

[27:38] Commissioner Johnson, Commissioner Carpenter,

[27:41] Commissioner Weithington, Commissioner Lawson,

[27:44] motion passes for zero.

[27:47] Congratulations and thank you for your service.

[27:49] We look forward to working with you in the future.

[27:52] Thank you.

[27:54] That brings us to our next item, which is 2026-236,

[27:58] Mr. Administrator.

[27:59] Yes, 2026-236, Prova invoice payments

[28:02] for Clay County Prosecutor's Office

[28:04] was for the period of August 22nd through August 28th,

[28:07] had a total 19 invoices, totally $10,000, $38.88.

[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 with.

[28:30] Okay, I was wondering about that.

[28:32] I said, okay, whatever you're preparing it.

[28:34] Okay, with that, is there a motion?

[28:37] Commissioner Johnson.

[28:38] Move to approve, 2026-238,

[28:44] right?

[28:44] Okay.

[28:45] 236.

[28:47] I'm sorry.

[28:48] Yeah.

[28:49] Move to approve.

[28:50] 2026-236.

[28:51] Thank you.

[28:52] Motion has been made for approval.

[28:56] 2026-236.

[28:56] No, no.

[28:57] I was just thinking that you need to speak anymore on that.

[29:00] No, I do not.

[29:00] Okay.

[29:01] So, before I completed that, I repeat of the motion.

[29:04] Motion has been made for the approval of 2026-236.

[29:07] Discussion?

[29:10] Seeing none, you're recognized to close.

[29:12] I close.

[29:12] Please call the roll.

[29:14] Commissioner Johnson.

[29:15] Yes.

[29:15] Commissioner Carpenter, Commissioner Whittington, Commissioner Lawson, Commissioner Wagner, motion passes 5-0.

[29:24] Thank you, that brings us to our final item on the evening's regular agenda.

[29:28] That would be 2026-238, Mr. Administrator.

[29:32] Yes, 2026-238, a resolution requests the Commission action of transfer within the funds.

[29:37] Once, ultimately, this is a tuition reimbursement program, I'll let our HR director, Kim, speak

[29:45] more to this, but this is something I shared with you a little earlier this year regarding

[29:49] budget.

[29:50] It's a good thing, but it requires us to provide more money for it, so I'll let her continue

[29:55] sharing the more information regarding it.

[29:58] All right.

[29:58] Thank you.

[29:59] 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 20-26. 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. So this is the first time this has happened.

[30:28] So in previous years, in 24, these are the departments that used, we have a fund of $60,000.

[30:39] So in 24, 75% was used by the Sheriff's Department, 13% was Public Admin, and 12 was Juvenile Department.

[30:49] In 2005, 50% was the Sheriff's Department, 19% was Parks, 13% was Juvenile, and then

[31:00] 6% each was the auditor, GIS, and HR department.

[31:06] Okay, in 2024, we used $34,137, okay, and 25, we used $59,245.

[31:18] dollars. So this year already were at 58% used by the Sheriff's Department 12% by parks

[31:29] and by juvenile and then 6% each from the auditor GIS and HR. So at the beginning of June

[31:37] that's when we saw that we had in convert $60,000, it was $59,000 for the classes. So you might

[31:46] want to say well okay what classes are we talking about here. Before we go on

[31:52] I believe Commissioner Johnson has an observation. Yeah I'm just curious what

[31:56] happened with the parks department there why they all suddenly decided to get

[31:58] educated. Well you know part of it is it's online courses that people are able to

[32:04] use and they find you know a degree that they want to go for and everything has to

[32:11] be approved by the department head to show that it it's going to help the

[32:15] County and so and then it gets sent to the County Administrator to be signed off on

[32:22] B4 you know the funds are encumbered so it has to be before their class. They have to be approved

[32:27] Yeah, I just if you move back to that slide. Previous. Yes, when you look at the difference between I think it's 24 to 25

[32:33] Yes, like all said and somebody woke up the parks department over there

[32:37] Is that getting ball, which is a good thing. It is yeah

[32:41] What's that?

[32:43] Okay, so it's not big numbers then.

[32:46] Right.

[32:46] Yes, okay.

[32:47] That makes sense.

[32:48] But to add to what you're saying, though, part of it is getting information out.

[32:53] And one of the things we've tried to do now is to be more advocates of also sharing information

[32:58] and what we have benefit-wise, kind of just even speaking to what you talked about earlier

[33:02] with the committees of getting that information out.

[33:04] So one of the things we purpose, like with Kim, when they do the onboarding, talk to the new

[33:09] employees about the benefits we have reinarate will be got regarding that with

[33:12] tuition reimbursement, each department has reinarate that to their employees as

[33:16] well because to me it's a great benefit. I mean for you to be able to have part of

[33:20] your tuition paid for and what we have currently, I mean anybody economics right

[33:25] now, we go almost close to $5,000 regarding if you get a certain amount of classes

[33:30] and most have been taking advantage of it and as we can see it continues to

[33:34] spread to almost double in the past two years, it shows that the more you speak

[33:38] to what you want in the morning, but you speak to what we got as benefits.

[33:42] I think the more advantage our employees will take of that.

[33:45] So, yeah, I think this is great.

[33:47] We had some conversation offline briefly a while back when we first saw the shortfall.

[33:53] And I mean, you had me at hello on this stuff.

[33:55] I'm a big believer in this.

[33:57] I think it's a good benefit that we offer our employees.

[34:00] And I don't think we should ever have to say we ran out of money.

[34:03] You can't get your education now.

[34:05] I think this is great for a number of reasons.

[34:07] and so, thank you.

[34:09] Wonderful.

[34:10] This is just an example of some of the courses

[34:13] in 25 and 26, you know, we have criminology,

[34:19] in intro, into court security, biology,

[34:22] emerging management, accounting principles,

[34:25] one, ethics, criminal justice,

[34:31] macroeconomics, principles of GIS.

[34:33] I mean, this is just some examples

[34:35] of some of the courses that have been taken

[34:37] over 25 and 26. And then, okay, what colleges and universities are we looking at? So in

[34:44] 25 and 26, we had American University, Lincoln. We have Metropolitan Community College.

[34:53] That's used a lot for accounting degrees. Park University, University of Kansas, University

[34:59] of Missouri, Columbia, Kansas City, Park University. You know, these online courses have just

[35:05] 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.

[35:25] Right now our limit is 52-50 per year, which is the IRS limit per college coursework, is $2,500

[35:32] for certificate programs.

[35:34] We're looking at possibly a lifetime 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 would spread it out, that's

[35:48] basically going to cover a degree for a person, but there's some different things that we're

[35:53] looking at, different options to enhance our reimbursement program, but we're excited

[36:04] that does this for a good cause.

[36:08] And if you have any questions.

[36:12] Commissioner Johnson, move to proof to 1.6238.

[36:17] Motion has been made to approval of 2026 to 38.

[36:21] Is there any further discussion?

[36:23] Seeing none, you are recognized to close.

[36:25] I close, he's called the role.

[36:27] Commissioner Johnson?

[36:28] Yes.

[36:29] Commissioner Carpenter?

[36:30] Yes.

[36:31] Commissioner Wildington?

[36:32] Yes.

[36:32] Commissioner Lawson?

[36:34] Yes.

[36:34] Commissioner Wagner?

[36:35] Aye.

[36:35] motion passes five and zero. Thank you very much for your presentation, and that concludes this evening's regular agenda as it as amended.

[36:46] That brings us to the county administrator comments, Mr. Administrator.

[36:50] Yes, this reminder that next week is our meeting.

[36:53] Also, our office will be closed this Monday, September 7th, recognition of Labor Day, and also want to wish early birthday.

[37:02] Commissioner Withington.

[37:04] Be birthday.

[37:06] That would be it.

[37:07] We're pretty good.

[37:09] With that, we will go to County Commissioner Commons.

[37:14] Commissioner Carpenter, we'll start with you.

[37:18] Commissioner Johnson.

[37:19] Proceed.

[37:20] Yeah, it's just real briefly.

[37:21] I attended the zoological district meeting today.

[37:23] Nothing major to report.

[37:26] But attendance is a little down this summer,

[37:29] mostly because they think because of the heat,

[37:31] particularly this last month.

[37:32] But reminder that it's a beautiful facility, it's a beautiful zoo, but also I think October, I think our residents are going to the Clay County residents are going to be getting another postcard in the mail for free admission.

[37:48] I think it's going to be for October and November, so be on the lookout for that.

[37:52] And I encourage you to take a joke to the zoo, it's pretty amazing.

[37:57] Thank you.

[37:59] Commissioner Wildington?

[38:02] Mr. Gide?

[38:03] Yes.

[38:03] So after last week's commission meeting, I had a lot of people hit me up about the Jesse

[38:09] James Bank.

[38:11] I think we need to expand that discussion.

[38:14] I talked to Mark Mathis, the owner of the property I gave his information to Damon.

[38:19] He indicated that he's willing to work with the county.

[38:22] He's not tied into, you know, he's not 100% set on rate increase and stuff like that.

[38:30] He indicated that he would be interested in multi-year lease too.

[38:35] So we need to continue to have a discussion with him.

[38:38] But also there's a group of citizens who really love that bank in the James farm.

[38:46] 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 and they're going to pony up some money.

[39:00] 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, so they have also reached out

[39:09] to some professional marketing consultants who they're willing to pay for.

[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 are ready to crack open some checkbooks.

[39:27] So, Commissioner Lawson,

[39:32] a good hit your mark.

[39:33] I'm going to skip over me.

[39:35] 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.

[39:46] And I, not because of that reason, but I think you sit down and think about a little bit.

[39:53] That was the first daylight bank robbery.

[39:58] 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, so I sincerely hope that we will look at talking with these

[40:19] people, opening the door to Mr. Mathes and doing a lot more discussion before we've come

[40:26] to any conclusion.

[40:29] Commissioner Wagner.

[40:30] Yes.

[40:34] There you go.

[40:36] I want to say I appreciate the moment of silence earlier in this meeting as a graduate

[40:44] of William Jewel in the year, I will at least say that anyone who's gone through that

[40:53] 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,

[41:09] which traditionally people look at it as the first weekend of fall. The reality is it is like the end of July and we should treat it as such and whether or not we are at a barbecue were playing

[41:24] scrimmage games of any kind. Please remember it's hot. It's real hot and it's going to stay that way. It looks like at least until the middle of next week if not beyond.

[41:36] So be safe out there, enjoy your holiday and again to the family of Mr. Barnett, 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 about the James Bank.

[41:54] In fact, I was talking to a gentleman this morning.

[41:58] He's a retired banker, so he has some sympathy with the subject matter.

[42:02] and I said, oh, well, that's pretty interesting.

[42:05] Were you working the day that the bank was robbed?

[42:09] He beat me with his cane.

[42:10] I don't know.

[42:12] Anyway, but it is a subject I think that I think we do need

[42:15] to review.

[42:16] I think one of the observations that I would make

[42:19] is that it's not an insignificant amount of money,

[42:26] but it is something we need to take seriously as far as how

[42:30] we are the stewards of the people's money, but I would also observe that in many ways

[42:37] the historical significance adds beyond the dollar value that is attached to it.

[42:43] And as we go through and deliberate on this issue, I'm confident that all commissioners

[42:48] will be thinking in those terms of yes, it is a dollars and sense issue, but it is also

[42:53] our heritage and it is our history in this county.

[42:56] and that's something that we, I think, all hold very dear to our hearts.

[43:03] Yes, I agree with Commissioner Wagner that the passing of the student

[43:10] athlete at William Jewel is tragic and it underscores how dangerous this heat

[43:15] can really be. It's easy to be out there and to think that you're somewhat

[43:19] invincible, particularly when you are a young person. I was glad to see that the

[43:25] And many schools are changing up their sports practice schedules to allow for more breaks

[43:34] to do it in the morning when it's cooler in different ways of trying to mitigate this

[43:40] problem.

[43:41] And certainly all of our schools are certainly bastions of excellence and we would expect

[43:48] nothing less than the care that they show, the students with whom they are

[43:54] interested. As we go into Labor Day, we are all going to be, as again, Commissioner

[44:00] Wagner pointed out, we're all going to be engaging into some degree or another

[44:04] and outside activities. Mine is probably going to have a lot of couch time. It very

[44:09] possibly might, but we should be careful and cognizant of that. And like all

[44:15] holidays. It is not just a time for us to be cooking out and to, you know, spend time

[44:20] with our families. Those are important things, but a lot of times holidays, and this is

[44:25] no exception, their significance is somewhat overshadowed by the frivolity and the fellowship

[44:32] that we engage in. So I would certainly want everyone to be mindful that this country

[44:39] was built on men and women working hard, putting in the extra time, putting in the extra

[44:44] skill.

[44:47] This country, being the great country, it was not an accident. It was the hard work

[44:52] and the dedication of a lot of people out there, laboring in a variety of places where

[44:58] other'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 picture. It's not just about large companies that employ thousands of people. Those are great institutions and great pillars of our community, but also keep in mind the small businesses that employ 2, 3, 5, whatever number of people.

[45:27] So they are, they work very hard and even those who are sole proprietors, they all work

[45:34] very hard.

[45:34] So I think we should celebrate not only the hard work of our American, our fellow American

[45:40] citizens, but we should not, we should give it the broadest possible interpretation because

[45:48] 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, and try not to get overheated.

[46:03] With that, we are adjourned.

Commission Business Session September 3, 2026 6:00 PM

Agenda

Transcript