By Frank Phillips
DLC Media
A contract with Purdue University for Extension Office services has been deferred by the Clay County Commissioners.
The annual contract states Purdue will provide 2.5 extension educators for Clay County. There are not that many county educators in Clay County and have not been for several months.
County Commission President Paul Sinders asked attorney Eric Somheil, “If we do not have that many (educators) do we have to pay the full amount?”
The attorney said Purdue University is contractually bound to provide the 2.5 educators.
Sinders said he understands it is difficult to find educators at the present time.
The commissioners agreed to defer signing the contract with Purdue until Sinders can speak with Purdue authorities.
In other business:
* Sheriff Brison Swearingen asked for two job description changes that will not increase the number of people in the sheriff’s department. The first is a lieutenant’s position already defined in the merit rules and the department’s standard operating procedures. There is a person recognized as the “chief deputy” but the sheriff wants that person to have the title “lieutenant.”
* Swearingen also wants a supervisor to be named to supervise the other two dispatchers in the evening. He said there is money appropriated. He said the addition of the two job descriptions will “clean up” the organization of the Clay County Sheriff’s Department. His request passed the county commissioners 3-0 and was passed 6-0 by the Clay County Council at its meeting Tuesday night.
“You are the man in charge,” County Council President Larry Moss told the Sheriff. “If this is the way you want it done, I’m all in favor of it.”
* Parcels of land not sold by the county last year will be sold in March or April at a tax sale. The 108 parcels will be sold by the county “that is severely delinquent in tax payments,” Sinders said. The minimum bid accepted will be $50 per parcel.
* Contracts with non-profit organizations in the county were approved including $32,000 to be paid by the county to the Clay County Humane Society.
* Again this year, Center Point will pay the county $2,000 per year to clear snow on streets connecting county roads. County trucks “drive these roads anyway,” said Commissioner Marty Heffner. “It’s a very good agreement.” Commissioner Sinders agreed, saying, Center Point receives tax money for the town’s streets.
* All of the bids for highway materials received in December were approved and are available for review by the public in the Clay County Auditor’s office.