Commissioner Spicer, Commissioner Mayo, and Commissioner Thurlow were all present at a regular meeting beginning at 8:30 a.m. The minutes were approved as printed.

Refunds 08R24 to 08 R26 in the amount of $787.12 were reviewed and approved by the Board.

Meg Perry, Jerry Patterson, Andy Contreras, Deb Taddiken , and Pam Spicer, Travel and Tourism Committee, met with the Board. The 2010 proposed budget was presented to the Board for review. The actual expenses for 2008 were reviewed and several changes were suggested for the 2010 year.

Judge William Malcolm, met with Board to thank them personally for the financial support that the County is providing the District Court System. This is very important for the citizens of Clay County to keep this office open.

Gini Harold, met with the Board, to discuss the Incentive Grant Programs that are available with Clay County. Mrs. Harold was wondering if any action had been taken on the Incentive Programs proposal that she presented on May 18th. The Board is very interested in making changes to the program, but they have made no decisions at this time.

Arnie Knoettgen, Maintenance and Vicky Peterson, Master Gardner, met with the Board to discuss the Courthouse grounds. Commissioner Mayo made the motion to spend $1400 on landscaping less the share that will be paid by the Clay Center Public Utilities. Commissioner Thurlow seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

Gailen Tyrell, Landfill/Noxious Weed Supervisor, met with the Board to present the 2010 proposed Landfill Department and Mowing Department budgets. These budgets were left for review with the Board. The Chairman signed the approval of three hauling permits for the landfill. This is for the collection, transport and disposal of solid waste at the County Solid Waste disposal area. Personnel issues were also discussed.

Leon Osbourn, President, Jennifer Elliott, and Chad McCullough, Kaw Valley Engineering, Inc. met with the Board. Steve Liby, Highway Administrator, joined the meeting. The possibility of hiring a firm to act as an inspector and to look after the interest of Clay County for the damages that may occur with the Keystone Pipeline that will be crossing through the County. Kaw Valley Engineering would be very interested in doing this and said that the County needs to be pro-active on taking pictures of bridges, roads, structures and to map out the haul routes.

Steve Liby, Highway Administrator and Rick James, County Attorney, met with the Board. The need to draw up an agreement with Keystone Pipeline to cover concerns for crossroads, easements and right-a –ways was discussed.

Shon Slingsby, Alan Milbradt, and Richard Kraybill, PBA Architect, met with the Board to discuss future Courthouse renovation projects. Commissioner Thurlow made the motion to hire PBA Architect firm at the cost of $18,000 for the assessment and consulting services for future renovation project. Pending the agreement review. Commissioner Mayo seconded and the motion carried unanimously.

Lech Wisniewski, US Census 2010, met with the Board to express how important it is for all citizens in Clay County to fill out the survey when it arrives next year. The more participation in the County the more Federal tax dollars that will be available to the County. The survey will have 10 questions on it and should take only about 10 minutes to fill out. Approximately 24 people have been hired in Clay County to update maps and to visually update addresses on every residence in the County.

Rick James, County Attorney, met with the Board. The Court System was discussed.

The Board Adjourned at 1:10 p.m.

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Michael W. Spicer, Chairman Kayla Wang, County Clerk