Clay Board Approves Health Board Members, Approves GIS Contract

Clay County board members Tuesday approved the reappointment of three members to the County Board of Health. Each will serve a three-year term.

The members include Dr. Joel Hackney, who will serve as board president, Randy Wells, who will serve as vice president, and Lisa Cash, who will serve as secretary.

The Board approved a planning grant agreement with Civil Design of Effingham. The firm will update the county's GIS database. 

The system will keep track of roads and bridges, culverts and utility lines in the county.

The Board also discussed with Clay County Engineer Darin Koelm the state's requirement that 911 signs be maintained, but not providing funding for such maintenance. 

Koelm also reported that mowing of county rights-of-way has begun, but only to maintain visibility along the roadways and at intersections.

The Clay board also approved a two-year contract with Clay County Public Defender Chris Elliott. State law maintains that Public Defenders be paid at least 90% of the state's attorney's salary, around $125,000 a year.

Board members also commended the North Clay/Clay City baseball team for winning the Class 1A state championship.