Update given on jail project

By RANDALL ALLEN

Horizon Reporter

CELINA-Clay County commissioners appointed various positions and adjusted the speed limit on Crabtree Creek and North Fork roads during their September meeting here last week.

Mayor Dale Reagan also provided legislators with an update on the budget and jail.

Commissioner Bryan Coons made a motion to nominate Dale Reagan as chairman and commissioner Dorothy Forney seconded the motion, which passed 8-0 with commissioners Austin Smith and Mark Poindexter not present for the vote.

Commissioner Winton Young made a motion to nominate Coons as chairman pro-temp.  Forney again offered a second, and the motion passed 8-0.

With no other nominations to the respective positions, Reagan and Coons were appointed by acclamation.

Smith joined the meeting before county legislators preceded to vote on appointing the judicial commissioner. 

Coons made a motion to reappoint Cassie Haney as the judicial commissioner.  Commissioner Jeff Gentry seconded the motion, and it passed 9-0.

Forney made a motion to approve the appointment of members to the various boards and committees of Clay County.  Young seconded the motion, and it passed 9-0.

Young made a motion to approve a road dedication on Pleasant Hill Road.  Commissioner Jerry Rhoton seconded the motion and it passed 9-0.

Jeff Gentry made a motion to approve a speed limit change to two roads, including Crabtree Creek Road and North Fork Road.  The speed limit was reduced from 55 to 25 MPH.  Commissioner Parrish Wright seconded both motions, and they passed 9-0.

After the resolutions, Reagan gave commissioners an update on the budget and the jail.

“I would like to let everyone know that our budget was submitted and sent in to the comptroller’s office,” Reagan said.  “Hopefully in about 30 days or so, we will get the letter of approval for that.”

The mayor then gave an update about the jail.

“We talked to Chris Hampton from the USDA and he is still waiting for the environmental study to come back,” Reagan said.  “We are going to have to do another financial study, I was hoping we wouldn’t have to, but (the initial study) was five years ago.

“I reached out to the group that did (the previous) one for us, and he is going to get back with us and let me know when he can get started on it,” Reagan continued.  “I asked Chris if he could see any problems, and he said no.

“He just had to have that study to go in the packet to make sure someone was going to pay for this (project).  Once we get the approval for the debt, for our loan, we will really get cranked up and moving here.”