Clay Board Purchases Body Cameras

Clay County board members this week voted to purchase body cameras and in-car cameras for use by the sheriff's department.

The purchase for a five-year period will cost $277,146.

Clay County Sheriff Andy Myers said the cost is high, but said the State is forcing the hand of local governments by requiring systems to be implemented by 2025.

Myers said officers have opposed the idea of cameras, but are now of the opinion that they should be used to show what they deal with on a daily basis, both good and bad.

Clay County Engineer Darin Koelm asked for approval of a bridge aid petition in Pixley Township on Ruby Road, with the $7,500 cost split between the county and the township. Koelm also reported that Pheasant Road in Oskaloosa Township is now open following the installation of a new culvert.

Clay County Hospital President and CEO Bob Sellers presented information and a proposal for a new 5,715 square foot addition to the Flora Medical Clinic on the Clay County Hospital campus in Flora. The new construction will be overseen by contractor AKRA Builders of Effingham. The project also includes a major renovation of the existing 15,000 square foot building. The project, slated to begin at the end of this month, is esimated to cost $4.33 million and to be completed in July of 2023.