The Clay County Board of County Commissioners (BCC) workshop on June 17, 2025, focused on significant budget cuts in response to financial constraints. The meeting highlighted a proposed reduction of approximately $16.6 million from the county's budget, which includes eliminating 15 vacant positions and adjusting salary increases for county employees.

Key discussions revealed that the county plans to reduce the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for employees from 3% to 1%. This adjustment would allow for some movement in job classifications but would effectively mean no COLA increase for the upcoming year. The budget cuts would also impact various county services and projects, including a reduction in reserves for the sheriff's office and significant cuts to public safety equipment and maintenance projects.

Specific proposals included halving the budget for sidewalk repairs, eliminating the historical courthouse roof project, and cutting funding for stormwater repairs from $2.1 million to $1.6 million. Additionally, the budget for new equipment and training would see substantial reductions, alongside the cancellation of several planned projects, such as the public safety storage buildings and pressure washing of county buildings.

The proposed cuts aim to address a budget shortfall while maintaining essential services, but they raise concerns about the potential impact on public safety and infrastructure. The BCC will continue to evaluate these proposals as they work towards finalizing the budget for the upcoming fiscal year.