Clay County Presiding Commissioner Jerry Nolte’s resolution to halt construction of the proposed $20,000,000 county annex is scheduled to be heard at the September 14 Commission meeting. Under that resolution, activity may not go forward until the official platting is completed and the mandatory public infrastructure review are approved by the Kansas City Planning and Zoning Department. Furthermore, the platting and public infrastructure review must be approved by the City Council of Kansas City. That documentation would then be presented to the County Commission in an open session meeting before construction and further expenditures.

*Presiding Clay County Commissioner Jerry Nolte believes the people deserve answers*

“Construction projects are required to go through the process of platting the property and infrastructure review. Clay County Associate Commissioners once again refuse to follow the rules which apply to all other real estate developments” observed Nolte. “According to the Kansas City Planning and Zoning webpage, Beck—Cal LLC is listed as the property owner, not Clay County.”

Commissioner Nolte’s resolution is scheduled for the September 14 County Commission meeting, however, discussion of this issue has not been allowed and citizens’ voices have been effectively silenced by Commissioners Owen and Ridgeway.

“It is unconscionable that two people can impose their will on the citizens,” said Nolte. “The right course of action is for this decision to come before the newly elected commission so they and the public can be fully informed before any additional expenditure of county funds.”

Commissioner Gene Owen seized unilateral spending authority by a 2-1 vote under Resolution 2020- 110 on April 6, with Nolte in opposition. Commissioner Owen has committed taxpayers to legal contracts and debt obligations related to the proposed annex without public comment or oversight by the full Commission.

During the August 24, Commission meeting, Nolte scheduled a discussion of the current status of the proposed County Annex to include: expenditures to date, contracts entered into by the county, permits required, any cost overruns, schedules for groundbreaking, construction and completion. That discussion was removed from the agenda by a 2-1 vote.

“Why is this project being shrouded in secrecy if it is truly in the best interest of the citizens of Clay County?” questioned Nolte. “Even though the public no longer has the ability to comment at supposedly open commission meetings, at least they could have heard the discussion.”

Upon completion, Clay County will have approximately 20,000 square feet of finished office space as opposed to 60,000 square feet pitched to the public in the original proposal.

“My understanding is the upper floor will not be finished under this plan nor the basement, additional tax money will be required to complete the Annex as promised,” said Nolte. “This feels like a bait-and-switch scheme with taxpayers coming out the losers.”

This project is located at the Southeast corner of North Brighton Road and Highway 152, is financed as part of the over $50,000,000 Certificate of Participation Bonds (COP). These bonds are a 20-year debt obligation on the citizens of Clay County without a vote of the people. The COP was pushed through the Commission on a 2-1 vote, Presiding Commissioner Nolte voted no.

Like many citizens, Commissioner Nolte believes the people deserve answers.

KPGZ News - Jim Dickerson contributed to this report