At the May 11, 2016 meeting of the Clark County Commissioners, County Administrator Nathan Kennedy provided the commissioners with a draft of a proposed amendment to the Budget Policy. The amendment includes a list of questions that will the commissioners will review to determine if the $500,000 Commissioners Contingency Fund should fund a proposed project. The Commissioners funded this account in their annual budget to be used for projects in Clark County that create additional jobs, retail activity, commercial activity or other economic development in the county. The goal is to improve the quality of life for Clark County Residents and provide additional economic growth for the community. The amendment addresses three areas to help the commissioners determine whether a project should be funded. The three areas that will be evaluated include economic development, community development and capital improvements. Kennedy said, “These questions set the baseline. Is the project sizable and does it mean something for the community? It allows the commissioners to hash out in open session whether the project proceeds.”
 
The commissioners will review the draft and discuss the adoption of the amendment at the May 18, 2016 meeting.
 
In other business, the commissioners designated the Clark County Department of Job and Family Services (DJFS) as the lead agency for Comprehensive Case Management and Employment Program effective July 1, 2016. According to the Director of DJFS Virginia K. Martycz, this program, which is mandated by the state, requires anyone who receives assistance from the state to participate in the program.
 
The program integrates money from Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014 (WIOA) to address family issues that prevent long-term self-sufficiency. The program focuses on young adults, 16 to 24, who are struggling to complete high school and may be homeless, suffer from substance abuse, teen pregnancy or mental health issues.
 
Martycz estimates that initially the program will support approximately 100 participants.
 
Commissioner Richard Lohnes commented, “This is a challenge because of the wide variety of clients who will be served.”
 
For the Clark County Agriculture Society, the commissioners approved a Memorandum of Understanding for $200,000 for Capital Improvements at the Fairgrounds. The monies will be used to repair roofs and upgrade the county owned buildings on the fairground. Commissioner John Detrick added, “I’m glad to see that we are making improvements to the number one tourist attraction in Clark County.”
 
In regular business, the commissioners approved a payment to Arcon Builders, LTD for $20,815 for work done thus far on the Juvenile Court Courtyard Improvement Project. The commissioners retained $1,810 at Security National Bank to be paid when the project is complete.
 
The next meeting of the Clark County Commissioners is scheduled for May 18, 2016 at 8:30 a.m. in the Commissioners’ Conference Room at 50 E. Columbia Street.