The Clay County Commission approved a $25,000 transfer within funds to cover water and sewer charges at Little Platte Park, voting 6-0 on item 2025230.

John Davis, Parks Director, told the commission the City of Smithville — the county's utility provider for that side of the park — identified billing errors and began charging the county a meter fee and commercial sewer fees starting in late 2024. Davis said one sewer meter was not working and another meter had not been installed as required in 2011; the county has since fixed the broken meter and is arranging the outstanding meter installation.

Davis said the requested transfer would move $25,000 from accounting and consulting services and the golf-course budget to the water-and-sewer line to cover charges for the remainder of the year. "Dollars 25,000 will cover us for the rest of the year," Davis said. He estimated that amount would cover roughly five months at current peak usage and that one monthly bill had been about $6,900.

Commissioner Lawson asked for follow-up data: "I'd really...like to know what that is per month," and Davis said the county can request monthly counts from the utility. Commissioner Johnson confirmed the golf course side of Little Platte Park is connected to the City of Smithville sewer system and that the county moved away from lagoon treatment in 2011.

Commissioner Johnson moved to approve the transfer; the motion passed 6-0.