Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Appointments topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Clay County Commission appoints Damon Hodges as county administrator
Summary
The Clay County Commission voted unanimously to appoint Damon Hodges as county administrator and chief budget officer and approved an attached contract; Hodges said he will begin work June 23.
The Clay County Commission voted unanimously Thursday to appoint Damon Hodges as Clay County administrator and chief budget officer, approving the contract by a 6-0 roll call after public introductions and commissioners’ remarks.
The appointment, carried as Resolution 2025-144, follows a nationwide search; commissioners praised Hodges’s local experience and said the contract is ready for approval. Hodges told the commission he plans to “hit the ground June 23.”
The vote comes after county staff presented the resolution and county legal counsel said the contract had been developed at the direction of the commission. Commissioners described a multi-stage hiring process that included an executive search firm and interviews of finalists.
Commissioner Johnson said Hodges rose to the top of a national applicant pool and noted: “You’re local. You’re Clay — you are part of Clay County.” Commissioner Wagner recalled previous projects with Hodges and said his experience showed creativity and problem-solving. Commissioner Lawson said he appreciated Hodges’s record and looked forward to working together. Several commissioners thanked outgoing administrator Diana Wright by name for her prior service during remarks.
Hodges introduced family members present in the chambers and summarized his public-works background and local ties. “I started as a design engineer in 1999 in public service,” Hodges said, describing more than 20 years in public works and noting he has lived in Clay County for 23 years. He told commissioners he wants to help the county accommodate different housing preferences and growth patterns and reiterated his June 23 start date.
The commission recessed briefly for photos after the vote. The commission chair indicated Hodges will work with county staff and commissioners on transition matters and invited the new administrator to begin engaging with departmental leadership. No additional formal direction or follow-up tasks were recorded in the meeting minutes for this item.
Votes and next steps: The commission approved Resolution 2025-144 by voice/roll call, motion recorded as passing 6-0. The contract was described as negotiated at the direction of the commission and recommended for approval by county legal counsel; the meeting record does not specify the contract’s dollar terms.
