Clay County Charter Review Commission approves final report, forwards amendment to Nov. 2026 ballot

The Clay County Charter Review Commission on May 18 approved its 2025–26 final report, authorized a $1,346.25 final payment to the commission attorney and agreed to submit a proposed charter amendment to the Board of County Commissioners for placement on the Nov. 3, 2026 general election ballot.

The chair told commissioners the CRC had held the three public hearings required by the charter and that the proposed amendment — described in the meeting packet as revisions to section 2.2 concerning legislative-branch salaries and compensation — will be forwarded to the Board of County Commissioners for inclusion on the ballot. "The CRC has held 3 public hearings as required by the Charter, and now will submit to the Board of County Commissioners the proposed amendment to be placed on the general election ballot in November 2026," the chair said.

Under new business, the commission reviewed an invoice dated May 18 for the attorney’s final payment. The chair said the final payment total due was $1,346.25 and noted that the attorney had reduced his fees. CRC member Bill Engelbrecht moved to approve the payment; Vice Chair Ewell McNair seconded the motion, and the commission approved the payment by voice vote.

The commission also considered the Charter Review Commission 2025/2026 final report, which the chair said had been prepared by the commission’s attorney and is included in the meeting packet. "I make a motion to approve," the clerk said; a CRC member seconded the motion, and the commission approved the final report by voice vote. The chair stated that, having completed the required hearings and produced the final report, the CRC will submit the proposed amendment to the county commissioners for placement on the November ballot.

The chair opened two public-comment periods during the meeting; in both instances she said, "hearing and seeing none," and closed the periods without any public speakers. During closing remarks CRC member Bill Engelbrecht thanked fellow commissioners for their service; the chair thanked the vice chair, county attorney and staff for their work on the review.

When CRC member Susan Callahan asked what steps citizens should take to learn more about the amendment, the chair said public education falls outside the CRC’s duties and encouraged residents to contact their county commissioners for more information. The meeting concluded after a motion to adjourn.

What happens next: the commission’s final report and the proposed amendment will be submitted to the Board of County Commissioners, which will determine placement on the Nov. 2026 ballot and any outreach or explanatory materials for voters.