Clay County Commission

Missouri Auditor Nicole Galloway's audit of the previous Clay County Commission found instances of waste, secrecy and generous benefits to certain employees, among other findings.

The resignations came shortly before a countywide vote Tuesday to adopt a new county constitution, fueled by voters’ frustration with the current county government. The three-member commission is being audited by the state over concerns about transparency and spending.

The order stems from a voter-requested audit of the troubled county commission, which has been sued for violating a government transparency law and underfunding jail contracts.

Clay County voters will decide this November if they want to increase the number of commissioners, decrease their pay, create term limits and make some elected position into appointments.

Carpenter will face Republican Lydia McEvoy, the Clay County collector, in the general election. They’re seeking to replace Gene Owen, who chose not to run for re-election.

Clay County Board of Election Commissioners Director Patty Lamb said the recount shouldn’t take more than a day.

November’s general election will likely change the direction of the Clay County Commission. It’s the first commission election since a state audit requested by thousands of citizens started looking into the county.

There’s a crowded field of candidates with varying experience in county government.

Most of the money will go towards supporting small businesses in Clay County, in the form of grants of up to $50,000 each.

The Clay County Commission says it won't be an "ATM machine" for Kansas City's bureaucracy. Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas says that shouldn’t be an issue.

Once a new constitution is drafted, voters will get the final say on changes to remake government in Clay County.

Proposition C supporters say changing the form of government will bring needed reform to the county while opponents say the problem is the current commissioners.