Clay County, NC official website. Find all the information you need in one place. Clay County It's Good for the Soul Commissioner Dwight Penland, A Dedicated Public Servant, Passes Away It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of our dear colleague and friend, Commissioner Dwight Penland. Dwight dedicated more than 27 years to public service in Clay County — 19 of those as a County Commissioner and eight years on the Board of Education before that. He was a voice of reason and an unyielding advocate for our community, helping bring forward vital improvements including our new courthouse, Public Health Department, Department of Social Services an TVA Shooting Creek Project Information TVA Resolution Welcome to Clay County, North Carolina! Quick Links Job Postings Want to learn about new Job Postings for the County? Click the button below to see new job postings View Job Postings Directory Looking for more information from a specific department? We have quick links to contact all the county's departments View Directory News Stay up-to-date on the latest Clay County news Read the News Nixle Emergency Alerts Make sure you are registered for Clay County emergency alerts Sign Up Now VS Connects Safety Updates Public safety messages sent instantly to your phone from 911, Emergency Management, Sheriff, Fire and NCDOT Sign Up Now Commissioners Meeting Schedule Next Meeting: April 2, 2026 View the Schedule

Clay County Commission Meetings Regular Meeting The Board of Commissioners meetings are held in the multi-purpose room of the Clay County Courthouse located at 261 Courthouse Drive. Thursday, April 2, 2026 | 6:30pm | Multi-Purpose Room Meeting Agenda Jump to Minutes: 2026 | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 2026 Meeting Minutes 2026 2025 Meeting Minutes 2025 2024 Meeting Minutes 2024 2023 2023 Meeting Minutes 2022 2022 Meeting Minutes 2021 2021 Meeting Minutes 2020 2020 Meeting Minutes 2019 2019 Meeting Minutes 2018 2018 Meeting Minutes 2017 2017 Meeting Minutes

Board of Commissioners Dr. Robert Peck Chairman Mr. Randy Nichols Vice-Chairman Mr. Clay Logan Commissioner Mr. Scotty Penland Commissioner Mr. Dwight Penland Commissioner What is the responsibility of the Board of Commisssioners? Through its board of commissioners, Clay county exercises its powers and discharges its responsibilities. North Carolina General Statute 153A-12 states that "except as otherwise directed by law, each power, right, duty, function, privilege and immunity of the corporation [i.e., the county] shall be exercised by the board of commissioners." This statute goes on to say that if a power is 'conferred or imposed by law without direction or restriction as to how it is to be exercised or performed,' the power or responsibility shall be carried into execution as provided by ordinance or resolution of the board of commissioners." North Carolina counties are legal entities capable of holding and managing property and possessed of many powers conferred on them by law. Electing Board Members In North Carolina, each county has a board of commissioners. In Clay County, there are five elected Commissioners. Each are elected at large with residence requirements. All county commissioners are elected at the same time as members of the General Assembly and other state officers, which take place in elections held in the month of November in even-numbered years. Because the board members have staggered four-year terms and two-year terms, two of the county commissioners are elected at each general election. Newly elected commissioners take office on the first Monday in December following their election. There is no requirement that a person be nominated as the candidate of a political party in order to run for the office of County Commissioner Vacancies on the Board Members of the board of commissioners fill mid-term vacancies in the board by appointment. If the member who is leaving the board was originally elected as the nominee of a political party, the person appointed to fill the vacancy must be a member of the same political party. If the vacancy occurs in a two-year term or in the last two years of a four-year term, the appointment is for the remainder of the unexpired term. If the vacancy occurs in the first two years of a four-year term, the appointment runs only until the next general election when an election is held to fill the office for the remainder of the unexpired term. Occasionally, a board of commissioners finds itself deadlocked and unable to fill a vacancy. When a board of commissioners fails to fill a vacancy in its membership for 60 days, the clerk to the board of commissioners must report the vacancy to the clerk of superior court, who must fill the vacancy within 10 days after the day the vacancy is reported. The Constitution provides that public officers continue to hold office until their successors are chosen and qualified. Thus, a member of the board of commissioners who was defeated in the election or who chose not to seek re-election retains the office until the successor takes the oath. The Chairman of the Board The chairman of the Clay County board of commissioners is selected by the board itself. This board also chooses a vice-chairman to act in the absence or disability of the chairman. The chairman of the board presides at all meetings. By law, this official has the right and the duty to vote on all questions before the board unless excused by a standing rule of the board or by consent of the other board members. The chair is generally recognized by law as the chief executive officer of the county. He or she can call special meetings of the board, and can also declare states of emergency under the state laws governing riots and civil disorders. When are board meetings held? The board of commissioners meet regularly on the first Thursday of each month, starting at 6:30pm. The Chairman may call Special Meetings or Public Hearings, with appropriate notice being provided to the public. If members of the public wish to view minutes of previous meetings, these can be found by clicking on the button below, or they can be found at the Register of Deeds office or Clerk to the Board's office. Agendas are published prior to the meetings and can be found by clicking on the Agenda button below. 1/8 Current Agenda Minutes

It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of our dear colleague and friend, Commissioner Dwight Penland. Dwight dedicated more than 27 years to public service in Clay County — 19 of those as a County Commissioner and eight years on the Board of Education before that. He was a voice of reason and an unyielding advocate for our community, helping bring forward vital improvements including our new courthouse, Public Health Department, Department of Social Services and Department of Transportation facilities, along with the sheriff’s office, detention center, EMS building, 911 call center, recreation center, primary school, and Veterans Park. Last October, Dwight received North Carolina’s highest civilian honor, the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, in recognition of his decades of extraordinary service. That award captured exactly who he was: a selfless leader who always put Clay County first — quietly, steadily, and with genuine love for this place and its people. Beyond his official duties, Dwight was a true friend. We will miss his wise counsel, his steady presence on the Board, and the warmth of his friendship more than words can say. His selfless leadership set an example we will all strive to follow. In honor of Commissioner Penland’s remarkable service and lasting impact on our county, flags on all Clay County property will be flown at half-staff. On behalf of the entire Clay County Board of Commissioners and staff, our deepest condolences go out to his wife Sissie, children Jarrod and Jadrian, and the whole Penland family. May you find comfort in the countless lives he touched and the lasting legacy he leaves behind. Rest in peace, Dwight. Your service and friendship will never be forgotten. Dr. Rob Peck   Chairman   Clay County Board of Commissioners

See attached for the Rescinded Local State of Emergency for Clay County, NC.