Clay County Audited Financial Statements: June 30, 2021 Highlights Include: The assets and deferred outflows of resources of Clay County exceeded its liabilities and deferred inflows of resources at the close of fiscal year by $21,909,107 (net position) The government's total net position INCREASED by $1,291,871 Clay County's total debt outstanding DECREASED by $1,769,893 or 16.40% At the end of FY ending June 30, 2021, Clay County's government funds reported combined ending fund balances of $8,389,270 At the end of FY 2021, unassigned fund balance for the General Fund was $5,187,955 or 25 percent of total general fund expenditures for the fiscal year. Some of the items which have led to the increase in the counties net position were: Management's PROACTIVE stance on monitoring spending across county departments to ensure budget compliance Continued diligence in the collection of property taxes by maintaining a high collection percentage of nearly 98% with NO INCREASE IN NEW PROPERTY TAXES Consolidation of departments and facilities to gain efficiencies and reduce cost of operation Active and successful pursuit of grants for capital improvements and equipment to minimize local dollars. This marks the fifth consecutive year that Clay County has operated on a SURPLUS. This is consistent with our goal of eliminating deficit spending, decreasing debt service, aggressively pursuing delinquent taxes, and smaller and more efficient government. The above results are a testament to the Clay County Board of Commissioner's and County Management's commitment to success. Together we will continue to ensure fiscal responsibility and accountability.

Clay County presents Luminaries on the Lake, a drive-thru event for everyone to enjoy! There will be a live nativity and hot chocolate, along with a beautiful view of lights on Lake Chatuge. When: December 15, 2021 | 6:00p Where: Clay County Rec Park Campground 47 Clay Rec Park Road Hayesville, NC A live nativity will be provided by New Life Church Hot chocolate will be provided by Ledford's Chapel Church

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Clay County Board of Commissioners negotiates air ambulance agreement with AirMedCare, now ensuring coverage of all residents by both air ambulances serving Clay County. The Clay County Board of Commissioners initially approved an Air Methods Advantage Membership Agreement at a special meeting on Friday, April 20, 2018 as a means to provide an extension of our Emergency Medical Services to the citizens of Clay County. This agreement with Air Methods continues to be in place today. In fact, during the February 6, 2020 meeting of the Clay County Board of Commissioners, a mid-term report was provided by Marcus Lindsey, Account Executive with Air Methods Corporation, Air Life Georgia. The report dealt with our county’s Air Methods Community Partnership to provide medically necessary air medical transportation services to county residents and their respective household members at no additional out of pocket expense. There were 56 total air transports from June 1, 2019 through January 26, 2020. The amount saved by citizens on these services was $197,069.75. The cost to the county to cover these air transports was just under $12k. Air Methods Community Partnership (current model) annual cap amount is set at $26,587.50. Air Methods is one of two air medical transport providers serving Clay County, with the other being Life Force Air Medical, owned and operated by Erlanger Health System. Life Force is affiliated with the AirMedCare Network. We have been actively pursuing a similar agreement for nearly two years with AirMedCare to ensure all citizens are covered regardless of the air ambulance service utilized. After much negotiation, the BOCs at Thursday’s meeting unanimously agreed to enter into an agreement with AirMedCare which covers residents who are transferred from a pickup location in Clay, Cherokee, Towns or Union County for a cost to the county of $27,199.14. If not insured, residents will be billed at the “Medicare Allowable Rate”, a significant savings from the average cost of 30-50k+ per flight. While these agreements are not apples to apples, both offer significant enhancements to our emergency services at substantial savings to our citizens. We are extremely thankful for the opportunity to offer Clay County residents this service. The Clay County Board of Commissioners remain committed to expanding access to emergency, primary and specialty care to our communities.

The Clay County Department of Health and Human Services is pleased to announce their new Director of Social Services, Mr. Todd Goins. Todd has been with the agency since 2005. He began his career as a social worker in Child Protective Services and has served as a Child Welfare and Adult Services Supervisor since 2008. After advertising the position, the county is pleased to have the talent to promote from within. County Manager, Debbie Mauney, said, “Todd has been an asset to our agency for the past fifteen years. He leads with compassion and has a servant’s heart. He will continue to serve our community well.” Todd is a graduate of Furman University. He resides in Brasstown with his wife Beth. They have five children.

Parks & RECREATION TRUST FUND (PARTF) UPDATE To: CITIZENS OF CLAY COUNTY From: Debbie Mauney ~ County manager JERRY PAYNE ~ Clay County rec Director Subject: UPDATE & INPUT on PARTF Planning for the proposed sports complex CC: Clay County Board of Commissioners First and foremost, we would like to extend our sincere hopes that you are all healthy and well during this unprecedented time in not only our county’s history but that of our nation and world. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with our entire community during this difficult time. As you are well aware, through funding awarded from the Needs Based Public School Capital Fund Grant, Clay County is in the process of constructing a PreK through 2nd Grade school facility to replace a building constructed in the 1950s. While construction of the new building addresses a dire need within the community, it has, itself, created a serious need. The building site was previously the location of the county’s ball fields. Many of you have followed and been involved in the County’s quick response in stepping up to fill the great needs these losses created. The community has been kept abreast of all these developments through various outlets: Commissioner Meetings, the Clay County Progress, Facebook, emails and just good old-fashioned word of mouth. Out of sheer necessity, these projects have been on a fast track to meet the needs of our children and our entire community. Without these crucial places to exercise, gather and play, we face a serious loss. Knowing that the loss of these fields is detrimental, Clay County has secured funding for new ballfields and seeks to include a sports complex. This 3.2-million-dollar project will be completed in two phases. Phase I, which will address the ballfields, is already in the works. Phase II, will include the construction of a 100 x 125 multipurpose building which can be used for indoor batting practice; basketball; exercise classes and other sports activities for all ages. In addition to the recreational facility, a 16x125 open-air, covered picnic area will be attached to the side of the building. The covered open-air, picnic area has long been needed by those who use the fields, the playground and surrounding area and will add a new venue for the community to gather for meals, music, arts, crafts and other activities with cornhole and horseshoes available. Also, within the complex will be eight pickleball courts and a timber-framed pavilion with benches. The location of the proposed project is ideal in its proximity to the school, senior center and business district, making it easily accessible to all. During the planning of the Sports Complex, we were able to secure funding thorough the Dogwood Health Trust to pursue a PARTF grant. Again, as you are aware through informal discussions, the PARTF grant, if awarded to Clay County, will be used to help complete PHASE II of the Sports Complex. It will provide up to $500,000 in a dollar-for-dollar match to help us put into place our new recreational complex. This $500,000 will ensure that we have the type of high-quality facilities that are of benefit to everyone in our community for years to come. We are so excited to put this proposal together on behalf of Clay County. The PARTF grant is heavily geared towards community input for projects.Clay County has always subscribed to the same philosophy.We seek to have everyone involved in how our community grows and prospers.Due to the COVID-19 and the state’s limitation on public gatherings to combat the virus, we are bringing our public input to you via our website.Please feel free to respond with any questions or comments that you might have.Also, we would appreciate it if you would let us know that you are behind us as we proceed with the submission of this grant which will provide essential funding for this project.Please send your responses to our Recreation Director, Jerry Payne:jpayne@ClayNC.us.Thank you so much for investing your time in our shared future!We strive to be good stewards of the resources that are entrusted to us and want to stretch every dollar that we can to meet the needs of our citizenry.

Clay County's budget for FY 2020 - 2021 has been submitted to the Board of Commissioners and a copy is available for public inspection in the office of the Clerk to the Board, 345 Courthouse Dr. Suite 1, Hayesville, NC 28904. The Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing on the budget at 6:30 pm, June 15, 2020 in the multi purpose room of the Clay County Courthouse located at 261 Courthouse Drive, Hayesville, NC 28904.

February 3, 2022 | 6:45 pm Multi-Purpose Room of the Clay County Courthouse 251 Courthouse Drive, Hayesville NC 28904 The Clay County Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing on February 3, 2022 at 6:45 pm in the multi-purpose room of the Clay County courthouse located at 261 Courthouse Drive, Hayesville, North Carolina. The purpose of this public hearing is to receive public input on the proposed moratorium regarding crypto mining in Clay County. All interested parties are invited to present comments at the public hearing regarding the same.

February 3, 2022 | 6:45 pm Multi-Purpose Room of the Clay County Courthouse 251 Courthouse Drive, Hayesville NC 28904 The Clay County Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing on February 3, 2022 at 6:45 pm in the multi-purpose room of the Clay County courthouse located at 261 Courthouse Drive, Hayesville, North Carolina. The purpose of this public hearing is to receive public input on an amendment to the residential park development ordinance to clarify that recreational vehicles which are in place for more than 180 days shall be treated as mobile homes and be taxed as such and to ratify the prior amendments to the ordinance which further defined structures built on a campground and extended the time to submit plans to the planning board to July 1, 2022. All interested parties are invited to present comments at the public hearing regarding the same.

Clay County's budget for FY 2021-2022 has been submitted to the Board of Commissioners and a copy is available for public inspection in the office of the Clerk to the Board, 345 Courthouse Dr., Suite 1, Hayesville, NC 28904. The Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing on the budget at 6:45 pm, June 17, 2021 in the multi purpose room of the Clay County Courthouse located at 261 Courthouse Drive, Hayesville, NC 28904.

On Monday, June 15, 2020 Clay County Commissioners unanimously approved the FY 2020-2021 Budget. The budget is balanced in accordance with the Local Government Budget and Fiscal Control Act with general fund revenues and expenditures each totaling $20,030,789.18. The tax rate remains unchanged at .43 mils per $100 of value. As a result of previously implemented sound fiscal controls and strong budgetary policies, Commissioners were able to approve a budget which meets the needs of the county while minimizing the tax burden on the citizens. Highlights of the budget include the following: -$1,644,799.00 dollars allocated to the Clay County Board of Education. This is an increase in $94,799.00 from FY19/20 and a $273,790.00 increase from FY18/19. -Debt service reduced from $2,151,580.00 in FY19/20 to $2,089,274.00, a decrease of $62,306.00. -Cost of Living Adjustment for all Clay County Employees in the amount of 3.0% and an increase in retirement contributions from 9.02% to 10.23%. These increases show Leadership’s ongoing commitment to the retention and recruitment of superior employees to serve our citizens. -$2,932,972.73 allocated to the Sheriff’s Office, an increase of $134,963.73 from FY19/20 with an additional $100,000.00 allocated to the department for capital improvements resulting in a net increase in appropriations of $234,963.73 from last year. This represents an 8.4% increase and shows our continued commitment to public safety! Of additional note, from our first budget in 2015/2016 to current, BOCs have increased appropriations to the Sheriff’s Department by $905,160.04 or 42%. During the upcoming fiscal year, Clay County will continue to aggressively pursue grants for capital projects and program costs to help keep local tax dollars to a minimum. Since October of 2019 we have received $486,381.60 in grant awards with another $5.3M in awards pending. This includes the potential award of $4.8M for a new 911 Facility. This fiscal year, we will see the completion of our state of the art, age appropriate Primary School and Clay County Sports Complex. Currently, renovations have begun on our Senior Center. This year, additional emphasis will be placed on our aging population with upgraded facilities, enhanced meal delivery, and increased activities for seniors. This will include further development of our newly created Community Paramedic Program which will provide in home services, increasing access to care while decreasing costly and often unnecessary 911 calls and emergency room visits. Replacing, updating and expanding critical infrastructure, such as broadband and water/sewer, will be a priority as we further develop our capital improvement plans and look to entice further economic development. The Clay County Board of Commissioners is thankful for the opportunity to serve and will continue to provide fiscally responsible leadership for the citizens of Clay County.

The Clay County Water & Sewer Board will hold a public hearing on June 17, 2021, at 6:30 pm in the multi-purpose room of the Clay County Courthouse located at: 261 Courthouse Drive Hayesville, North Carolina The purpose of the meeting is to receive public input on the proposed 2021-2022 fiscal year budget.

The Clay County Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing on June 24, 2021, at 6:30 pm in the multi-purpose room of the Clay County Courthouse located at 261 Courthouse Drive, Hayesville, North Carolina. The purpose of the meeting is to receive public input on amending ordinances concerning land use planning & development regulation in compliance with G.S. 160 D. ​The Clay County Water & Sewer Board will hold a public hearing on June 24, 2021, at 6:30 pm in the multi-purpose room of the Clay County Courthouse located at 261 Courthouse Drive, Hayesville, North Carolina. The purpose of the meeting is to receive public input on the amendment for water & sewer allocation ordinance.