Clay County Update

Fireworks

Each year, there are questions about banning fireworks. That is one area where the county does have some authority. However, to ban fireworks, the order would have to be made before June 15th. Even then, only certain fireworks can be banned.

Fortunately, this year, we have been blessed with good rains. The pastures will still burn, though. I recommend that you find a community fireworks display and join in. Most have food, fun, and fellowship with a great show. Now more than ever, we need a sense of community as we celebrate 250 years of freedom!

I remember several years ago, a Wichita Falls city official recommended that, instead of shooting fireworks within the city limits, they be taken to the country during an interview. Don’t do that! Please don’t find a rural road and shoot off your bottle rockets. You absolutely must have the landowner's permission.

There is a list of community celebrations in the Clay County Leader to choose from. My priority includes finding one with homemade ice cream.

Pet Vaccinations

On Saturday, July 11, 2026, Dr. Miller and his crew will be stationed at the Bridge Street Annex, the former bank building at 210 North Bridge in Henrietta. Due to the heat, the clinic will open at 7:30 a.m. and close at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday. Dr. Miller said that if people are in line, they will be taken care of.

For the drive-through, enter the north end of the Bridge Street Annex parking lot. You can stay in your car while the Vet Staff treats your pet there. You will not be allowed to walk up to the Clinic table.

You can pay with cash, card, or check.

Data Centers Resolution

Last week, the Clay County Commissioners Court passed a resolution regarding data centers.

The Commissioners Court supports responsible economic development, including data center facilities. However, the Court formally opposes the use of open-loop evaporative cooling systems or other high-volume potable water-consuming technologies in large-scale data center facilities within Clay County and other water-constrained regions. The Court also opposes any data center development that fails to incorporate adequate safeguards to protect County resources and existing residents. The Court further states that support for additional data center development in the State of Texas should be conditioned on the implementation of comprehensive, enforceable safeguards to:

• Protect the electric grid's reliability and prevent cost burdens on residential, agricultural, and small-business ratepayers;

• Ensure responsible, sustainable, and transparent water-use practices;

• Protect agricultural lands, rangelands, wildlife habitats, and natural drainage systems by requiring careful site selection, avoiding prime farmland and ecologically sensitive areas where practicable, and implementing appropriate mitigation of habitat fragmentation and stormwater impacts;

• Prevent degradation of county roads, drainage systems, and other public infrastructure.

• Safeguard community welfare, public health, and environmental quality.

The bottom line is this: if Commissioner’s Court members loved data centers and wanted to bring one to Clay County, we can’t. Also, if we hate data centers, there is nothing we can do to keep them out. The only authority we have is over their septic tank.

One data center developer who attended a county forum recently told them, “We didn’t come here to ask your permission, we are just trying to be a part of the community.”

The only control a county has over a data center is the ability to abate a portion of its taxes. Only then do we have any say in noise, road use, water use, or light pollution. Help us focus attention on our legislature and governor to either take control or allow local communities to have authority through county regulations.