Big Changes Ahead: Clark County Ramps Up Roads, Revamps Courthouse and Certifies New Prosecutor Role

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KAHOKA, Mo. — From bumpy backroads to ballot boxes, Clark County is on the move.

Over the past month, the Clark County Commission has paved the way— literally and figuratively—for sweeping updates that touch nearly every corner of local government. Whether it’s courthouse renovations, critical road work or a major change in how justice is served, commissioners are ushering in a wave of transformation.

At the top of the agenda was the August 5 special election, where voters gave a green light to two key initiatives: creating a full-time prosecuting attorney position starting in 2027 and enacting a half-cent sales tax to support jail operations. The commission certified the results just a week later, following a public interview with WGEM.

Commissioners Steven H. Krueger, Timothy Harper and Joseph B. Humes haven’t slowed down since. They’ve signed off on tax levies for the coming year, finalized the closure of Goodyear and Pine streets in Medill, and voted to switch the county’s health insurance broker.

The courthouse itself is getting a facelift. On August 28, the commission approved an $8,800 bid to install automatic, handicap-accessible doors— an upgrade officials say is long overdue.

“This is about accessibility and modernization,” said Presiding Commissioner Krueger. “The work starts immediately.”

Beyond the courthouse walls, infrastructure dominated discussions. The Missouri Department of Transportation met with the commission to outline potential 2026 projects on Routes K, W, P and Z. One proposal would see the county trade Route P for Business 136 to streamline maintenance. Commissioners also pushed for vehicle counters, turn-lane expansions and better signage at key intersections like Highway 136 and 81.

Bridges are also on the radar. A recent MODOT report flagged 10 of the county’s 119 bridges as being in poor condition— making them eligible for grant funding. Work is already underway on Bridge 407, and officials expect to address other problem areas, including Roads 208 and 409, in the near future.

Meanwhile, county roads are seeing steady attention. From gravel grading to drainage tubes, commissioners responded to maintenance calls from residents across the region, including Medill, Wayland and Winchester.

The commission also made moves on the administrative side, approving bylaws for the Clark County Sheltered Workshop and solidifying a .05 property tax levy to support its operations—while keeping rates stable for senior tax credit participants under Ordinance 06-2025.

And while the search continues for a new circuit judge—a vacancy that prompted outreach to the governor’s office—the commission remains focused on keeping county operations on track.