LET’S WORK
TOGETHER
My name is Kevin O’Kelley, and I am running for a seat on the Clay County Board of Commissioners. My wife Samantha and I moved to Vermillion 12 years ago to be closer to her parents, and we love our community. We very much enjoy the spirit of volunteerism and citizen involvement in Clay County. I want to pitch in and do as much as I can to nurture this unique and wonderful place we call home.
If elected,
I will focus on
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Community Engagement
Making sure public, business, and organizational stakeholders can participate meaningfully in county decision making
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Vision for the Future
Creating a future of Clay County that is wisely managed using the guidelines of the county and city comprehensive plans
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Public Safety
Utilizing my long history in public safety to enhance the opening of our new law enforcement center, as well as safe transportation planning that respects and protects all modes of travel
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Collaboration and Care
Collaborating to achieve success. I really care about Clay County, and am willing to work hard (with you) to take care of our present needs, and to guide us into the future.
Clay County and the City of Vermillion have very similar plans to manage future growth. Both want to encourage economic development, increase housing opportunities, and create additional outdoor open spaces for the public, all while maintaining the agricultural nature of our rural land and communities. However, with two separate organizations charged with overseeing this growth, that can lead to some headaches. The city and county naturally have different zoning and building codes, and they may complicate an individual’s business or development goals. This can create awkward obstacles to the growth we want and to where we want it. Having served on the city’s planning and zoning commission and on the Joint Jurisdiction Task Force, I am well prepared to help address such issues.
The Clay County Board of Commissioners does far more than zoning, though. We oversee elections, plan and deal with emergencies of all types, we maintain our roads, bridges and culverts, manage our Sheriff’s Office, jail and courts, and fulfill other functions needed in our community. I have recently retired as an administrator at the University of South Dakota, and managing multiple programs is exactly what I have done in my career. I am devoting my time now to public service, and I believe this is where my experience and talents will most benefit my home and yours. I am happy to work, and I am asking for your support this November.