Former county manager will help with budget

 The Clay County Commissioners’ meeting went into closed session for 45 minutes Friday morning. They formally accepted County Manager Paul Leek’s resignation, agreed to widely advertise his position and hired Leek as an independent contractor to help prepare this fiscal year’s budget.

Leek gave a two-week notice when he announced that he is leaving the job he has held for nearly 15 years. He said he was accepting a new position carrying less stress and permitting more time for his family. However, he has not disclosed what it is.