Clay County is preparing to replace its morethan- 20-year-old tax collection software as officials work toward a new system for the 2027 tax year.

Clay County commissioners recently unanimously approved a 66-month agreement with DevNet Inc. to replace the county’s current tax collection software with a system expected to begin handling collections for the 2027 tax year.

The agreement is expected to cost about $1.59 million over five and a half years, with $550,575 covering the initial 18-month period, including software installation, data migration and implementation.

Administrative Services Director DeEtta Jacobs explained the county began seeking new tax collection software in February, receiving five responses before narrowing the field to two companies. Each finalist provided a four-hour demonstration, and county staff visited Missouri counties using each system to see the software in day-to-day operation.

The review committee, which included senior staff and elected officials, conside…