The future of Clay County’s operation of the Jesse James Bank Museum is under review after parks officials recommended ending the county’s lease amid ongoing deficits and rising rent.

Clay County Parks Director John Davis recently presented commissioners with a recommendation to provide the required 90-day notice to terminate the lease, with the goal of ending the county’s operation of the museum Dec. 31. Commissioners took no action on the proposal, instead directing County Administrator Damon Hodges to gather additional information before the issue returns for further consideration.

The county operates the museum in a privately owned building and covers rent, staffing, electricity, maintenance, supplies and other operating expenses. According to county documents, Clay County owns little of the museum’s collection and receives no long-term ownership benefit from money invested in the property.

Davis explained the county instead owns three historic sites, the Jesse James Farm, Mount Gilea…