Nodaway County Commission Minutes for May 14th, 2026

Convene

Presiding Commissioner Bill Walker called the meeting of the Nodaway County Commission to order at 8:00 a.m. on May 14, 2026 at the Commissioner’s Office. Present: Walker, Chris Burns and Scott Walk. Also present: Melinda Patton, County Clerk.

Approval of Agenda and Prior Minutes

Commissioner Burns made a motion to approve the agenda as presented. Walk seconded the motion. The motion passed by vote: Walker (Yes); Burns (Yes); Walk (Yes.) Walk made a motion to approve prior commission minutes dated 5/12/26. Burns seconded the motion. The motion passed by vote: Walker (Yes); Burns (Yes); Walk (Yes.)

Approved: Liquor License for Backyard Vine & Wine; Backyard Vine & Wine Caterer’s License; Rick’s Country Shoppe & Woldruff Fencing; Bearcat Lanes; Dueces Wild, Inc. dba A&G Restaurant and Bar. Invoices to Jackson County Medical Examiner’s Office, Falls City Mercantile and Thomas Lawn Care. Increase of $776 to Geis Peterbilt-Kansas City on a Road and Bridge contracted Model 567 Tractor Trailer for a fuel surcharge and component increase.

Accounts Payable: Checks #88011-88013

Requisitions: NA

Reviewed: The Commission reviewed the following information received by mail or email:

Sheriff Inmate Report (April 2026)

Road and Bridge Fuel and Equipment report

Proposed Data Center – Concerned citizens met with the Commission to discuss their concerns with a proposed data center being built in Nodaway County. Jacquelyn (Kim) Swyers reported on jobs eliminated due to AI. Holly Caviness questioned jobs created. According to the White Cloud Acres website, they will have 77 direct onsite jobs. Caviness questioned if the Commissioners were planning a Town Hall style meeting prior to the Open House scheduled on June 3, 2026 at Mozingo Visitors Center and if they would deny any Tax Abatements. Swyers suggested the Commission consider surety bonds, which the county did with the wind projects. Carter Strauch reported on Leavenworth County, KS invoking a moratorium and if the county is considering. Strauch is concerned with potential well water issues, corporations taking over, loss of freedoms and environmental impact on farm ground. Also present: Josh McKim and Kim Mildward, Nodaway County Economic Development (NCED).

Reviewed an email from Dan Hageman, Evergy on Data Center Facts and FAQs and Evergy’s Large Load Power Service and emails from citizens. Patton reported on progress with Open Records requests received.

Collector/Treasurer – Sally Duff, Collector/Treasurer reported to the Commission that a credit card for travel/training expenses had been requested for their office.

BRO-R074(65) Bridge – Completed a Construction Progress Reporting Survey online that was sent by the U.S. Department of Commerce; U.S. Census Bureau Division.

Building Maintenance – Brett McLain, Northwest AV stopped in to get a timeline on the ceiling for the third-floor conference room. A call was put in to David Sullivan, Nettles Construction Solutions regarding the curtain wall acoustical rating.

Polk Township – Spoke with a property owner regarding Cypress Drive concerns. Referred to Polk Township Trustee John Schenkel.

Lunch Break – Burns made a motion to adjourn for lunch. Walk seconded the motion. All in favor.

Soft Match Credits – The Commission spoke with Curt Livengood, Atchison County Presiding Commissioner regarding a request for soft match credit trade. Nodaway County Commissioners agreed to trade $100,000 of credit for $.65 on the dollar. A contract was sent to Atchison County Commissioners for signature.

Joint Legal Services – The Commission joined an introductory TEAMS meeting led by William “Bill” Hof and Charles Renner, attorneys with Husch Blackwell on the proposed joint legal services with the City of Maryville, Public Water Supply District #1 (PWSD #1) and the county. This meeting was to discuss terms and payments and contribution agreement amongst the three entities. No Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has been signed to date between the three. Also on the call were Ryan Heiland, City of Maryville City Manager and Matt Smith, City of Maryville Public Works Director. Not available for the call: a representative of PWSD #1.

Kiewit Power Constructors Co. – Received an email from Andrew Bittner, Project Engineer (Evergy Mullin Creek Generating Station) with a draft Road Use Agreement. A preliminary review of the draft was done, but tabled for Tuesday to review further.

Verizon – Spoke with Darlene Serrano, Senior Government Account Manager with the Illinois/Missouri division regarding new phone lines.

Adjournment – Walk made a motion to commission adjourn until 5/19/2026. Burns seconded the motion. The motion passed by vote: Walker (Yes); Burns (Yes); Walk (Yes.)