Convene
Presiding Commissioner Bill Walker called the meeting of the Nodaway County Commission to order at 8:00 a.m. on May 28, 2026 at the Commissioner’s Office. Present: Walker, Chris Burns and Scott Walk. Also present: Lorraine O’Donnell, part-time 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 5/26/26. Burns seconded the motion. The motion passed by vote: Walker (Yes); Burns (Yes); Walk (Yes.)
Approved: Invoice to Gray Oil, Advanced Auto Parts and ProServe. Liquor licenses for KKMG Business Services 2 LLC dba 420 Cigarettes Beer & Spirits; Elks Lodge #760.
Accounts Payable: N/A
Requisitions: Road and Bridge to Allen Ready Concrete for bridge concrete.
Reviewed: The Commission reviewed the following information received by mail or email:
Email from citizen on proposed data center
Advertisement from Bob Lakowski on Tank Shell Culverts
Public Comment – Josh McKim, Nodaway County Economic Development (NCED) discussed enrollment concerns at Northwest Missouri State University tied to the proposed data center. Mike Hardy questioned the Commissions specific role and decision making in relation to the proposed data center. Walker stated a county’s main role would be to control taxes. Burns explained to those present what research had been completed to date while Walk discussed that the land purchased was sold by private land owners to a private business. Water consumption will rely on water provided by the City of Maryville. Susie Strauch stated she opposes the proposed data center and feel it will ruin the local environment. Strauch asked if the county had a moratorium in place yet. The Commissioners responded that they have consulted an attorney an do not have an answer as to the legality of this at this time. Jennifer Gillespie also opposes the proposed project and questioned how big it will be and will it grow over time. The Commission assured the group they are doing what they can legally. Carter Strauch stated he appreciated the efforts the Commissioners are putting in and understood the legality of the proposed project. Chris Wallace stated a meeting with Governor Kehoe will include a short course on what AI data centers provide and what they need to operate. Wallace will share an email with the Commission. The Commission reiterated that Scale Microgrids is the developer of the project, not the end owner/operator. It is believed that they will sell the proposed data center, but there has been no information shared on who will purchase. George Null questioned the Commission on tax abatements. No abatements have been requested nor granted at this time.
Clean Fill – Responded to an email from a local resident with questions about where to take clean fill items.
State of Emergency Inspections – The Commission, along with Brian Engle, Road and Bridge Supervisor, inspected Route F, North of Road #616 for a line down, a tube issue on Road #626 in Polk Township; an abandoned trailer on Road #257 in Jackson Township; tube issues on Roads #188, #197 and #198 all in Independence Township.
Jackson Township – The Commissioners contacted Jeff Meyer, Jackson Township Trustee regarding concerns with an abandoned trailer on Road #257.
Polk Township – Took a call from a resident regarding a plugged tube on 220th Street in Polk Township. The Commission will inspect and make recommendations.
Lunch Break – Walk made a motion to adjourn for lunch. Burns seconded the motion. All in favor.
Nathan Willett – The Commission attended a meet and greet for Nathan Willett, candidate for U.S. Congress, District #6.
Closed Session – Burns made a motion to go into closed session at 2:30 p.m. per 610.021(3) RSMo. Walk seconded the motion. Walker (Yes); Burns (Yes); Walk (Yes). Motion carries. Also in attendance, Robin Clark, Deputy Clerk for Payroll.
(610.021. Closed meetings and closed records authorized when, exceptions. — Except to the extent disclosure is otherwise required by law, a public governmental body is authorized to close meetings, records and votes, to the extent they relate to the following: (3) Hiring, firing, disciplining or promoting of particular employees by a public governmental body when personal information about the employee is discussed or recorded. However, any vote on a final decision, when taken by a public governmental body, to hire, fire, promote or discipline an employee of a public governmental body shall be made available with a record of how each member voted to the public within seventy-two hours of the close of the meeting where such action occurs; provided, however, that any employee so affected shall be entitled to prompt notice of such decision during the seventy-two-hour period before such decision is made available to the public. As used in this subdivision, the term "personal information" means information relating to the performance or merit of individual employees.)
Burns made a motion to go back to open session at 3:11. Walk seconded the motion. Walker (Yes); Burns (Yes); Walk (Yes). Motion carries.
Adjournment – Walk made a motion to commission adjourn until 6/2/2026. Burns seconded the motion. The motion passed by vote: Walker (Yes); Burns (Yes); Walk (Yes).
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