Convene
Presiding Commissioner Bill Walker called the meeting of the Nodaway County Commission to order at 8:00 a.m. on June 2, 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 5/28/26. Burns seconded the motion. The motion passed by vote: Walker (Yes); Burns (Yes); Walk (Yes.) Burns made a motion to approve closed session commission minutes dated 5/28/26. Walk seconded the motion. The motion passed by vote: Walker (Yes); Burns (Yes); Walk (Yes.)
Approved: Liquor licenses for Highway 136 Roadhouse, LLC; AI & A Petroleum, LLC dba Finish Line. Invoice to Oden Enterprises, LLC. Recorder Fee Report (May 2026.) Invoices from Sleek Creek HVAC, LLC.
Accounts Payable: N/A
Requisitions: Road and Bridge to Gray Oil for fuel; Commission to John Sportsman for building maintenance.
Reviewed: The Commission reviewed the following information received by mail or email:
Emails from citizen on proposed data center
Opioid Settlement (Secondary Manufacturers)
Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) Road Closures
2023-26 Interest Statement
Update on legal from T. Elliott (Senate Bill 3)
Email from Jacob A. Wood, Chief of Staff to the President, Northwest Missouri State University re: Workforce Impact & Recognitions (Spring 2026)
Public Comment – Jeff From shared (via email) some information on what the requirements are for a moratorium. The Commissioners had not all had a chance to review but planned to share with the county attorney. From stated that if a moratorium were possible, that’s when the real work will begin.
Tim Schafer questioned if the Commissioners were serious about the moratorium and what the current status is. Burns shared that we are waiting to hear back from the attorney who is looking into the legal issues and feasibility of the process. Schafer shared concerns with low-level sounds regarding livestock and environment (i.e. honeybees impacted). Also has ground water concerns for his livestock.
Susie Strauch had questions on a couple of roadways that are under construction or future construction. Strauch brought up that several groups (South Nodaway senior class, Barnard Community Betterment) had received money donations from Scale Microgrids. Shared concerns with where workers on the proposed project would live while the project is being constructed, that the North side of 340 Street is possibly going to be purchased, why we need so many data centers and taking our crop ground, regulations on steel products from China. The Commission stated that state/federal projects have to follow certain stipulations on where steel is purchased from, but on a private project, they may not. Regulations on projects will be discussed when the opportunity arises. Tax abatements were brought up again. The Commission reviewed that Abatements or a Community Impact Agreement would be discussed if the company wanted them. This would be a way to be able to distribute the funds throughout the county. The Commission discussed appraised value of property versus assessed values of property and how these are taxed. Strauch also discussed health concerns she and her neighbors have.
Donna Tompkins asked about permitting for soil samples and water samples. She has not been able to find where they have had to get any. Commissioners reminded the group that since Nodaway County does not have Planning and Zoning, no permitting would be needed. If the landowner is okay with them drilling for sampling, then it can be done. Department of Natural Resources (DNR) may require permitting. Tompkins asked about water reserves in Andrew County that was in the May 19, 2026 minutes and if they are willing to sell that water. The Commission stated that it has been an option for a long time. Questions on water have been directed to Public Water Supply District #1. Tompkins asked about the Environmental Review process, Missouri Department of Conservation, National Environment Policy Act as projects go through permitting and do a heritage survey to recognize and take care of the environment.
Eric Zimmerman shared concerns regarding resources being used up, future jobs being promised that don’t seem to be there, impact on communities and data centers becoming obsolete. Projects would have to be updated, which means personal property is taxed on the new equipment. Zimmerman questioned if the county would really get sued if they issued a moratorium if the company knew the community was against it? The Commission stated that a moratorium is tied to an ordinance and needs to be done correctly. A moratorium cannot be issued just to delay a project but has to be set to gain specific information and not set the county up for a lawsuit.
Mike Hardy shared a statistic that 70% of America right now is saying “no” as the projects are not as good as they are selling. Tompkins questioned what would happen if there is a fire? This is on the list of questions the Commissioners have been working on. Rhonda Beattie asked what would happen in the event the usefulness of this expires. The Commission stated they would put decommissioning would be something they would look to put in the contract. Tompkins asked if a contract would still be followed if it is sold? The Commission discussed the contracts in place with the wind projects and how the contracts followed when they sold. The public meeting to be held on June 3, 2026 will hopefully give all community members more information. Burns stated that he had read that 70% of these projects do not come to fruition. He talked about needing public assistance IF Planning and Zoning could be put in place in Nodaway County. This would not stop this proposed project but could keep another from coming in. Also present during portions of the discussion: Danny McEnany, Carolyn Hardy and Sally Duff, Collector/Treasurer.
A citizen dropped off a letter to the editor: Candid answers to questions about AI form the Missouri Farmer Today, May 23, 2026 edition as well as a typed letter to the editor written by Rita Boucher of Nodaway County.
BRO Bridges – Reviewed a status update email from Great River Engineering on BRO projects 003 and 004 and other bridges. Reviewed and signed Reimbursement Request #7 on BRO-R074(003), Reimbursement Request #9 on BRO-R074(001) and Reimbursement Request #9 on BRO-R074(002).
Soft match – Reviewed an email from Madison Woodward, Transportation Planner, MoDOT NW District regarding soft match balance. Current balance is $1,205,811.23.
Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) – Following a call to Woodward for direction, the Commission reviewed and signed Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act 2026 (FFATA Form 1590) on all BRO projects as well as the previously completed Transportation Advisory Program (TAP) grant project.
State of Emergency Inspections –Commissioner Walk gave updates on meeting with FEMA on Monday, June 1st. The Commissioners worked to pull together pictures and locations sent by Township officials. Mark Rush, Jackson Township operator stopped in to discuss damages and share pictures.
Building Maintenance – Reviewed and signed Preventative Maintenance Agreement from Johnson Controls Fire Protection LP. Discussed Administration Building roof leaks.
Lunch Break – Walk made a motion to adjourn for lunch. Burns seconded the motion. All in favor.
Higginbotham Insurance – The Commission met with Casey Chastain to do a mid-year review of insurance. Chastain also shared a donation of $1,500 from the Communities that Care fund through the Community Foundation of the Ozarks, to be used towards clothing for children in need. Also present: Sheriff Austin Hann.
Sheriff’s Department – Hann discussed selling a vehicle to Worth County. The Commission discussed value of the vehicle and gave permission to explore the sale. Hann discussed where the revenues would be placed in the budget and how to pull for a future vehicle purchase.
Closed Session – Attorney Travis Elliott, Ellis, Ellis, Hammond and Johnson, PC contacted the Commission via email to set up a call time. Burns made a motion to go into closed session at 2:29 p.m. per 610.021(1) RSMo. Walk seconded the motion. Walker (Yes); Burns (Yes); Walk (Yes). Motion carries. Burns made a motion to go back to open session at 10:10. Walk seconded the motion. Walker (Yes); Burns (Yes); Walk (Yes). Motion carries.
Joint Legal Services – The Commission discussed the option to enter into an agreement with the City of Maryville and Public Water Supply District #1 on legal services regarding the proposed data center. The Commission had previously verbally agreed to this, however a phone call with representatives of Husch Blackwell gave the Commission information to discuss. As no contract had been signed, the Commissioners agreed the county would be better served if they had their own legal representation. Burns made a motion to go with their own council. Walk seconded the motion. Walker (Yes); Burns (Yes); Walk (Yes). Motion carries. Calls were put into Ryan Heiland, City Manager for the City of Maryville, Brock Pfost, board member of PWSD #1 and Dean Adwell, PWSD #1 Board President.
Adjournment – Walk made a motion to commission adjourn until 6/4/2026. Burns seconded the motion. The motion passed by vote: Walker (Yes); Burns (Yes); Walk (Yes.)
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