Record: 5-19

By Phil Cobb | May 19, 2026 |

COMMISSION MINUTES

The Nodaway County Commission met on Tuesday, May 5.

In attendance were Presiding Commissioner Bill Walker, North District Commissioner Chris Burns, South District Commissioner Scott Walk, and Melinda Patton, county clerk.

Business before the governing board included:

• Requisitions and approvals: Recorder Fee Report (April 2026); Invoice to Coenen Enterprises, Inc.

• The commission reviewed the following information received by mail or email: Missouri Life Magazine email;Legal emails; Sunshine Requests from Amy Gessert and Holly Caviness; Senate Bill 937 updates.

• Concerned citizens met with the commission to discuss their concerns with the possibility of a data center being built in Nodaway County. Offering comments: Jennifer Gillespie, Jeff From, Roger Frueh, Jacquelyn (Kim) Swyers, Mary Strauch, Robin Gallaher, Donna Tompkins and Heidi Klamm. Also present: Jesse Stark, Sheridan Express, Josh McKim, Nodaway County Economic Development, Captain Seth Rucker, Sally Duff, collector/treasurer, Lisa James, recorder.

• Reviewed Continental Fire Sprinkler Company’s report of Inspection/Test of the Administration Center.

• Brian Engle, road and bridge supervisor, updated the commissioners on crew activity. A plan to visit Bridge #164 in Hopkins Township was set for Thursday afternoon at 1:00.

• Spoke with Mark Rush, Jackson Township operator on pricing for rock.

• The commission, along with Engle, inspected Road #120 in Union Township.

• Left a message for Michael Turner, Ashburn District Supervisor in Loudoun County, Virgina regarding data center. Sent an email to Dan Scheffler, Scale Microgrid, to pinpoint a date for an open forum. Sent an email to county attorney Travis Elliott.

The Nodaway County Commission met on Thursday, May 7.

In attendance were Presiding Commissioner Bill Walker, North District Commissioner Chris Burns, and Melinda Patton, county clerk. Not present: South District Commissioner Scott Walk (attending MAC and CCAM meetings.)

Business before the governing board included:

• Requisitions and approvals: Liquor License for Burny’s Just One More, LLC. Sheriff to Haug Communications, Inc. for equipment; Road and Bridge to C. Swinford for uniform reimbursement.

• The commission reviewed the following information: Annual Training Certificates for Lori Burns, Public Administrator and Ann Stiens, Deputy Public Administrator. American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) report submitted (April 1, 2025-March 31, 2026)

• Larry Jacobson, Snyder and Associates, stopped to deliver the Semi-Final Inspection (Form C-236LPA0 from Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT). The commission reviewed and signed the LPA Services Invoice No 19 (Final) and Snyder & Associates Invoice No. 14 (Final), Final Acceptance letter, Project Close Out document and Final List of Acceptance Testers document all on BRO-R074(64).

• Tim Hatfield, representing the Finance Committee with Nodaway County Economic Development (NCED), spoke regarding the status of the Expo Center (Fair Ground project) and gave an update on SB937. Also present: Jesse Stark, Sheridan Express, Josh McKim, NCED, Nancy Zeliff, Carter Strauch, Holly Caviness and Vicki Cook.

• Concerned citizens met with the commission to discuss their concerns with the possibility of a data center being built in Nodaway County. Zeliff gave information on the possible conflict with Nodaway County’s AgriReady status and asked both commissioners and McKim to comment. Strauch questioned environmental concerns with water source and emissions and asked if a prioritization policy would be set up. Cook questioned if an independent environmental impact assessment has been or will be done. Caviness inquired on a contact for Public Service Commission, county charter information and Planning and Zoning for Nodaway County. Also present: Kim Mildward, NCED, Stark, McKim and Hatfield.

• A call was made to Madison Woodward requesting a copy of the J-turn map be emailed to the commissioners for the Evergy Mullin Creek generation station project.

• The Nodaway County BRO-074 (001) project, involving the replacement of Bridge No. 0877014 on Eagle Road, is currently in the design phase and is scheduled for construction in 2027. Eagle Road is expected to be closed for up to three months during construction.

• The Nodaway County BRO-074 (002) project, involving the replacement of Bridge No. 0009010 on 110th Street, is currently in the design phase and is scheduled for construction in 2027. 110th Street is expected to be closed for up to three months during construction.

• After closed session, an offer of employment was extended to hire Bryce Trimble for the open Road and Bridge II position. Trimble accepted.

• A survey was presented to Larry Jacobson, Snyder and Associates, on construction progress reporting for BRO-R074(65) Bridge.

• County Assessor Rex Wallace discussed equipment purchase for his office. Due to a printer/copier breakdown, a new one will be purchased outright through ProServ for $7,995 with a yearly maintenance contract.

• Patton submitted for review, expense/revenue and employee leave reports for April.

• Dan Scheffler, Scale Microgrid, responded to the email request for open forum with a tentative date of June 3, 2026 pending location confirmation. County attorney Travis Elliott, Ellis, Ellis, Hammond and Johnson, P.C. responded to the request to review a Sunshine Request. A response was drafted to an email from Ryan Heiland regarding setting up a virtual meeting with Husch Blackwell regarding next steps and initial questions. Husch Blackwell is the attorney that will be retained to jointly represent Nodaway County, City of Maryville and Public Water Supply District (PWSD) No. 1 of Nodaway County pending a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU.)

• The commission, along with Engle, inspected Bridge #164 in Hopkins Township and Road #746, #743, #749 all in White Cloud Township.