Record: 6-5
COMMISSION MINUTES
The Nodaway County Commission met Tues., May 19.
In attendance were Presiding Commissioner Bill Walker, North District Commissioner Chris Burns, South District Commissioner Scott Walk, and Melinda Patton, county clerk, morning; and Angie Cordell, deputy clerk, afternoon.
Business before the governing board included:
• Requisitions and approvals: Liquor License for MFA Petroleum Company dba Break Time #3111; timothy J. and Kellie J. Holtman dba Holtman Oil Company; Caseys General Store #3786, #3430 and #2469; Hy-Vee, Inc. dba Hy-Vee Food Store and Hy-Vee Fast and Fresh; Geocken Enterprises, LLC dba Planet Sub; M&M Pub & Grub, LLC. Clerk Fee Report (April 2026.) Inventory Disposal form. Road and Bridge to Gray Oil & Gasoline Company, Inc. for diesel fuel; County Clerk to Liberty Vote for annual licensing and warranty on election equipment; Commission to MTE for time-block purchase for 2026.
• The commission reviewed the following information: White Cloud Township Financial Statement; Email from nodawaycountytransparencyteam re: Jail misconduct concern; Email from Matthew Stine, Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) with an updated J-Turn layout
• Burns reported that a call from Christy Forney, Nodaway County Emergency Manager was taken last night regarding closing Highway 71 North of Clearmont due to flooding. Forney requested the commissioners and Road and Bridge to report any storm damage to the State for gravel, culverts, bridges, etc.
• Concerned citizens met with the commission to discuss their concerns with a proposed data center being built in Nodaway County. Jeff From shared a Due Diligence report via email with an Executive Summary supplied today. From is interested in the commissioners doing an independent study examination. Anna Teale discussed her concerns that questions are not being answered. The commissioners responded to the question of a moratorium being implemented. Nodaway County Commission is working with an attorney on the feasibility of enacting a moratorium. A moratorium cannot be enacted as a delay tactic, but must have a defined reason. The commission also discussed the thought process behind abatements. Due to no Planning and Zoning in unincorporated Nodaway County, tax abatements may be put in place to have some control over outcomes. Mary (Susie) Strauch reiterated her concerns with potential well water issues, environmental toxins and how the company coming in will make their money. Walk reviewed a discussion he had via phone with Mike Turner, Ashburn District Supervisor in Loudoun County, Virginia, that has over 200 data centers in their area. Also present: Amy Skidmore, Vicki Cook, Josh McKim, Nodaway County Economic Development (NCED), Jesse Stark, Sheridan Express and mid-way through, Sally Duff, collector/treasurer.
County resident Rita Boucher dropped off an opinion piece written by Trent Loos, that was published in the High Plains Journal dated March 31, 2026.
• Sally Duff, collector/treasurer presented the Form #205
• Walker reported leak issues in both the sheriff and juvenile office space. A message was left for Jason Brown Roofing.
• John White, board member of Hopkins Township, stopped in to request the commissioners and Brian Engle, road and bridge supervisor inspect Road #173 for water on the road/washing gravel off the road.
• The commission, along with Engle, inspected Road #173 in Hopkins Township and Road #176 in Independence Township following the large amounts of rain. Also visited Wilcox to inspect the intersection of Galaxy Road and 250th Street where an emailed request was received to put up a stop sign.
• Reviewed documents submitted by John Schenkel, trustee of Polk Township, regarding financial request for assistance in paving Ivory Road/275th Street. Polk Township Board has accepted the (low) bid given by Herzog Contracting Company and plans to move forward. Nodaway County has tabled this for future discussion as it is not currently in the FY26 budget.
• The Road Use Agreement draft regarding Kiewit Power Constructors Co was reviewed and changes submitted to Andrew Bittner, Project Engineer (Evergy Mullin Creek Generating Station) before final approval.
• Contacted Jim Knox, Martin Marietta Materials regarding question on rock hauling procedure. Also present, Jim Farnan, Grant Township Trustee.
• Legal Counsel, Travis Elliott was contacted and meeting scheduled for Thursday, May 21 at 11:00. At that time, the commission will go into Closed Session per 610.021.1 for Litigation. (610.021. Closed meetings and closed records authorized when, exceptions. • Steven Brown, Independence Township trustee and Eric Jones, Atchison Township maintenance operator, called with road concerns after recent rain and storms in the county. A meeting was scheduled with Christy Forney, Nodaway County Emergency Management Director, to discuss countywide road, tube and bridge damage.
The Nodaway County Commission met on Thurs., May 21.
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: Invoice to Metal Culverts for bridge supplies; to Taryn Henry, P.C., Attorney at Law for Public Administrator.
• The commission reviewed the following information: Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) notice re: Route U closed for culvert repair today; MoDOT notice of grant funds for Roadway Safety; Open Records Request from Paxson Haws, various emails from citizens.
• Scott Wilson, back-up operator for the City of Bolckow, discussed concerns with water supply on the proposed data center. Also present: Jesse Stark, Sheridan Express.
• The commissioners spoke with Township officials on May 20and 21 requesting storm damage information and numbers. Spoke with Steve Brown, Independence Township Trustee regarding bridge approaches and culverts. Met with Christy Forney, Nodaway County Emergency Management Director, on Public Assistance from storm damages. Forney shared that the threshold for Nodaway County is $103,231.26 with Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The commission, Forney and Matt Smith, Director of Public Works with City of Maryville, discussed damages reported thus far and unanimously agreed that the threshold had been more than met. Forney will turn in a rough number of $1 million to State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA). The Governor will then make a declaration for this area of the state. Forney requested damage be documented by pictures. Forney estimates a week or two before hearing anything further. Also present: Stark, Geoffrey Woehlk, Maryville Forum, Brian Engle, road and bridge supervisor.
• Patrick Lewis, trustee, Alan Rowlett and Nick Rosenbohm, board members all of Hughes Township met with Sage Jones and Eli Mullock, Enel Green Power representatives with the commissioners present to discuss access road responsibility within the footprint of the Enel Green Power wind project. Jones reviewed the Road Use Agreement. The decision was made that Enel and Hughes Township would meet to decide on a course of action.
• The commission signed a contract for softmatch credit trade with Atchison County. Nodaway County Commissioners agreed to trade $100,000 of credit for $.65 on the dollar. Signed document was emailed to Atchison County and Madison Woodward, MoDOT.
• Set up a meeting time with Casey Chastain, Senior Professional Human Resources and Managing Director at Higginbotham Insurance to do a mid-year review. Chastain will review claims, county trends and present a donation for Nodaway County for the back to school fund.
• The commissioners went into closed session at 11:05 per 610.021(1) RSMo and back to open session at 12:19
• Took a call from a Hopkins Township landowner regarding a tube concern on Road #158.
• Received a call from Chaim Jenkins, incoming Northeast Nodaway School District Superintendent regarding the proposed data center.
• Received a call from Chaim Jenkins, incoming Northeast Nodaway School District Superintendent regarding the proposed data center.