Record: 7-16

By Phil Cobb | July 16, 2026 |

COMMISSION MINUTES

The Nodaway County Commission met in regular session Tuesday, July 7.

In attendance were Presiding Commissioner Bill Walker, South District Commissioner Scott Walk, North District Commissioner Chris Burns, and Melinda Patton, county clerk. North District Commissioner Chris Burns wasn’t present.

Business before the governing board included:

• Requisitions and approvals: Caterer’s Liquor License to The Palms 2.0 LLC: Road and Bridge to Maryville Chamber of Commerce for safety incentives.

• The commission reviewed the following information: Emails from citizen on proposed data center

Thank you notes for attendees for Boys and Girls State.

• Public Comment – Walker updated the group on the moratorium process. Topics brought up to the commissioners were concerns over potential tax abatements, water, pollution, moratorium time frame, potential development agreement, crops, concerns over the proposed data center being a surveillance center and the need to consider that county as a whole as not every citizen is against the project. Those present: Rena Puckett, Roland Hayden, Linda Hayden, Rhonda Beattie, Nina Wiederholt, Amy Ziegler, Bryce Howard, Carter Strauch, Kim Swyers, Eric Zimmerman, Mike Wilson, Scott Wilson, Irene Alexander, Cindy Roach, Jo McGeorge, Tim Schafer, Donna Tompkins, Chris Turpin, Geoffrey Woehlk, Maryville Forum, Kim Mildward, Nodaway County Economic Development (NCED), Austin Hann, sheriff.

• Contacted Jeff Smith, Smith Contracting, LLC, regarding a fire alarm device at the Administration Center. Reviewed an email from Sheriff Hann regarding a new refrigerator for the jail. Hann will price new refrigerators and share with the commission. Hann gave an update on the insurance claim on the Dodge Durango. Discussed the keys to the outside water connections for both Administration Center and Courthouse buildings for the fair.

• Took a call from Joseph Wilson, Vernon County Commissioner who inquired if Nodaway County has a policy for stop signs in unmarked intersections.

• A citizen stopped in to share concerns for the program which currently requires participants to sign up each year to be eligible. At this time, Nodaway County has not changed the ordinance to change this.

• Adam Marriott, Megan Glidden and Johnny Marriott stopped in to discuss approval for utilizing electricity for the stage during the Stampede the ‘Ville event. The commissioners gave tentative approval pending more information on ownership of the pole.

• Commissioner Walker moved an air conditioner unit at the courthouse.

The Nodaway County Commission met on Thursday, July 9.

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 Snyder and Associates for softmatch bridge. Sheriff to Data Business Systems for office supplies; to Kelly Tire for vehicle maintenance.

• The commission reviewed the following information: Emails from citizen on proposed data center; Missouri Farmers Care press release; Missouri Association of Counties (MAC) – Workers’ Compensation Overview report; Fuel and Equipment Report (June 2026).

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

• Public Comment – Walker updated the group on the moratorium process (Closed Session set for this afternoon with county attorney Travis Elliott.) Topics brought up to the commissioners were concerns both against and in favor of the proposed project were water usage, air pollution, moratorium time frame/government overreach, county zoning, potential development agreement, other county property being sought for purchase. Those present: Richard and Susie Strauch, Scott Wilson, Jeff From, Tim Schafer, Tim Lance, Bruce Skoglund, Dustin Skoglund, Jessi Starke, Sheridan Express, Kim Mildward, Nodaway County Economic Development (NCED), Rex Wallace, assessor, Austin Hann, sheriff.

• Mildward spoke with the commissioners on the status of the fair ground project. She stated she had spoken with Jacob Wood, Chief of Staff to President Tatum at Northwest Missouri State University, this week to follow up on the status of the legislation. The authorization is included in House Bill 2108 and Senate Bill 937. Governor Kehoe has until the end of the day on Monday, July 13, to sign the bill. Everyone remains optimistic that it will be signed, as it is part of broader legislation authorizing the sale of several state-owned properties. Assuming the bill is signed, Mildward and Tom Shelton, board member will meet with the commission to discuss next steps. They would present the purchase option as negotiated to date, discuss a fundraising strategy, and begin conversations about establishing a new organization to lead the fundraising effort and ultimately own and manage the property.

• The commission, along with Brian Engle, road and bridge supervisor, looked at Roads #395 and #396 and 257th Street all in Jackson Township and Roads #473 and #474 in Polk Township due to a complaint on a dirt hauling project.

• Commissioner Walker made a call to Sleek Creek Heating and Cooling to have them take a look at the air conditioning unit in the county clerk’s office in the Administration Center.