Record: 8-27

By Editor | August 27, 2026 |

COMMISSION MINUTES

The Nodaway County Commission met in regular session Tuesday, August 18.

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: Liquor License for a temporary concession stand for Graham Street Fair. Circuit Court to Judge Robert Rice for mileage reimbursement; Sheriff to Delbert’s Garage for vehicle maintenance; Road and Bridge to Foley Industries for equipment repair; to Gray Oil for fuel oil.

• The commission reviewed the following information: Emails from citizen on proposed data center; Invite from Second Harvest Community Food Bank for Hunger Action Month.

• Public Comment – Citizens asked for updates on other potential data centers (no new updates or confirmation.) Questioned the J-turns again, which are a Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) project and are being done across the state. Several citizens have shared emails with information and an outline of what needs to be done regarding the steps cited in the moratorium. Planning and zoning was brought up again. A volunteer advisory committee is being formed and several people have offered to serve on that committee. In attendance was Representative Jeff Farnan, who was questioned if anything further could be done from a higher level. Farnan stated there was not. He has been working to draft a bill that would make companies be more transparent. A citizen asked what questions have been asked and answered of the development company. Commissioner Burns stated all the topics that have been discussed or brought forth by the community have been submitted, but no answers have been given. Permits will be required by Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for both the generating plant and the proposed data center. Those present: Bob Payne, Carol Payne, Roland Hayden, Linda Sue Hayden, Jesse Stark, Sheridan Express, Dustin Skoglund, Mike Wilson, Scott Wilson, Jeffrey From, Tim Schafer, Tim Lance, Rhonda Beattie, Eric Zimmerman, Kim Swyers, Irene Alexander, Cindy Roach, Josh McKim and Kim Mildward, Nodaway County Economic Development (NCED), Bryce Howard, Amy Ziegler, Representative Jeff Farnan, Mike Hardy, Chris Wallace and Sheriff Austin Hann.

• The commissioners discussed putting together an Advisory Committee to look into the feasibility of a Planning and Zoning Ordinance. Several have expressed an interest in in serving on this committee. The commissioners discussed with C. Wallace, J. From and K. Mildward what this would look like. A minimum of five people with a maximum of seven will be utilized.

• The proceed order for Grant Township was sent. Spoke with Nathan Honan, board member for Lincoln Township regarding rock concerns.

• Discussed a jail generator issue with Sheriff Hann. The janitor at the courthouse reported a need for a plumber. A letter was received from Travelers Insurance with a premium credit of $565 on the auto policy.

• Tom Patterson, Nodaway County Health Center Director, came in to discuss air and noise emissions with the commission. Patterson shared articles and studies from the University of Wisconsin on Ventilation Fan Noise in Dairy Buildings, the National Agricultural and Food Centre on the Effect of Noise on performance, stress and behavior of animals, an article from DOI Foundation on The Role of Sound in Livestock Farming-Selected Aspects. Patterson discussed the AZ Calculator (AZCalculator.com) that allows you to input the source sound decibel (dB) level, an initial reference distance, then a distance in which to estimate the reduction in dB. Also present: Donna Tompkins, Mildward, McKim, Sheriff Hann, Geoffrey Woehlk, Maryville Forum and Bill Oliver, KXCV Radio.

• Mill reports, regarding an earlier H-Pile bid, were received from The Railroad Yard and Perfect Resource Group, LLC. Following discussion, a motion to go with The Railroad Yard, who had the low bid and met all specs required. The motion was seconded and approved. The commissioners spoke with Mark Downing at the Railroad Yard to place the order.

• Reviewed an email from Matthew Stine, Area Engineer with MoDOT on the plans for the J-Turns. A map was included, but was too small to read when printed. Stine was asked to bring a larger copy to the Transportation Advisory Council (TAC) meeting.

• Received renewal information on Vision Insurance to review. No decision made.

The Nodaway County Commission met on Thursday, August 20.

In attendance were Presiding Commissioner Bill Walker, South District Commissioner Scott Walk and Melinda Patton, county clerk. North District Commissioner Chris Burns not present. (Deposition in Weston)

Business before the governing board included:

• Requisitions and approvals: Road and Bridge to Delbert’s Garage for vehicle repair.

The Commission reviewed the following information received by mail or email: Emails and articles from citizen on proposed data center; Emergency Management Minutes from Christy Forney, Nodaway County Emergency Manager; Email from M. Stine, MoDOT on J-Turn distances; Tools of Floodplain Workshop information; Bridge Standard information sent by Andy Macias, Snyder & Associates.

• Public Comment – Citizens questioned if the commission has gotten any answers back from the developer, they have not. Several shared concerns over the dangerous road conditions Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) has created. Citizens have shared emails with information. Planning and zoning was brought up regarding the volunteer advisory committee being formed. A citizen proposed a question on water with the Evergy project and requested an answer by next Thursday. Livestock continues to be a shared concern. One citizen spoke in the positive for manufacturing and research development perspective. Health, safety, loss of production ground and national security were brought to the forefront again. Those present: Bruce Skoglund, Jesse Stark, Sheridan Express, Susie Strauch, Rena Puckett, Tim Schafer, Dustin Skoglund, Mike Wilson, Scott Wilson, Wayne Beattie, Rhonda Beattie, Kim Mildward, Nodaway County Economic Development (NCED), Amy Ziegler, Chiya Dawoudi, Donna Tompkins and Sheriff Austin Hann.

• The Commissioners, along with Brian Engle, road and bridge supervisor, inspected Hughes Township Bridges #0870009, #0870007, #08700011 and #07900024. Bridges for possible replacement in 2027 were also inspected. These include: #08900017 in Hughes Township, #0709005 and #0645009 in Jefferson and #0251006 in Union Township.

• Nick Kenny, Institutional Sales and Relationship Manager – Assistant Vice President of Missouri Securities Investment Program (MOSIP), called to discuss investment opportunities for Nodaway County.

• Returned a call to Jason Teitelbaum regarding the process to transfer ownership of the Nodaway Nursing Home lease agreement. Teitelbaum also indicated they would be interested in purchasing the property.