Record: 9-11

By Phil Cobb | September 11, 2026 |

COMMISSION MINUTES

The Nodaway County Commission met in regular session Tuesday, August 25.

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 Smith Contracting Company (ARPA) for 3rd floor conference room remodel.

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

MoSIP rate sheet documents.

• Took a call from Madison Wood regarding the right-of-ways for both BRO-R074(001) and BRO-R074(002) bridges.

• Public Comment – Citizens questioned if the Commission has gotten any answers back from the developer, they have not. Several reshared concerns over the dangerous road conditions Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) has created. A volunteer Advisory Committee for Planning and zoning is still being discussed. The group asked for more information on White Cloud Township’s question for planning and zoning on the November ballot. Concrete and rock concerns were brought up. Livestock continues to be a shared concern. Those present: Scott Wilson, Susie Strauch, Rena Puckett, Tim Schafer, Wanda Goodspeed, Bruce Skoglund, Irene Alexander, Cindy Roach, Josh McKim and Kim Mildward, Nodaway County Economic Development (NCED), Bryce Howard, Amy Ziegler, Patrick Swinford, Nina Wiederholt, Kim Swyers, Donna Tompkins and Sheriff Austin Hann.

• The commission discussed having a public facing video(s) that could be viewed on a television in the lobby for county residents to view and would contain links for more information to view and host on the county website and/or NCED’s website.

• Reviewed and approved Invoice #10 on BRO-074(004) Bridge # 0530012 in Grant Township.

• Drafted and signed a Township and County Culvert Permit letter for the 2026 disaster relief.

• Sheriff Austin Hann submitted the SFY2027 Deputy Sheriff Supplemental Salary Fund (DSSSF) Grant Award and Articles of Agreement document and budget for signature. This will provide approximately an additional $3,000 per deputy annually. Document was reviewed, signed and returned to the MoSMART Board at Department of Public Safety.

• Reviewed an email from Madison Woodward, Transportation Planner with the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) regarding LPA Basic Training and ROW Negotiator Training.

• Reviewed ABK Fire & Safety, LLC inspection report for the County Administration Center.

• Steve Farnan, Washington Township Clerk, stopped in to discuss roads #1035, #1036 and #996 for construction. Approved an application for construction for Road #173 in Hopkins Township. Burns gave updates rock inventory for Martin Marietta quarries.

• Patton submitted for review, expense/revenue and employee leave reports for July 2026.

The Nodaway County Commission met on Thursday, August 27.

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 Smith Contracting Company (ARPA) for 3rd floor conference room remodel; Temp Concession Stand Liquor License for Tuck Point, LLC; County Clerk Fee Report (June and July 2026). Sheriff to Kelly Tire for vehicle maintenance.

The Commission reviewed the following information received by mail or email: Emails and articles from citizen on proposed data center; Vehicle Sales Tax/Motor Fuel Tax reports

• Public Comment – The Commission gave Scott Wilson a written response to a question he asked last week. Concerns were shared over the dangerous road conditions Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) has created on Highway 71 with the construction of a J-turn. The City of Bolckow’s City Clerk, Mike Wilson, shared concerns over the 102 River usage and wastewater and requested the commissioners look at decommissioning bonds. Donna Tompkins discussed the reports given by Tom Patterson from Nodaway County Health Department, seeking clarification. Susie Strauch expressed concerns over health-related issues. Nancy Zeliff cited a Facebook post regarding the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) scrapping public notice and comment requirements on new air pollutions. Tim Schafer asked the commissioners, Nodaway County Economic Development (NCED) and another citizen if they knew anything about solar farms coming to the county. Commissioner Burns stated they have spoken with several people about serving on a volunteer Advisory Committee for planning and zoning and have had several agree. Burns also spoke on the concerns for rock supply. Jeff From shared that data centers are military targets and security concerns need to be considered. Also present: Geoffrey Woehlk, Maryville Forum, Eric Zimmerman, Bruce Skoglund, Dustin Skoglund, Bryce Howard, Josh McKim and Kim Mildward, (NCED), Chiya Dawoudi, Kim Swyers, Donna Tompkins, Rex Wallace, assessor and Sheriff Austin Hann.

• Sheriff Hann checked in regarding the status of the generator. Walk will check the generator Friday.

• Allan Rowlett, Hughes Township board member, stopped in to discuss new construction on Road #781, which is complete and ready for inspection. Rowlett asked the commissioners to look at Road #792 and #595

• The county tax levy hearing was opened by Burns and turned over to the County Clerk. Patton gave a review of the 2026 Assessed Valuation and proposed levies. Patton stated the max levy the county could set with the mandatory rollback is 0.1649. The hearing notice presented the proposed County General Revenue rate at 0.1300 as this was the rate for last year. A motion was made, seconded and approved to accept the proposed county levy rate to $.1300 per $100 Assessed Valuation, Senate Bill 40 levy at $.05 and Senior Citizens Fund levy at $.05 per $100 Assessed Valuations. Also present: Brian Engle, road and bridge supervisor, Sally Duff, collector/treasurer and Bill Oliver, News Director, KXCV/KRNW.

• An employee met with the commission to discuss concerns over health insurance. Also present: Wallace, Robin Clark, deputy county clerk.

• Zeke Peterson, Project Manager for Great River Engineering, met with the commissioners and Engle regarding BRO Bridge updates, softmatch bridge updates and the upcoming 2027 year for planning. The commissioners signed a Work Authorization Agreement with Great River Engineering for Bridge #0844002.

• Reviewed an email from Madison Woodward, Transportation Planner with the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) regarding LPA Basic Training. Walk will be updating their credentials through online training.

• The commissioners, along with Engle, inspected Road #781, #792 and #595, all in Hughes Township.