Record: 10-31

By Phil Cobb | October 31, 2026 |

COMMISSION MINUTES

The Nodaway County Commission met in regular session Tuesday, Oct. 20.

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 Midway Ready Mix, LLC for bridge in White Cloud Township. Sheriff to Card Services for training lodging; to Hensley’s Collision for vehicle maintenance (deductible); Treasurer to Circuit Court for the Juvenile Justice revenues.

• The Commission reviewed the following information received by mail or email: Emails and articles from citizen on proposed data center; Public Service Commission (Evergy Metro, Inc.

• Public Comment – Citizens asked for updates on the moratorium questions and reports, status updates on planning and zoning advisory committee and if the developer has ever built a gas-powered plant anywhere else. An email was sent to Dan Scheffler regarding other plants potentially built. Left a message for Jordan Meyer, Department of Conservation regarding an impact study. Present: Nina R. Wiederholt, Cindy Roach, Mike Wilson, Scott Wilson, Amy Zeigler, Bryce Howard, Dustin Skoglund, Chiya Dawoudi, Susie Strauch, Tim Schafer, Steve Barmann, Donna Tompkins, Rhonda Beattie, Wanda Goodspeed, Jesse Stark, Sheridan Express; Josh McKim and Kim Mildward, Nodaway County Economic Development (NCED); Rex Wallace, assessor and Sheriff Austin Hann.

• Reviewed information regarding CART roads for Nodaway County from Madison Woodward, Intermediate Transportation Planner with the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT), NW District

• Spoke with the Facility Maintenance technician about building concerns.

• Attended a Recovery Scoping Meeting with Marquis Battle, Emergency Management Specialist, Region 7, Recovery Division and Patrick Carnahan, Jennifer Brown who joined via Zoom. The commissioners reviewed damages sustained during the FEMA-DR4929-MO event, mitigation, options and deadlines. Forms will be shared via email to complete and return within two weeks, at which time a follow up meeting will be scheduled.

• Sally Duff, collector/treasurer had Commissioner Walker sign Form 4379, 4379A and 4379B for the Missouri Department of Revenue.

• The commission, along with Brian Engle, road and bridge supervisor, inspected bridge #0367003 in Polk Township and bridge #0763004 in White Cloud Township.

• Reviewed an email from Brian Madden, Wagstaff & Cartmell, LLP regarding a settlement overview from the National Opioids Settlement program. The overview included a settlement reached with Albertsons Companies, Inc. The commission voted to opt in to this settlement.

The Nodaway County Commission met on Thursday, Oct. 22.

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: Invoices for Oden Enterprises for softmatch bridge projects; J&A Traffic Products for 911 Signage; Jeff Hall, coroner for mileage reimbursement; to NW MO Regional Council of Governments – solid Waste Planner for Hazardous Waste Collection (October 17, 2026). Road and Bridge to Murphy Tractor for equipment; to Gray Oil & Gasoline Co., Inc for diesel fuel; Treasurer to Circuit Court for the Juvenile Justice revenues.

• The Commission reviewed the following information received by mail or email: Emails and articles from citizen on proposed data center; Operation Green Light for Veterans email from Missouri Association of Counties (MAC); Email notification on BOSS Coffee: October 28, 2026 at 8:15 a.m.; Great Northwest Day at the Capitol 2027 invite

• Public Comment – Citizens shared that surveyors are trespassing on properties that are not within the footprint of the potential data center site and a slave grave may be present on the site according to a letter and map that were shared. Commissioner Walker shared that they had heard back from the Conservation Department that will be doing an impact study, but no time table was given. Present: Bruce Skoglund, Jean Calkins, Jaiden Calkins, Steve Barmann, Scott Wilson, Chiya Dawoudi, Susie Strauch, Donna Tompkins, Jesse Stark, Sheridan Express; Josh McKim and Kim Mildward, Nodaway County Economic Development (NCED); Rex Wallace, assessor and Sheriff Austin Hann.

• A Closed Session time was set with Travis Elliott, Ellis, Ellis, Hammon & Johnson PC for Tuesday, October 27, 2026 at 11:00 a.m.

• The commission signed the Exhibit K: Subdivision Participation and Release Form for the National Opioids Settlement program for a settlement reached with Albertsons Companies, Inc.

• Jackson Township Trustee Jeff Meyer stopped in to discuss permitting with a new line Evergy is putting in from Parnell to Ravenwood.

• Reviewed proposed insurance plan numbers for FY27 with Galen Floyd, Group Benefit Services, Inc. (GBS) and Alan Fay, Higginbotham Insurance via TEAMS call. Also present: Sally Duff, collector/treasurer.

• Spoke with the Facility Maintenance technician about building concerns at both the Administration Center and the courthouse. Made calls to Smith Contracting, Coenen Electric and Casady Cleaning Services.

• Brian Engle, road and bridge supervisor, discussed an email and call from Brightspeed regarding a cut line from May 2025. Engle turned in paperwork regarding the FEMA-DR4929-MO event.

• The commission reviewed wage scales and discussed Cost of Living Allowances (COLA).

• Reviewed and approved Invoice #12 on BRO-074(004) bridge.

• Mildward, NCED, discussed the proposal for downtown Christmas lights and requested $250 toward the advertisement costs of the upcoming Holiday events. The commission tabled the decision.

• The commission, along with Engle, inspected tubes on Roads #850 and #849 and Bridges #858 and #877 in Hughes Township.