On the agenda: Wapello County Minutes — Data Center (Aug 11)

WAPELLO COUNTY BOARD PROCEEDINGS
3rd Floor Courtroom/Boardroom at Courthouse
DATE: 8-11-2026

TIME: 9:30 a.m.

PRESENT: Darren Batterson, Chair; Carrie Teninty, Vice Chair; Bryan Ziegler, Supervisor;
Karen Wilcoxson, Assistant to the Board of Supervisors; Brad Skinner, Engineer; Andy
Alderson, IT; Travis Kaster, Assessor; Don Phillips, Sheriff; Lisa Kent, Recorder; Chad Drury,
Ottumwa Courier; Willene White, NOEL; Miranda Bailey, Zoning; Jason Fuller, Sheriff’s
Department; Autum Wonderlin, Recorder’s Office; Micah Van Mersbergen; Kevin
Holzhauser; Stephen Croft, Veteran Commission; Pam Schulz Croft; Dennis Willhoit; Tom
Lazio; Peg Lazio. Zoom Attendees: RPilcher; Laurie Fountain; Michael Miller; Primo-giusti;
User5632; Guest; Samuels1; Chayce Coenen; Ldiers; A.
Chair Batterson opened the meeting stating we needed to remove item 11-h from the
agenda. Supervisor Ziegler moved, seconded by Vice Chair Teninty, to approve the agenda.
All ayes. Motion carried.
Supervisor Ziegler moved, seconded by Vice Chair Teninty to approve the minutes of July
28, 2026, Regular Board Meeting. All ayes. Motion carried.
Vice Chair Teninty moved, seconded by Supervisor Ziegler to approve to set a Public
Hearing for August 25 at 9:30 a.m. approval of Final Plat Hill Subdivision. All ayes. Motion
carried.
Vice Chair Teninty moved, seconded by Supervisor Ziegler to approve the Recorder’s Black
Ice TIFF Viewer Renewal. All ayes. Motion carried.
Vice Chair Teninty moved, seconded by Supervisor Ziegler to approve Resolution #35-2026
Overpayment of Insurance Premiums – Teamsters Local Union #238 (Sheriff’s Department).
All ayes. Motion carried.
Vice Chair Teninty moved, seconded by Supervisor Ziegler to approve Memorandum of
Understanding with Teamsters Local 238. All ayes. Motion carried.
Data Center Discussion – A few Department Heads toured the US Signal Data Center in
Waukee. It was very clean, quiet, high security, and appeared to be well run operation.
There’s a plan to visit another Data Center on 8/27/2026 in Altoona. Travis discussed how
much the data center paid in taxes. Reported there were no tax abatements on record.
When considering an ordinance, we need to make sure there’s decommissioning process

included. Miranda plans to ask questions at ISAC conference next week and see what other
counties are doing for an ordinance.
Renewable Energy Ordinance Discussion – Chair Batterson & Supervisor Ziegler are going
to work on a few issues that were discussed previously and communicate through Miranda,
Travis and Don. The Renewable Energy will go on the 8/25/2026 agenda.
Vice Chair Teninty moved, seconded by Supervisor Ziegler to approve Acceptance of Health
Insurance & Transplant Renewal. There were no changes made to the policy. All ayes.
Motion carried.
Supervisor Ziegler moved, seconded by Vice Chair Teninty, to approve Jail Expansion
Option B to go on the ballot in November 2026 for public vote. All ayes. Motion carried.
Supervisor Ziegler moved, seconded by Vice Chair Teninty, to approve request of salary
approval for Jason Fuller, Jail Administrator, to $83,349.00 effective 08/03/2026. All ayes.
Motion carried.
Supervisor Ziegler moved, seconded by Vice Chair Teninty, to approve request of salary
approval for Chaylee Goodvin, Assistant Jail Administrator to $70,670.25 effective
08/03/2026. All ayes. Motion carried.
Vice Chair Teninty moved, seconded by Supervisor Ziegler to approve request of salary
approval for Bryce Uhlenberg, Assistant County Attorney to $94,382.63 effective 7/24/2026.
All ayes. Motion carried.
Supervisor Ziegler moved, seconded by Vice Chair Teninty, to approve request for salary
approval for Kari Short, Office Manager at the County Attorney’s Office to $67,157.50
effective 7/24/2026. All ayes. Motion carried.
Vice Chair Teninty moved, seconded by Supervisor Ziegler to approve request for salary
approval for Jenna Stiles, Administrator of the American Gothic House to full time to $22.50
per hour effective 07/24/2026. All ayes. Motion carried.
Supervisor Ziegler moved, seconded by Vice Chair Teninty, to approve request for salary
approval for Deb Barnes, Assistant Administrator of the American Gothic House to part time
(30 hours or less) to $20.38 per hour effective 07/24/2026. All ayes. Motion carried.
Vice Chair Teninty moved, seconded by Supervisor Ziegler to approve request for salary
approval for Neva Mitchell, Deputy Auditor of the Auditor’s Office to $68,782.50 effective
08/24/2026. All ayes. Motion carried.

Request for Payroll Approval – New Hire – Veterans Affairs. This item was taken off the
agenda. The recipient declined the position.
Supervisor Ziegler moved, seconded by Vice Chair Teninty, to accept & file the Treasurer’s
Investment report July 2026. All ayes. Motion carried.
Payroll in the amount of $491,770.02 & Claims in the amount of $275,094.39 on 8/7/2026
were approved.
10:45 a.m. Vice Chair Teninty moved, seconded by Supervisor Ziegler to adjourn. All ayes.
Motion carried.

ATTEST:
_________________________
Danielle Weller
Wapello County Auditor
Submitted: ksw

_____________________________________
Darren Batterson, Chair
Board of Supervisor