On the agenda: Wapello County Minutes — data center (Sep 8)

WAPELLO COUNTY BOARD PROCEEDINGS
3rd Floor Courtroom/Boardroom at Courthouse
DATE: 9-8-2026

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; Chad Drury, Ottumwa Courier;
Jason Fuller, Sheriff’s Department; Laurie Fountain, Treasurer; Autum Wonderlin, Recorder’s
Office; Luke Andreasen, Assistant Engineer; Willene White, NOEL. Zoom Attendees:
RPilcher; Michael Miller; Wapello Co. EMA; G; & A.
Chair Batterson opened the meeting. Vice Chair Teninty moved, seconded by Supervisor
Ziegler to approve the agenda. All ayes. Motion carried.
Vice Chair Teninty moved, seconded by Supervisor Ziegler to approve the minutes of the
August 25,2026, Board Meeting. All ayes. Motion carried.
Vice Chair Teninty moved, seconded by Supervisor Ziegler to approve American Gothic
House to obtain a credit card. All ayes. Motion carried.
Supervisor Ziegler moved, seconded by Vice Chair Teninty to approve Resolution #40-2026
Transfer of Funds from (02000) General Supplemental to (85000) Wapello Co. Employee
Health Fund. All ayes. Motion carried.
Vice Chair Teninty moved, seconded by Supervisor Ziegler to approve extension of farm
ground land contract with Bradley Yeager 2026-2027. All ayes. Motion carried.
Supervisor Ziegler moved, seconded by Chair Batterson, to table the Educational Mailer &
Cost of Mailer for the Jail Expansion. All ayes. Motion carried.
Supervisor Ziegler moved, seconded by Vice Chair Teninty to approve The Samuels Group
Contract for the Jail Expansion. Two ayes - One nay. Motion carried.
Vice Chair Teninty moved, seconded by Supervisor Ziegler to approve Resolution #41-2026
Temporary Road Closure and Detour for T61. All ayes. Motion carried.
Vice Chair Teninty moved, seconded by Supervisor Ziegler to approve appointment of Linda
Durflinger to the American Gothic House Board. All ayes. Motion carried.
Vice Chair Teninty moved, seconded by Supervisor Ziegler to approve the contract billing for
the Sharp MX2630 in the Auditor’s Office. All ayes. Motion carried.

Supervisor Ziegler moved, seconded by Vice Chair Teninty to approve contract renewal for
Otter for the Board of Supervisors Office. All ayes. Motion carried.
Renewable Energy Ordinance – Discussion of beginning to work on an ordinance for the
data center and looking at what other counties are doing for an ordinance and forming an
ordinance from other counties. Having a specialized attorney looking at it for security
purposes. Willene White reminded the Supervisors they have five hours of free legal service
they could use to work on the ordinance.
Vice Chair Teninty moved, seconded by Supervisor Ziegler to approve request for payroll
approval, of Laryssa Droz, Office Manager in the Assessor’s Office full time effective
08/14/2026. The pay will be $68,812.00 per year. All ayes. Motion carried.
Payroll in the amount of $500,212.18 & Claims in the amount of $206,514.95 on 9/4/2026
were approved.
Other Business – A group went to tour Lightedge Compliance & Security Data Center. They
spoke highly of the center. The level of security was very impressive. The sound was not
nearly as loud unless you were in a particular corridor of the building.
Introduction of the new Assistant Engineer Luke Andreasen.
10:14 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