On the agenda: Leavenworth Minutes — data center (Aug 26)

*******August 26, 2026 ********
The Board of County Commissioners met in regular session on Wednesday, August 19, 2026.
Commissioner Smith, Commissioner Culbertson, Commissioner Dove and Commissioner Stieben are
present; Commissioner Reid by phone; Also present: Mark Loughry, County Administrator; Misty Brown,
County Counselor

Commissioner Stieben requested public comment be held at the end of the meeting.
ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS:
Mark Loughry inquired about the scheduling of an evening meeting on September 16.
Mr. Loughry addressed reimbursements for data center site visits.
Mr. Loughry has the WebX site set up for questions and answers regarding the data center.
Commissioner Smith would like a discussion on how the meetings are conducted and public
comment.
Commissioner Dove would like a discussion on property taxes.
Commissioner Stieben wants to address the power plant proposal in a work session.
A motion was made by Commissioner Culbertson and seconded by Commissioner Smith to
accept the consent agenda for Wednesday, August 26, 2026.
Motion passed, 5-0.
Mr. Loughry presented the Leavenworth County general funds and specials funds.
Commissioner Stieben opened public hearing for the General fund budget.
Laura Fowler spoke in favor of the revenue neutral budget.
Commissioner Stieben closed the public hearing for the General fund budget.
A motion was made by Commissioner Stieben that the Board of County Commissioners
approve a one- time redirection of approximately $85,658.000 from the Economic
Development Reserve Fund balance to establish an Arts Vanities and Historical Societies
grant program to support historical societies, historical programs, arts and humanities or
historical educational institutions and protecting Leavenworth County history and culture to
be overseen by the Board of County Commissioners or a Board subsequently established by
the Commission on the basis that such programs constitute economic development effort by
attracting visitors to Leavenworth County effective upon adoption of the fiscal year 2027
budget or by separate board order as appropriate.
Motion dies for lack of a second.

A motion was made by Commissioner Stieben that the Board of County Commissioners
approve a reduction of approximately $150,000.00 in the fiscal year 2027 budget by
eliminating the monitoring of the front public entrance of the Courthouse by two deputies and
limiting public entrance to the single rear handicap access entrance only effective upon the
adoption of the fiscal year 2027 budget and direct staff to implement the corresponding
operational budgetary adjustments.
Motion dies for lack of a second.
A motion was made by Commissioner Smith and seconded by Commissioner Dove to approve
the 2027 Leavenworth County budget.
Motion passed, 5-0.
Commissioner Stieben opened the public hearing for the Special Other Funds budget.
No one spoke in opposition of in favor.
Commissioner Stieben closed the public hearing.
A motion was made by Commissioner Dove and seconded by Commissioner Smith to approve
the Leavenworth County Special Other Funds budget.
Motion passed, 5-0.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Jim Karleskint, Richard Paz, Tammy Patton, Robin Hungerbeeler, Dee Karleskint Lee
Hungerbeeler, Linda Sturgeon, Kim Colvert, Annette Holden, Jane Dent and Lori Putthoff
commented.
A motion was made by Commissioner Stieben and seconded by Commissioner Smith to bring
the moratorium proposal off of the table for consideration.
Motion failed 2-2, Commissioners Culbertson and Dove
voting nay.
A motion was made by Commissioner Stieben and seconded by Commissioner Smith to instruct
staff to prepare a procedure for conducting a countywide vote on whether we should have hyper
datacenters within the County prior to regulations being developed.
Commissioner Dove mentioned an agreement that motions are supposed to be placed on the
agenda.
Commissioner Stieben withdrew his motion.

A motion was made by Commissioner Stieben and seconded by Commissioner Smith to place
having staff prepare for a countywide vote on the hyper datacenters to be placed on the agenda
for discussion for next week’s meeting.
Motion passed, 3-1 Commissioner Dove voting nay.
A motion was made by Commissioner Smith and seconded by Commissioner Dove to adjourn.
Motion passed, 4-0.
The Board adjourned at 11:01 a.m.