On the agenda: Vernon County Commission Minutes 20260715 — Data Center (Jul 15)

COUNTY COMMISSION RECORD, VERNON COUNTY Wednesday , July 15 , 20 26 5 th July Adj . THE VERNON COUNTY COMMISSION MET, PURS U ANT TO ADJOU RNMENT , WEDNESDAY , JULY 15 , 20 26 AT 9:00 A .M. PRESENT: JOE WILSON , PRESIDING COMMISSIONER; CINDY THOMPSON , NORTHERN COMMISSIONER; AND JOHN SHORTEN , SOUTHERN COMMISSIONER . EMERGENCY CLOSED SESSION In pursuant with RSMo 610.021 , Subparagraph ( 3) , a m otion to go into closed session was made by Commissioner Shorten, second ed by Commissioner Thompson , and all voted yes on entering closed session at 9:25 AM. At 9:40 AM Thompson made a motion to go back into open session, Shorten second ed the motion and all three Commissioners approved. SUNSHINE POLICY A Motion was made by Commissioner Thompson, Second ed by Commissioner Shorten and all three voted yes to approve the Sunshine Policy with updated signatures. ROAD AND BRIDGE Mike Reasoner, Road and Bridge Foreman came in to discuss where culverts have been reported that need attention. Plans for opening 1400 Rd on Thursday, July 16, at the end of the day. Hidden driveway signs were discussed as a resident in Coal Township has requested one. Larry Balk was contacted about his pile of broken concrete/Rip Rap. It will be closer to the location by using this pile he is wanting gone. He has approximately 8 loads of rip rap that can be used. He said he would charge the county half of what Ash Grove charges. A truck load is $30.75 from Ash Grove. Burning the brush that was pulled from the river at Ball Town was discussed. SOLAR Jessica Sagar from CDL was contacted. We are still having issues with reporting. The savings are not showing up on the Evergy side. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Tina Cochran discussed Build Vernon County is working with Jeremy Fast to find a bank. Marvin Planning, planning consultants will be in town July 28-30 and will be reporting to the City of Nevada, City Council. A Feasibility study by Home Grown Prosperity is something that we should consider . It is a free service funded by a grant. They help communities implement different things. We were informed that on September 16 th a House Committee Hearing with new legislation about Data Centers will be held in Jefferson City. In attendance Commissioner Wilson, Commissioner Shorten, Commissioner Thompson, Tina Cochran, Economic Developer, Adrienne Lee, County Clerk, and via tele phone Erik Sommer, County Business Manager . INSURANCE Commission called Jeremy Billington about potential insurance issues with an employee. The different options that are available were discussed. PHP is working with a facility to set up direct pay. What qualifies for FMLA and COBRA were also covered. COMMUNICATIONS A phone call was placed to Joe Hardin regarding a private issue with an employee. A phone call was placed to Darinda Weeks , Commission Administrative Assistant , for a h ealth update. A phone call was placed with legal, Travis Elliott, on FMLA procedures. Tim Bogardus was contacted about tree trimming. FEMA DECLARATIONS DR 4872 AND DR 4885 Townships and the County are starting to see FEMA money or have already received the funds. The townships that have filed for FEMA are Clear Creek, Henry, Virgil, Deerfield, Metz, Bacon, Blue Mound, Lake, Washington, Walker, Richland, Osage, Center, Harrison, Coal, and Dover. Lake Township received $67,000 and is currently in an appeal with them. So far Bacon Township has received $670,000, Blue Mound Township received $664,000 , and Washington Township received $85,000. ADJOURN Ordered that Commission adjourn at 3:57 P.M. until Tuesday , July 21 , 20 26 . ATTEST: ____________________________ APPROVED: _______________________________ CLERK OF COMMISSION PRESIDING COMMISSIONER