1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:07,040 I'll call to order the board of Franklin County Commissioners meeting for 2 00:00:04,000 --> 00:00:09,440 Wednesday, September 2nd, 2026 to order. Starting with roll call. 3 00:00:08,480 --> 00:00:11,360 » Commissioner Somire, >> present. 4 00:00:09,920 --> 00:00:12,639 » Commissioner Wayer, >> Chair Meadow, 5 00:00:12,240 --> 00:00:14,240 » present. >> Vice Chair Harris, 6 00:00:13,679 --> 00:00:16,080 » present. >> Commissioner Dickinson, 7 00:00:15,040 --> 00:00:22,080 » we will stand for the pledge of allegiance. 8 00:00:18,960 --> 00:00:28,560 I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the 9 00:00:25,039 --> 00:00:32,760 republic for it stands under indivisibley. 10 00:00:34,079 --> 00:00:39,680 » Stay standing. [clears throat] 11 00:00:37,360 --> 00:00:46,160 » Morning commissioners. >> Wanted to read a little bit from Psalm 12 00:00:41,520 --> 00:00:53,520 16 as part of my prayer this morning. I bless the Lord who gives me counsel. 13 00:00:49,920 --> 00:00:58,800 In the night also my heart instructs me. I have set the Lord always before me 14 00:00:55,760 --> 00:01:06,560 because he is at my right hand. I shall not be shaken. Therefore, my heart is 15 00:01:01,920 --> 00:01:12,159 glad and my whole being rejoices. So Lord, we say thank you for the 16 00:01:09,200 --> 00:01:17,439 wisdom, the counsel, and all that you give. and especially not least of all 17 00:01:15,600 --> 00:01:21,759 for gladness. And so I pray this across our county. I 18 00:01:19,759 --> 00:01:26,720 want to say thank you for each of our staff members and for our Franklin 19 00:01:24,240 --> 00:01:32,640 County commissioners and uh all that they pour into our community. Lord, I 20 00:01:29,360 --> 00:01:38,720 know this is for our gladness. And so I pray for this sort of joy resulting in 21 00:01:35,840 --> 00:01:44,159 this meeting and in all of the decisions that are made for gladness and for your 22 00:01:41,600 --> 00:01:47,759 counsel. We ask in the name of Jesus. Amen. 23 00:01:44,799 --> 00:01:50,560 » Amen. You may be seated. All right. Do we have any 24 00:01:49,040 --> 00:01:54,479 correspondence? >> I don't believe so. 25 00:01:51,600 --> 00:01:58,079 » All right. Any regular public comment? >> No. 26 00:01:55,119 --> 00:02:03,040 » Okay. Moving on to the consent agenda. Consider and approve claim vouchers and 27 00:02:00,960 --> 00:02:06,040 tax change orders in the amount of $431,99.94. 28 00:02:08,800 --> 00:02:15,680 Consider and approve the Franklin County Commission meeting minutes for August 26 29 00:02:13,360 --> 00:02:21,760 20 A. That one always messes me up. August 26, 2026. Consider approving the 30 00:02:18,879 --> 00:02:24,760 tire bit to pumps tire in the amount of $15,632.65 31 00:02:25,200 --> 00:02:33,120 and then discuss and review Franklin County EMS 2026 operational report, June 32 00:02:30,720 --> 00:02:38,160 2026 financial report, June 2026 adjustment report, and June 2026 33 00:02:35,680 --> 00:02:39,519 collections report. Madam Chairman. 34 00:02:39,280 --> 00:02:42,160 » Yes. >> I'd like to ask a couple questions on 35 00:02:41,360 --> 00:02:45,599 the handling. >> Okay. So, we can separate 36 00:02:44,239 --> 00:02:51,040 » just a couple questions. >> Okay. We'll separate that out. So, you 37 00:02:47,760 --> 00:02:54,720 want to make a motion on the first three or do you want to listen to her first? 38 00:02:53,120 --> 00:02:58,560 All right. Christie, he has some questions. 39 00:02:56,319 --> 00:03:05,120 » Sure. >> Just kind of interested me. Is there any 40 00:03:01,840 --> 00:03:11,120 usually July is when the state comes out with different laws and regulations and 41 00:03:08,159 --> 00:03:15,760 changes? I just wonder if there's any that affected the ambulance. 42 00:03:13,599 --> 00:03:20,720 » We have not seen any this year that have affect us have had a huge effect on us. 43 00:03:18,879 --> 00:03:25,680 They've just done some little tweaks on how we do things operationally. Uh 44 00:03:23,440 --> 00:03:32,560 changed a few scopes of practice uh within the EMT AMT level. 45 00:03:29,280 --> 00:03:36,560 And I noticed uh I mean you probably maybe don't know the answer to this one, 46 00:03:34,640 --> 00:03:43,440 but I noticed that numbers really went up on the Wellsville Fire District this 47 00:03:40,239 --> 00:03:47,360 last month. Is there any reason for any particular reason? 48 00:03:44,799 --> 00:03:51,840 » I haven't noticed a distinct reason other than just call volume's been up a 49 00:03:49,840 --> 00:03:54,000 little bit just across the board. >> 31 to 41. 50 00:03:53,519 --> 00:03:58,080 » Yeah. >> Yeah. I didn't know if there's something 51 00:03:56,480 --> 00:03:59,519 accident that happened or >> No, there was 52 00:03:58,879 --> 00:04:02,000 » something like that. >> No, sir. 53 00:04:00,480 --> 00:04:03,120 » That's all I'm That's all I want to know. 54 00:04:02,480 --> 00:04:04,799 » Okay, >> that sounds good. Well, thanks for 55 00:04:04,239 --> 00:04:08,400 coming up. >> Thank you. 56 00:04:06,640 --> 00:04:11,840 » All right, now we can move on. >> Motion to approve the consent agenda. 57 00:04:10,560 --> 00:04:14,400 » Second. >> It's been moved and seconded. 58 00:04:13,519 --> 00:04:15,599 » Commissioner Solomire? >> Yes. 59 00:04:14,720 --> 00:04:16,880 » Commissioner Raymire? >> Yes. 60 00:04:15,920 --> 00:04:18,160 » Commissioner Harris? >> Yes. 61 00:04:17,359 --> 00:04:22,479 » Chair Me? >> Yes. 62 00:04:19,600 --> 00:04:29,360 » All right. Moving on to items of business. Considering the approval of 63 00:04:24,639 --> 00:04:34,560 reszoning application 26005-000047 Ray to reszone approximately 5 acres 64 00:04:31,520 --> 00:04:39,680 from the Agricultural District to the RE residential estate district. Nathan, 65 00:04:37,440 --> 00:04:44,720 » good morning. Uh the property is located at 4255 Florida Road. Uh it's 66 00:04:42,160 --> 00:04:49,759 approximately 93 acres. Uh the applicant's requesting to split off five 67 00:04:46,960 --> 00:04:54,639 acres to go to the RE district uh to give to his grandson um in order to 68 00:04:52,400 --> 00:04:59,840 finish construction of a new residence. Uh there's currently existing water well 69 00:04:56,960 --> 00:05:03,680 that was done in August of 2025 and there's already an inground septic 70 00:05:01,360 --> 00:05:07,919 system that's been in place and approved. Uh notice was sent to five 71 00:05:06,160 --> 00:05:11,520 surrounding property owners. We did not receive anything for or against it. Uh 72 00:05:10,160 --> 00:05:15,520 planning commission did recommend approval. 73 00:05:12,639 --> 00:05:19,120 » Okay. [clears throat] Anybody have any questions? No. 74 00:05:17,039 --> 00:05:23,960 » Regarding it? >> Make a motion to approve 2605-047. 75 00:05:25,520 --> 00:05:29,360 » Second. >> All right. It's been moved and seconded. 76 00:05:28,479 --> 00:05:30,720 » Commissioner Ray, >> yes. 77 00:05:29,759 --> 00:05:32,080 » Commissioner Harris, >> yes. 78 00:05:31,039 --> 00:05:33,039 » Commissioner Stomire, >> yes. 79 00:05:32,400 --> 00:05:37,680 » Chair Met, >> yes. All right. Thank you. All right. 80 00:05:35,759 --> 00:05:41,280 Moving on. Consider resolution of the Franklin County Board of County 81 00:05:39,039 --> 00:05:45,680 Commissioners granting a temporary moratorum on the planning, 82 00:05:43,280 --> 00:05:51,199 establishment, construction, application for for or permitting of any special use 83 00:05:48,720 --> 00:05:56,000 permits for data centers or related activities and components associated 84 00:05:53,520 --> 00:06:01,919 with data centers in the unincorporated areas of Franklin County, Kansas until 85 00:05:58,560 --> 00:06:06,960 December 31st, 2028. Derek, >> yeah, thanks Sabrina. Um this cover 86 00:06:04,240 --> 00:06:12,639 sheet obviously speaks for itself. As the four of you will recall, this came 87 00:06:09,440 --> 00:06:18,720 up um during your commissioner reports last week. You had asked staff to 88 00:06:14,800 --> 00:06:23,759 prepare this as an item. Um this is a moratorum. 89 00:06:20,240 --> 00:06:31,120 Um the purpose of it, at least from from staff perspective, is to allow us time 90 00:06:27,840 --> 00:06:37,120 to get into our comp plan um where we can have a more robust 91 00:06:34,240 --> 00:06:44,880 discussion about not only data centers but also um renewable energy. 92 00:06:40,880 --> 00:06:50,800 Um this moratorum would extend until December 31st, 2028. But I know at the 93 00:06:48,400 --> 00:06:58,160 staff level, we hope to have the comp plan done by then. And once the comp 94 00:06:54,720 --> 00:07:03,759 plan is done and the the five of you are content with the regulations, with the 95 00:07:00,639 --> 00:07:09,280 update, then I would anticipate potentially removing this because this 96 00:07:06,880 --> 00:07:16,639 will be addressed in the new comp plan. But we do feel like through the end of 97 00:07:12,240 --> 00:07:20,639 28 gives us ample time um to get that comp plan completed. Hence the the date 98 00:07:19,360 --> 00:07:24,560 that we put on that. >> Okay. 99 00:07:22,160 --> 00:07:27,840 Does anybody have any specific questions or comments 100 00:07:26,880 --> 00:07:30,400 regarding >> We do have two public comments. 101 00:07:29,120 --> 00:07:34,319 » Oh yeah, we do have public comments. Sorry, 102 00:07:32,160 --> 00:07:37,319 » we can start with that. Okay. Michael Lewis. 103 00:07:37,850 --> 00:07:39,870 [snorts] 104 00:07:40,560 --> 00:07:48,960 » Morning, commissioners. Michael Lewis, Auburn, Kansas. Um, I wanted to speak in 105 00:07:45,360 --> 00:07:53,039 support of the moratorum yell drone up. Uh, when you look at data centers, 106 00:07:50,639 --> 00:07:58,400 there's three things they need. Water, electric, and a willing jurisdiction to 107 00:07:55,039 --> 00:08:01,440 plant their feet. Um, I've heard Commissioner Harris speak last week. 108 00:07:59,919 --> 00:08:05,440 He's not too sure if we need this because they might not want to come 109 00:08:02,800 --> 00:08:10,160 here. Well, I'd say what a development proposal with Proximity Park would beg 110 00:08:07,280 --> 00:08:14,800 to differ. It might we don't have utilities. Look 111 00:08:12,319 --> 00:08:18,879 at Al Cove and Oawadami. They're running high voltage energy transmission lines 112 00:08:17,199 --> 00:08:26,479 from Lacine. So, they'll bring their power. They'll take our water. Um, 113 00:08:23,759 --> 00:08:31,039 I'd say let's just get past the bubble. There's a lot going up. They're not even 114 00:08:28,560 --> 00:08:35,039 sure if they're going to make money. So to ensure we're not simply a playground 115 00:08:33,039 --> 00:08:38,479 for private equity, I'd actually recommend regardless of the comp plan to 116 00:08:36,800 --> 00:08:42,320 go ahead and extend the south a full three years to September 2029. 117 00:08:41,839 --> 00:08:44,959 » Thank you. >> All right. Thank you. 118 00:08:44,399 --> 00:08:48,360 » Next, >> Teddy Love. 119 00:08:52,560 --> 00:08:57,360 » Good morning. >> Good morning. [laughter] 120 00:08:55,120 --> 00:09:02,240 » Um, so I'm Teddy Love. My husband and I, Tam and I live on the north side of 121 00:08:59,279 --> 00:09:05,839 Ottawa. Um, so [laughter] we have only lived here for about six 122 00:09:04,000 --> 00:09:10,480 years, so we don't know all the background about Proximity Park and 123 00:09:08,080 --> 00:09:16,240 everything and had not even seen it until about two weeks ago. We drove 124 00:09:12,320 --> 00:09:22,240 through there and wow, [laughter] it's amazing, you know, what they what 125 00:09:18,800 --> 00:09:27,360 they've done out there to prepare it for um something to come in and something 126 00:09:23,920 --> 00:09:33,040 needs to be there. However, when you look at the farmers that are right 127 00:09:29,920 --> 00:09:38,959 there, the cows and the people, I mean, Jessica lives a mile from from there. 128 00:09:35,920 --> 00:09:45,839 And so, you know, we were just shocked that um that something of this magnitude 129 00:09:42,959 --> 00:09:51,760 could possibly go in there and without any environmental studies being done. Um 130 00:09:49,440 --> 00:09:58,160 so we're just here in support asking you to please yes consider um doing this 131 00:09:55,600 --> 00:10:03,360 moratorum um for the incorporated areas. We know that it's that that that city at 132 00:10:01,200 --> 00:10:08,720 proximity park and you guys are talking about unincorporated areas. So if we're 133 00:10:06,560 --> 00:10:14,880 understanding that correctly are we that that it's more the county unincorporated 134 00:10:11,120 --> 00:10:17,839 areas, right? Okay. And uh so we'll continue the fight at the city, but 135 00:10:16,362 --> 00:10:23,040 [laughter] we just wanted to come in support of until all the studies and 136 00:10:21,120 --> 00:10:27,920 talking and the [clears throat] bubble and all that can get done. Thank you. 137 00:10:26,079 --> 00:10:33,519 » Thank you. >> All right, that's all we have beyond 138 00:10:31,440 --> 00:10:39,519 discussion with this thoughts. 139 00:10:37,600 --> 00:10:45,200 I agree fully on just having that broader discussion of how we want to see 140 00:10:42,240 --> 00:10:49,200 county go in the future. We've been trying to get this process going and we 141 00:10:47,600 --> 00:10:53,360 can finally get there. So, >> yeah. 142 00:10:51,279 --> 00:10:58,000 » Well, and and I said this last week, I want to say it again. I 143 00:10:56,240 --> 00:11:03,040 we still and we'll have these discussions publicly with the five of 144 00:11:00,160 --> 00:11:08,240 you, but we need to have a discussion several discussions. First, when it 145 00:11:05,279 --> 00:11:13,279 comes to the comp plan, what the five of you would like to see. I mean, it can be 146 00:11:10,640 --> 00:11:20,320 anything from updates to the current plan 147 00:11:17,200 --> 00:11:26,000 to a complete gutting and rewrite. But when you get into that, I mean, that is 148 00:11:23,279 --> 00:11:30,320 not something we feel capable of doing at the staff level. So, you're talking 149 00:11:28,160 --> 00:11:35,519 about consultant groups, you're probably talking about a six figure expense. This 150 00:11:33,440 --> 00:11:41,680 is a discussion that needs to be had, but I don't know if we feel like that is 151 00:11:38,720 --> 00:11:48,079 necessary at the staff level. I think that we need to have a discussion about 152 00:11:44,399 --> 00:11:52,640 renewable energy and data centers. And I regardless of what this looks like, I am 153 00:11:50,240 --> 00:11:59,360 going to recommend that we do that first because that is a very relevant topic, 154 00:11:56,480 --> 00:12:05,120 both of those. and we've got folks that um have interest in that topic and would 155 00:12:02,800 --> 00:12:10,639 like to see action. So, I would recommend that when we get there, we 156 00:12:07,120 --> 00:12:16,079 lead with that. And then after that, we get into some of the more mundane stuff 157 00:12:14,000 --> 00:12:20,160 that we just see over and over in planning and zoning that most folks 158 00:12:17,760 --> 00:12:26,639 aren't going to. you get to talking about like just general setbacks from 159 00:12:23,040 --> 00:12:31,839 rideaways or I mean Nathan and Ded especially could talk about the things 160 00:12:28,720 --> 00:12:37,440 that just need amended but that that is going to be I think what we propose but 161 00:12:35,120 --> 00:12:41,839 I think and I've said this to you before just starting to think about are you 162 00:12:39,200 --> 00:12:46,160 content just updating what we have or do you want to bring somebody in just to 163 00:12:44,000 --> 00:12:52,800 completely gut it or are you thinking something else entirely? So, but we'll 164 00:12:50,000 --> 00:12:57,680 we'll cross that bridge soon enough. But we're starting to have those discussions 165 00:12:55,120 --> 00:13:06,519 internally and I would expect there to be some degree of discussion this fall 166 00:13:00,800 --> 00:13:06,519 planning on a early 2027 start. 167 00:13:07,319 --> 00:13:14,480 [clears throat] >> Any other thoughts? 168 00:13:11,600 --> 00:13:21,600 » Uh I think the more talking the more we'll do. I I can remember back about 169 00:13:18,639 --> 00:13:27,839 three years ago maybe when this all started conversation and I was at a 170 00:13:24,639 --> 00:13:32,959 state KC meeting and I mentioned that there was talk of it and most of the 171 00:13:30,720 --> 00:13:38,560 people didn't even know what we were even talking about. So the 172 00:13:35,760 --> 00:13:44,720 education of and and and what's happening, what's going is that is 173 00:13:41,600 --> 00:13:50,240 moving so fast. People getting educated on what it is and what it does. And you 174 00:13:47,680 --> 00:13:54,399 know, three years ago, most people, you mentioned data center, they didn't even 175 00:13:51,839 --> 00:14:00,160 know what you were talking about, you know, and I think now it's it's got to 176 00:13:56,880 --> 00:14:05,519 the point that uh everybody's getting a lot more knowledgeable about what it is 177 00:14:03,279 --> 00:14:11,279 and what it does and what it can happen, what it could cause. And so I think it's 178 00:14:08,639 --> 00:14:16,399 a good thing that u we could give oursel a little more time 179 00:14:13,440 --> 00:14:20,560 to uh figure out and get it written into our policies. I'm sure there's still 180 00:14:18,399 --> 00:14:27,440 going to be things come up between now and the time we do it. So that's all I 181 00:14:23,760 --> 00:14:31,519 got. In the meantime, it avoids the situation where somebody would apply 182 00:14:30,000 --> 00:14:34,079 before it wouldn't be a good thing for the 183 00:14:32,880 --> 00:14:40,639 community. It wouldn't be a good thing for the applicant. It just we we're 184 00:14:36,800 --> 00:14:45,120 avoiding a uh a mess too in that way and I think it's the pretty straightforward 185 00:14:42,880 --> 00:14:51,480 uh um thing we're look that's in front of us 186 00:14:46,480 --> 00:14:51,480 and it's timely as well. 187 00:14:53,279 --> 00:14:57,839 Need a motion. >> I don't have anything. 188 00:14:56,160 --> 00:15:00,959 » Okay. Make a motion to approve a temporary 189 00:14:59,600 --> 00:15:07,519 moratorium on the planning, establishment, construction, application 190 00:15:03,839 --> 00:15:11,440 for or permitting of any special use permits or data centers or related 191 00:15:09,680 --> 00:15:16,720 activities and components associated with data 192 00:15:14,000 --> 00:15:23,240 centers in the unincorporated areas of Franklin County, Kansas until December 193 00:15:18,880 --> 00:15:23,240 3128, 2028. 194 00:15:23,760 --> 00:15:28,959 » There a second. >> Second. 195 00:15:26,959 --> 00:15:32,720 More discussion before we do this to make it legit. Everybody's good. All 196 00:15:31,920 --> 00:15:34,160 right. Well, now >> Commissioner Harris, 197 00:15:33,760 --> 00:15:35,680 » yes. >> Commissioner Sodtomire, 198 00:15:35,360 --> 00:15:37,120 » yes. >> Commissioner Waymire, 199 00:15:36,720 --> 00:15:39,680 » yes. >> Chair Meadow, 200 00:15:37,920 --> 00:15:43,920 » yes. Motion carries. 201 00:15:41,900 --> 00:15:43,920 [applause] 202 00:15:44,959 --> 00:15:49,759 » All right, that moves us on to staff reports. Anything else? 203 00:15:48,959 --> 00:15:54,720 » Hey, thanks. >> Okay, who else is in there? Sheriff, do 204 00:15:52,079 --> 00:16:00,320 you have anything? Nathan, Dustin, want to give us All right, Jeff. 205 00:15:57,360 --> 00:16:04,240 All right. Wow. All right. Nothing. Commissioners, anything to add? 206 00:16:02,720 --> 00:16:08,720 » Have anything? >> Um, last week I went to the Chamber 207 00:16:06,160 --> 00:16:12,720 Coffee for Life Care Center. Got to see Teddy there. Um, they've been in the 208 00:16:10,639 --> 00:16:19,920 community for 33 years, I think, doing wonderful things. Um after this I will 209 00:16:15,839 --> 00:16:25,199 be heading to Kate's THA campus for a secure energy initiative technical 210 00:16:22,240 --> 00:16:30,800 interchange meeting. So where I hope to gather more information to bring back 211 00:16:28,399 --> 00:16:36,266 that will help us when we're doing our comprehensive plan. 212 00:16:32,720 --> 00:16:40,399 » I had to add so move [laughter] 213 00:16:38,160 --> 00:16:46,199 » motion. Yes. Motion to adjurnn. Is there a second? 214 00:16:41,839 --> 00:16:46,199 » All in favor say I. All right.