BOCC Meeting for August 5, 2026

The Leavenworth County Board of Commissioners held a meeting on August 5, 2026, which featured extensive public commentary primarily focused on the proposed Project Bluestem data center and related environmental, health, and community impact concerns. Citizens expressed worries about noise, air pollution, electromagnetic fields (EMFs), water usage, and potential health risks, including effects on children and local wildlife. Several speakers urged the commission to extend the moratorium on data center applications to allow more time for study and community input. The board discussed but ultimately did not pass a resolution to extend the moratorium, which is set to expire soon. Additionally, the board approved the renewal of the county's employee health insurance plan with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas for the 2026-27 plan year. There was also discussion about legal counsel funding arrangements related to the data center project and concerns about transparency and conflicts of interest. The meeting concluded with administrative updates and recognition of recent local elections, highlighting the political divide over the data center issue.