LV COUNTY KS 2026-10-07

The Leavenworth County Board of County Commissioners meeting, held October 7, 2026, included a Public Works update with several infrastructure and purchasing items. Staff reported that County Route 30 was substantially complete, with punch-list work remaining, and estimated the full project at approximately $15 million; design, right-of-way acquisition, and utility coordination for its next phase were underway, with construction hoped for next fall. The county’s CIP includes work on Tonganoxie Drive beginning in 2028 and $6 million for the 155th Street/Field area project in 2029. Public Works also said it would bid stored chemicals this fall and noted that vehicles and equipment were on order, without specifying vendors or costs. No contract award or procurement vote was identified. The board approved FY26 community corrections outcome reports.

Much of the public comment and commissioner discussion concerned the proposed Project Blue Stem hyperscale data center, including transparency, environmental studies, development regulations, possible power generation, and whether the public should vote on the project. Staff described separate timelines for the data-center regulations and the pending land-use application and said the commission would direct staff’s negotiating goals; a commissioner sought to place a proposed memorandum of understanding tying future regulations to project agreements on a later agenda. Other business included a presentation on SBA disaster loans for storm-affected residents and businesses, election updates, a 4-H proclamation, and Council on Aging and development activity reports.