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Board follows Project Micah (Google) data‑center proposal; district flags valuation and tax‑exemption concerns
Summary
Superintendent Justin Moss briefed the board on Project Micah (a proposed hyperscale data center, client described as Google), noting valuation differences, proposed tax exemptions and a Port KC vote scheduled for July 28 that could affect district revenues.
Superintendent Justin Moss updated the Smithville R‑II board on a large proposed data‑center development across from district property known in the meeting as "Project Micah." Moss said the client is understood to be Google and that the project has been described to the district as a hyperscale data‑center campus.
Moss said the developer’s initial proposal includes a tax‑exemption structure under consideration by Port KC and referenced discussion of Chapter 68 arrangements. He told the board the development as proposed could be “up to a $10,000,000,000 project” and that the parcel, as presented, would be 100% exempt from personal property. Under the initial agreement Moss referenced, the owner would pay 25% of real‑estate taxes as assessed by Clay County.
Moss described a valuation discrepancy between the neighboring completed data center and the proposed project, saying Clay County’s assessor valued the existing building at about $473 per square foot while the proposed project’s current valuation is closer to $200 per square foot. Moss and staff said those valuation and exemption terms are central to how the district expects any fiscal impact to be calculated.
Port KC has scheduled the matter to be considered by its board July 28; Moss said district representatives (including district legal counsel and Port KC contacts) have met with the applicant and that the district may ask board members to contact other elected officials, including Kansas City council members, as the process proceeds. “There may be a time where we ask you guys as elected officials to potentially reach out to other elected officials, particularly the Kansas City City Council,” Moss said.
District staff said they are participating in Port KC conversations, working with EdCounsel and other advisors, and monitoring both valuation methodology and the proposed tax‑abatement terms. Board members did not take a formal vote on the matter at the meeting; the item was framed as an update and an ongoing negotiation and monitoring effort.
The superintendent identified Port KC and Chapter 68 valuation arrangements as the principal decision points and said the district will continue to engage legal counsel and county assessors as the review proceeds.
