Warren County commissioners approve routine agreements, hear resident’s concerns about data centers

Warren County commissioners met May 20, 2026, and unanimously approved a series of routine agreements, resolutions and appointments while addressing a public concern about potential data centers in the county. Commissioner Kenneth L. Klakamp called the meeting to order at 12:00 p.m. at the county building in Warren.

The meeting’s most substantive public exchange came when resident Piper Van Ord asked whether the public would have a say if a data center were proposed in the county. "Will the public have any say in what happens?" Van Ord asked. Commissioner Daniel Glotz responded that an ordinance amendment would be required, that the Planning Commission would make changes before a public hearing, and that "these do take a lot of power and water." The board did not take legislative action on the matter at the meeting; Glotz described the procedural steps that would be necessary should an application arise.

In routine reports, county finance director Bret Baillie reported that the county’s Tax Anticipation Note has been paid off, saving interest. Commissioner Tricia D. Durbin noted personnel openings, including an assistant district attorney and two probation officers, during the human resources update.

The board approved the consent agenda, which included minutes from the April 15, 2026 meeting, departmental reports and proclamations recognizing Remake Learning Days and National Foster Care Month. Following that, the commissioners moved through a set of New Business items, taking unanimous votes on each:

- Approval of an agreement with Beebas Place (Children & Youth Services), moved by Commissioner Tricia D. Durbin and seconded by Commissioner Daniel Glotz. - Renewal agreement with Advent Financial ("Pay My Jailer" agreement), moved by Commissioner Daniel Glotz and seconded by Commissioner Tricia D. Durbin. - Resolution No. 3325 authorizing the sale of excess property. - Resolution No. 3326 adopting Fair Housing policies for FY 2026. - An agreement with the Warren-Forest Economic Opportunity Council for a CDBG housing rehabilitation project. - A resolution appointing Palmetto Posting for tax claim services (item introduced as #3327 in the agenda; the transcript also shows #3227 in one place, a discrepancy noted in the public record). - Resolution No. 3328 adopting the Planning & Zoning fee schedule. - Appointment of Wes Ramsey to the Penn Soil RC&D board. - Approval of a $900 county match request for TAWC. - Acceptance of repository tax bids (Balmer #1 and Balmer #3). - Approval of an agreement with MCM Professional Services for hazard mitigation plan maintenance. - Approval of a stipulation to settle the Whirley tax reassessment appeal.

All motions recorded in the transcript passed unanimously; the three commissioners present (Kenneth L. Klakamp, Tricia D. Durbin and Daniel Glotz) are recorded as moving, seconding and approving the items. The meeting closed with brief commissioner comments and a unanimous vote to adjourn at 12:38 p.m.

The transcript shows a minor inconsistency in the resolution numbering for the tax claim services item (introduced as #3327 and later printed as #3227); that discrepancy appears in the meeting record and is noted here rather than corrected without external verification. Other specifics recorded during the meeting: the county paid off a Tax Anticipation Note (saving interest) and approved a $900 local match for TAWC. The board did not take any immediate legislative action on data-center policy; Commissioner Glotz described the amendment and public hearing process that would be required for any future proposal.