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Mercer County approves contracts and bills; resident asks for data center referendum
Summary
The commission approved multiple contracts and routine bills totaling $212,259.67, awarded roadwork contracts worth $256,956.95 combined, and recorded a public request for a ballot measure on whether Mercer County should allow a data center.
Mercer County commissioners approved several routine administrative items and contracts during the June 17 meeting and recorded a citizen request to place a data center question on the general election ballot.
Motions approved included the Beulah Little People Raffle Permit; a duplicate check issuance to Ron and Jackie Isaak ($1,377.18); the 2026 County Township Road Mileage Certification; and payment of bills totaling $212,259.67. The commission awarded the 2026 Mercer County Pavement Marking Project contract to West River Striping Company for $114,794.45 and the 2026 Mercer County Patching Project contract to Bechtold Paving Inc. for $142,162.50. The J2 Studio invoice for architectural design on the Beulah Building ($7,225) was approved.
Mercer County resident Darwin Knutson requested that the following measure be placed on the general election ballot: "Shall Mercer County allow the building of a data center in Mercer County? No — means, no data center will be built in Mercer County, Yes — means, a data center will be built with a community impact agreement." States Attorney Todd Schwarz addressed the legal and procedural steps for ballot measures. During the public comment period Tara Dukart, Sidney Snortland, Wes Klein and Michael Berg spoke; the minutes list the speakers but do not record the substance of their remarks.
The minutes note that a cooperating-agency request to the Bureau of Land Management will be sent to the states attorney for review and returned to a future agenda. The meeting adjourned at 11:37 a.m.; the next regular meeting is scheduled for July 1, 2026.
