Commissioners raise water, power and access concerns over proposed hyperscale data center

The chair reported on a recent city council meeting in a neighboring city where a developer proposing a large data center answered a long list of public questions. The chair said the developer "isn't going to ask for abatement" and that public attendees submitted roughly 150 questions to the city. He said the developer estimated water use at about "80,000 gallons a day."

Commissioners asked about utility arrangements and were told the facility's power would come through Evergy and the host city would likely collect a roughly 5% franchise fee. Commissioners also raised concerns about road access, the timing of construction (the chair said the developer hoped to start in 2028), and the potential community impacts if the project proceeds. No formal action or request to the board was recorded during the study session; commissioners said they were monitoring the local city's approvals process and public concerns.