May 6, 2026 The Bates County Commission met with Presiding Commissioner Jim Wheatley, Northern Commissioner John Gray and Southern Commissioner Trent Nelson present.
Jami Page wrote a bid for the audit and presented it to the Commission. John Gray made the motion to have Jami proceed with putting the audit out for bid. Jim Wheatley seconded the motion. All were in favor. Motion carried. Trent Nelson was absent for the vote. The bid will be opened on May 27th at 10 a.m. Jim Wheatley told Jami and John that he has heard several complaints from other elected officials about the HR Company the county hired. They think that this company is going to take over the HR functions for the county. John asked Jim which elected officials were complaining but Jim wouldn't say. Jim asked Jami to email the proposed personnel policy to all elected officials and explain to them that this company was hired to revise our current policy and to provide sexual harassment training. They are not taking over HR services. The County Clerk's Office will continue their HR duties. At 1:34 p.m. John Gray made the motion to go into closed session per 610.021(1). Jim Wheatley seconded the motion. All were in favor. Motion carried. Trent Nelson was not present for the vote.
At 2:23 p.m. Trent Nelson made the motion to go into open session. John Gray seconded the motion. All were in favor. Motion carried. Chad Wiley, Brent Bettels and Brandon Neider came in to touch base and asked if the Commission could give an update on the Clearway Solar Project. Brent asked the Commission to lead first as he has a list of questions and would like to give them the opportunity to maybe answer them first.
Jim told him that they just had a discussion with another company who is reporting back with a new proposal. He seen a few places to add some questions and negotiations that the Commission did not have listed and are going to wait and see what they say.
Brent asked what those specific topics looked like, that had not been in there previously, and Jim said that one of them is sirens and Clearway working with the City directly themselves. They have been in contact with the Mayors of the cities, getting ideas of what they need and coming up with an amount for them and go from there. Brent said that he was aware that Rob, the Mayor of Amoret, had been in contact and had given him some topics that would be beneficial to Amoret. Things like a Community Center, reroofing and sirens. Jim stated that he believes that taking these concerns and topics to the council and the mayor of the city will be more beneficial. He explained that the Commission getting involved might make these companies question if they are taking care of the towns or trying to take care of their portion of things. Brent reminded him that he said that same thing before, let the two towns deal with their own side of things but have a coordinated effort from the Commissioners as well.
Jim said if it comes to the Commission, it will become a taxation issue. Brent asked why it would become a taxation issue and Jim explained that it must be divided out among other entities so it’s best if the town deals with these matters on their own. Brent agreed and said let the Community Betterment Agreement be done by the cities and it would be incorporated into the Chapter 100 Bond as an exhibit or something of that matter. Brent then had a question about the bond. He reminded the Commission they he had previously mentioned he didn’t feel the need to keep coming back here if the PILOT payment was going to be distributed among the taxing entities but had heard rumors that it might have been changed so he came back. Jim reassured him that is how it is going to be divided out.
Chad asked if there were more than one Community Betterment Agreement and Jim reminded him that each city will have their own, from what he is understanding. Chad was unsure if there was going to be just one agreement that covered both cities. He also wanted to make sure that all of the negotiations that were to be an exhibit on the bond will be previously negotiated before they sign, to which Jim reassured him that was correct. John then mentioned that the Commission has nothing to do with the towns Community Betterment Agreements. Brent wants to make sure that these are written in the Bond, that way a year later they don’t halt all agreements, but Jim stated that both cities will have exhibits inside the Chapter 100 Bond. Jim asked among the group if he was correct and Brent asked if he could verify that with Clearway. He also asked if the Commission had spoken to any other counties about how they did things. John said yes and Jim stated that he had made a phone call to Cape Girardeau. Brent brought to light that there were agreements put in bonds with other counties that if a public utility were to purchase the solar farm, it automatically starts as property tax. Jim said that he thinks he finally found that spot he’s talking about, and it is in there, but Brent asked him to verify and make sure.
Brent stated that the Commission should roll it to property tax if they don’t get setbacks or anything else that benefits the people. If they get nothing in return, why not do that? He then asked about the Cost Benefit Analysis that he spoke over previously and recommended MarksNelson for that to which Jim stated that he believes that the Commission is looking into doing that and he would check and make sure. Brent said knowing this information would be very enlightening to see. He spoke with Miami and got good information as to where this money could go for them and help them excel. He says this is something he is going to stand firm on receiving as Clearway knows what the Cost Benefit is, already.
Chad then mentioned if they go belly up, they should be certain to have already had it set in stone the amount they get is already given, instead of waiting for it over the 20-year period. He knows that is not a certainty but at the chance that it happens; the county is covered.
Brent agreed and explained that Clearway is looking at it as a savings since they will not have to pay the millions in sales tax with Chapter 100 Bonds in place. They’re saving roughly 32 million just in the first four years, which is why they are listening to wants and needs of the town and doing things to better the city. If they must spend a portion of that savings to still save money in the end, they’ll do it.
They then spoke about the berms that are being requested that Clearway was not necessarily on board for and have now caught wind that they are looking into how much that is going to cost. Chad asked when that conversation happened and John reminded him that in a previous meeting they asked the Commission to present a list of things they want the Commission to fight for but Chad was only confused because when he spoke to Josh at the meeting in Miami, he made it seem like the berms were not going to happen.
Brent asked the Commission to stay on Clearway, as they play the broke card and use the excuse that they don’t have the money for this or that. They have a lot of money for these things and can approve all these requests and still have savings left over, rather than paying millions in property and sales tax.
Chad asked, just out of curiosity, if there was any way they could find out what’s listed on the Community Betterment Agreement that way they aren’t double dipping and ask for something that has already been listed. Jim says that he has not seen any Community Betterment Agreement, as the cities are dealing with that alone. Chad just wanted to look and see what’s on the list, as he believes its small-scale money compared to what they allocated to spend.
Brent then pointed out that the berms will not be on the Community Betterment Agreement. That is something that the county will have to fight for. Jim said that they will have to set it up and see how much per property that would be. Brent then mentioned that the townships/landowners don’t have luxury of a Community Betterment Agreement and are really limited on what they can ask for, that’s why he wants the Commission to fight for this on the Bond and fight for things that will help the landowners. Brent is under the impression they can’t form a Community Betterment Agreement, Chad thought maybe so, and Jim said he had no idea but there might be a good chance that they can. Brent asked if Jim could ask GilmoreBell about that. John said that he is unsure but thinks they cannot. He stated that after they offered all this stuff, he doesn’t think they’d extend yet another offer of the sort. He states that, as Brent mentioned, they know what they’re making and what the townships are making and the townships are going to make bank. Brent says that they won’t do too bad, but Brandon says that it sounds like the townships could be compensated a little better. Brent stated again, the townships will do fine, but this isn’t earth moving compensation, by any means. He explained that he was thinking that it might be around $40,000-$50,000 a year. Chad stated that he believes the townships get .1082% of the pilot. Brent says all of this will help but they have millions that the townships aren’t even touching so if they can find ways to better the project for the township, then why not tap into the funds that we can’t even imagine they have allocated to spend.
Chad then asked if they do end up having the opportunity to have a Community Betterment Agreement, like the city, he wondered why John mentioned they wouldn’t be offered anymore. John explained that he didn’t say they wouldn’t be offered, he’s just unsure of how many they will offer. He doesn’t think they would be willing to offer one in addition to what the township is already getting. Chad then wanted clarification that the cities do not get anything except the Community Betterment Agreement.
Brent then brought up the Road Use Agreement that will be within the Chapter 100 Bond. He asked the Commission to tell them every time Clearway taps underneath that road, they should be charged for that and that fee will go back to the township. Brent has seen other counties do this, as well as MoDot or the Railroad, who do the same thing. Jim mentioned that he thinks that would go back to Road and Bridge and John said that would deal with zoning rules. Brent then reminds them that we are not zoned, so they would like to have this benefit. Jim said that he would talk to Steve and see if he could add that.
Chad asked if there have been any other towns that have spoken with the Commission over the Solar Farms and mentioned that they are trying to clear up rumors that have been spreading. Brent mentioned that he heard that Butler School District had asked for money from this and has heard this same rumor from several different sources. John said that he had not heard that, and Jim asked where that came from. Trent mentioned that someone had asked him about this same thing at the Clearway meeting and he, too, has not heard anything about that.
John then informed the group that the more money they put towards the Community Betterment Agreements, the less they can negotiate in the Chapter 100 Bond. Chad said that Clearway is once again poor mouthing, and Brent thinks that they have plenty enough money to do what they have asked for, such as the berms and everything that has been asked for in the Community Betterment Agreements with money left over. Brent asked the Commission to keep pushing for it because he knows they have the means to do this. He then pointed out that he knows some of these concerns are getting back to Clearway because they are now putting fescue around the panels to help prevent erosion. He was pleased to hear that but encouraged them to keep pushing on the topics that the Townships are asking for.
Brent then brought up Commercial vs. Agriculture taxing. He stated he would still like to see the Cost Benefit Analysis or at least the Commission review it and see what that looks like. Jim told him that he has called other counties, but no one would give him the information on the leasehold fixture values. Brent said that he spoke with Scott from Henry County, and they provided the information to him, valuing $20,000 an acre and asked him what the cap rate on these projects were and what they are doing. They discussed those numbers. Brent then mentioned that the Commission needs to make sure that there isn’t something in the bond stating that they can’t change the land from agriculture to commercial. He asked them to ask Clearway for the overlay that Josh promised they would provide. He thinks the overlay will take care a lot of the issues and concerns that the cities and townships have. Chad then mentioned that he was informed that the overlay will be changing rapidly throughout this process.
Christina Landis later joined and mentioned that she heard from the horse’s mouth that there are plans for a data center to be put on Shilo Ranch(?) and she was here to provide that information to the Commission and ask if they knew about this. She said she cannot provide the name of the person who told her this information but reminded them it came from the horse’s mouth. John, Trent and Jim quickly informed her that they had heard nothing about such matters. Brent seemed confident that a data center was not going to be happening, mentioning that the terrain of that property would be rather difficult to build on. He also pointed out that he’s not saying it won’t happen, but Clearway and NextEra do not have an interest in putting data centers anywhere, that’s not their focus.
Trent explained the taxation process, the way he understood, which led Brent to question some things on how Evergy is taxed vs. how Osage Valley is taxed. They tax Osage Valley on their Infrastructure, so Brent is wondering how they tax Evergy. He doesn’t want to make decisions out of fear and end up making things worse, pertaining to the State trying to money grab from this project. He then started crunching numbers and pointing out that large numbers that the County could have within the first number of years through property tax that is significantly more than what they will make the entire process. Jim questioned that amount and asked how much of that total they would receive because the state will get a lump sum out of it. Brent then told Jim how much the County would receive, but John stated those numbers aren’t accurate due to the sheet having just an estimated work up. Brent then reminds him that’s why he is asking for the Commission to speak with MarksNelson and get the Cost Benefit Analysis ran so they have the actual numbers and can look at both sides of the scale and make their decision accordingly. Jim then asked Brent if he understood what he was trying to say, if the state finds out this much money is coming from these projects, they are going to be asking for their part of it. Brent reminded him that the State already knows this is happening to which Jim pointed out that most are Chapter 100 protected. Brent agreed but explained that he truly believes that Chapter 100 isn’t the way to go, as he has now found out that other Counties are starting to regret doing them. Counties have now realized what they have missed out on money wise and realized they could have got more money in the first few years than they are getting for the entire project.
Jim asked how much the depreciation value was for the land assessment, so Brent just quickly summed up what he was trying to say instead. He told Jim that the county could receive more money in the first five years through property tax vs. the amount the county is going to receive over the entirety of the project if they go with the Chapter 100 Bond. He then stated this is why it is so important that the Commission ask about the Cost Benefit Analysis.
Trent asked and made sure that MarksNelson could for sure get that Cost Benefit Analysis, and Brent reassured him that is their primary consulting side of their business. Brent stated that he isn’t being argumentative, he is just looking out for everyone and wants to make sure that Commission looks at this from all sides so they can make the best decision for the County, that way they can’t look back and regret that they didn’t look at the other outcome and realize they lost out on millions. He thinks just because other counties have done Chapter 100 Bonds, doesn’t mean that is what Bates County should do. Trent then asked if they chose to tax the operation, will there be Agreements that stay in place. Brent and Chad said no. Either way, Clearway is ready and prepared to build these projects here due to where the logistics of where power lines are located. Brent continues to encourage them to figure out the costs and numbers on each side of the equation, that way they can say that they did their due diligence and can say that truthfully and can explain why they went the route they chose. Jim stated that he is still worried about the state coming in and taking the money they receive from this if they decide to tax them instead of agreeing to the bond.
They then spoke about the project being too big to fail, even if the operation goes belly up with one company, another company will purchase it and run it for less money and still be able to stay afloat. Which then lead them to talk about there not being anything in the Chapter 100 Bond about who they can and cannot sell too, but no matter what they must honor everything that is set and agreed on in the bond. Brent then stated that they should investigate putting in there that they cannot sell to Evergy, as this will surely make Clearway stick to the program and not sit there at an idle under a straw buyer making a profit, as well as Evergy making money due to not being taxed. If they do sell to Evergy, he thinks they need to have it agreed in writing that it switches over the Property Tax.
Trent made a point to mention that John, Jim and himself are all wanting to do what best for everyone and what gets the most money. Brent said he understands and that they aren’t coming in to beat anyone up, they just want to make sure there is progress on their concerns and answers to their questions. Chad stated that he wants to make sure that all the data is being evaluated and look through thoroughly that way the right choice is made and was made by an informed decision.
Brent brought up the berms and setbacks and such that they are asking the Commission to fight for, for the township. He mentioned that they are coming in with a set amount that they cannot go over, and they of course are going to try and keep as close to the low end of that amount so they are going to say no to a lot, but if the Commission pushes a little, Brent is confident that they will eventually give. They have the funds; they just don’t want to spend them if they don’t have to. Chad asked the Commission not to become convinced that they Clearway doesn’t have the money to do some of the things that they are asking for.
Chad then asked who he should contact to check the progress of the Community Betterment Agreements. He said that he doesn’t like to keep coming back into the office and asking when the Commission doesn’t know the answer, since they are being negotiated directly between Mayor(s) and Clearway.
May 11, 2026 The Bates County Commission met with Presiding Commissioner Jim Wheatley, Northern Commissioner John Gray and Southern Commissioner Trent Nelson present.
Kacie Robey, with the Treasurer/Collectors Office, came in and explained to the Commission what Governmentor was requesting of her office and Carl Bettels, the Assessor’s Office. They are now wanting payment up front, but Kacie negotiated back and forth. They have now agreed for the payment be put into an escrow, where there will be two payments dispersed to Governmentor for each of these offices as the process begins and ends with switching over the data of the county to Ulrich, the new software.
The first payment is due May 14th, but that strikes an issue, as this was such late notice. The check will now more than likely need to be hand delivered to their drop box in Kansas City.
Jim asked if a motion was needed for Kacie to receive the check she needed, and with being unsure he said he would check with Jami.
Kacie came back in and gave some updated information to the Commission over the Bid Proposal from Governmentor. She feels as if she should just write the entire amount owed for the escrow, since these offices’ completion dates are a month apart. Jim says to get everything lined up correctly so she can get it paid and asked what Hugh Jenkins had said about all of this. He says that there isn’t much they can do since there was nothing in their contract from 1997 stating anything about switching and releasing data. He called and made sure that the full amount was not going to be distributed, just so he can be sure to finish the job before getting the full amount.
John asked Kacie what the full amounts were and she informed him that the Assessor's Office would be $29,070.00 with a completion date of July 15th. The Treasurer/Collectors Office came to $28,829.30 with a completion of date of August 15th.
Chaz Needham came in and discussed an issue he discovered with the Assessor’s Office. He visited the Assessor's Office to pay his balance and discovered that there was a 2017 Dodge that had been wrongfully taken off his assessment. He stated that the only truck that was supposed to be taken off was a Ford Ranger that he scrapped in 2023. When he requested that truck be taken off, he was asked for proof, so he presented them with the receipt he had from the scrap yard. On that receipt it also listed the make and model of the vehicle that hauled the scrap to the yard, so they chalked it up to being removed due to that information of the 2017 Dodge being listed. Chaz also stated that the lady in the office admitted that it was wrongfully taken off but continued to be hateful about the situation. John asked who he spoke with and Chaz stated that it was Meghan that he was spoke with.
Jim said that it was up to John and Trent to make the decision on what they think should happen from here. John stated that he doesn’t believe he should have had to pay all the late fees from adding the truck back to his assessment but was not going to vote or make a motion due to knowing Chaz for a long time.
Trent made a motion to wave the penalties for his 2025 taxes due to a computer issue. Jim seconded the motion. John did not vote. Motion carried. No opposition.
