Moratorium on battery storage systems delayed
Staff writer
County commissioners Tuesday delayed a decision on imposing a moratorium on commercial battery energy storage systems to add language proposed by Commissioner Clarke Dirks offering reasons for the moratorium.
County counsel Brad Jantz, who was not at the meeting, drafted the same resolution for Harvey County but did not include rationale mentioned by Dirks.
Dirks said data centers and battery storage used tremendous amounts of energy.
If demand increases, electric bills for residents would cost more, he said.
The use of water also would triple, so residents would pay more for this utility, too, Dirks said.
He also worried about the safety of battery facilities.
“When those lithium batteries catch on fire, you can’t put them out,” he said.
Battery energy storage systems and data companies look at Kansas as a place to conduct their operations without thinking about the effects to the public, he said.
City administrator Tina Spencer suggested it would make sense for Jantz to review changes before commissioners decide.
In other business Tuesday, all elected county employees except commissioners received salary increases for 2026 based on the county’s compensation and classification policy.
Commissioner Clarke Dirks made a motion to reduce commissioners’ salaries by 10%, but the motion failed by a 3-2 vote, with Commissioners Dave Crofoot, Kent Becker and Mike Benake voting in favor of keeping the pay rate the same as 2025. Commissioner Jonah Gehring voted for the 10% decrease.
The commission also addressed nuisance complaints about inoperable cars and tires on properties.
Planning and Zoning Director Sharon Omstead said it was tough for the county to enforce nuisance violations.
Municipalities have more power in enforcing such regulations, she said.
Dirks said if the county was going to enforce nuisance violations, the ordinances should apply to everyone, not just a few people.
Gehring suggested that a code enforcement officer, which other counties use, might help.
No action was taken.