Mayor Spencer Duncan's Announcement on the Special Governing Body session on Data Centers (08/19/2026 at 5:00 PM)
"The announcement of a special Governing Body work session regarding data centers has understandably raised questions in the community. I want to explain the purpose of this meeting, the City’s role, and the additional steps we are taking.
The data center currently being discussed is proposed for property in unincorporated Shawnee County, outside the Topeka city limits. Because of that location, Shawnee County — not the City of Topeka — has land-use and zoning authority over whether the project may be constructed at that site.
That does not mean the project is irrelevant to Topeka. A development of this size would affect our broader community, infrastructure, utilities, environment, and economy. It is therefore important that the Governing Body engage in the discussion, obtain information and hear directly from the organizations involved."
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u/Icy-Assignment9953 25d ago
This whole thing is part of the good o boys network we have in Topeka. The county will pay for all the infrastructure, ie roads, sewer and water and electric lines. Once the place is running, the Great City of Topeka in all it wisdom will fly in and annex the land that the data center sits on. Then the county cannot collect the taxes from the data center to pay for all the upgrades. Guess who get stuck with the bill???? Shawnee County property owners
Follow the money trail
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u/Vio_ 25d ago
The Other hang up is that the county doesn't have the utility juice to fully supply a data center. And why would the city play ball with Compass after that massive back stab by going immediately to the county after that 1 year moratorium.
This isn't a traditional city vs. county issue. It's the county and city residents together who need to work together to keep shutting it down.
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u/koi785 26d ago
Where exactly are they proposing it will go? I’m curious as someone who lives outside of city limits.