Earlier this summer, the Post asked our readers what issues you wanted to hear candidates running for De Soto mayor to address leading up to the Nov. 4 election.
Based on that feedback, we developed a five-item questionnaire centering the issues most important to De Soto residents.
Each day this week, we’re publishing the candidates’ responses to one question.
Today, we’re publishing candidates’ responses to the following question:
Data center: The city recently approved a plan for a new $3.1 billion data center along the Kansas River, comprising more than 1 million square feet in four buildings. Though relatively small compared to other data centers, these types of facilities have proven to be taxing on communities’ resources, with their high water and energy usage. What can the city do to ensure this project does not become a burden on city infrastructure or residents?
Below are the answers the Post received from candidates on this issue:
Robert Daniels
The Data Center project demonstrates our commitment to responsible growth that benefits De Soto residents. Through careful negotiation, we secured two crucial guarantees: First, the developer will fully fund all necessary power, water, and wastewater infrastructure upgrades – protecting residents from these costs. Second, they’ll pay standard utility rates, not reduced ones.
When fully operational, this project could generate up to $5.5 million in electric franchise fees alone, not including water and wastewater revenue. As one of few cities operating our own water and wastewater facilities, this additional revenue could lead to reduced utility rates for residents. While data centers typically raise concerns about power, water, and noise, our location and planning address these issues effectively. The facility’s industrial location near the highway minimizes community impact, and unlike central and western Kansas, our region has confirmed long-term water supply capacity. Additionally, Evergy’s ‘Path to Power’ plan ensures adequate power through three new generation plants plus expanded solar and wind resources.
This project secures economic benefits while protecting resident interests.
Rick Walker (incumbent)
The recently approved $3.1 billion data center project in the Flint Commerce Center represents another major investment in De Soto’s future. Projects of this scale bring significant opportunity but also require careful management to ensure they benefit our residents without straining local infrastructure or resources.
From the beginning, the City has been proactive in establishing clear expectations for the developer and safeguards for the community. The development agreement requires the project developer to fund all necessary infrastructure improvements, including water, wastewater, and electrical service. These costs will not fall on De Soto taxpayers or Evergy ratepayers. We have verified with Evergy that the necessary power to operate the facility is available within their existing system.
Our recent upgrades to the water treatment and wastewater systems were designed with future growth in mind. While the data center may utilize a portion of the City’s current excess capacity initially, the developer will be responsible for constructing the additional capacity needed to support their full operation.
This project will create new jobs and generate substantial revenue that helps maintain essential city services while keeping property taxes low. Once fully operational, the project is expected to create around 130 permanent jobs, hundreds more indirect and spin-off jobs, and approximately $5 million in annual franchise fee revenue for the City. With firm agreements in place and ongoing oversight, we can welcome this investment responsibly and ensure that it strengthens, rather than burdens, our community. De Soto’s approach to growth has always been about balance, planning, and accountability, and that same philosophy will guide our management of this project.
