The Warrenton Board of Aldermen approved seeking a credit rating from S&P and voiced their tentative approval of an agreement with MoDOT regarding the use of Warrenton police officers for work zone enforcement during their regularly scheduled meeting Sept. 16.

Warrenton City Administrator Brandie Walters told the board that the city had previously been approved by the voters for $13 million in bonds for the expansion of the wastewater treatment plant and well to the south. She said the city had already bonded $4.85 million in 2023 and was ready to go out for bond on the remaining $8.15 million. She said in order to do so the city would need to receive a credit rating from S&P and was presenting the council with a letter to move forward with an agreement with S&P for the credit rating. The cost for the service is $25,100. The aldermen approved the agreement by a unanimous 6-0 vote.

Walters also said MoDOT had approached city officials for a five-year general agreement for the Warrenton Police Department to provide a police presence in work zones along I-70. She noted that MoDOT has received a grant to pay for the city’s payroll for officers working in the work zone. She wanted to gauge the board’s position before providing the agreement for the next meeting.

Alderman Christine Wait said about the proposal, “I think it’s a great idea. We really need the presence out there. There is an accident every single day.”

Other members appeared to be in agreement with the proposal, though a vote on the matter will be at the next scheduled meeting of the board.

A few residents also spoke during the public hearing portion of the meeting again about the proposed data center in Warrenton.

County resident Raymond Bergeron, who said he is a resident of an adjacent property to the site of the proposed data center, said his main concern is water. He proposed that if the data center goes through he would propose that the city set a restriction that the facility use no more water than the average daily usage of the city currently and that the center be capped at that amount.

Area resident Cheryl Roberts said she still has questions about the zoning and annexation into the city of the proposed data center property as it will be at her back door. She said residents near the proposed site were never given any notice of the proposed annexation. She also voiced concerns that water usage at the proposed site would drain the wells of those in Warren County.

Resident Josh Chandler suggested pausing permit applications for new commercial and industrial development until the city is able to amend its local building codes. He also suggested the city revise ordinances in order to limit light pollution from new facilities as well as other related environmental issues.