County Council Approves Big Hollow Energy Center Roadwork Authority as Village and HOA Concerns Dominate Public Comment
Council members also advanced a residential rezoning request, began preparing for a cautious 2027 budget, and heard competing perspectives involving Cedar Oak Sober Living and Peaceful Village.
By The Jefferson Review Staff
HILLSBORO, Mo. — The Jefferson County Council unanimously approved an ordinance authorizing work connected to the Big Hollow Energy Center during its Monday, August 10 meeting, while questions surrounding village governance, property annexation, a homeowners association, and a sober living facility dominated the public comment portion of the evening.
Council members also advanced a residential rezoning request in District 6, approved two board reappointments, and heard that county officials are taking a cautious approach as they begin preparing the 2027 budget.
Big Hollow Energy Center Infrastructure
The council voted 6 to 0 to approve Bill No. 26-07199, authorizing the county executive, upon the recommendation of the director of public works, to take action involving agreements, plans, and construction needed to improve county-maintained roads and infrastructure serving Ameren’s Big Hollow Energy Center development.
The ordinance gives the county administration authority to move forward with work necessary to provide access and infrastructure support for the project.
Council members approved the bill without discussion during both its perfection and final passage.
Cedar Oak Supporters Share Stories of Recovery
Several speakers addressed the council regarding Cedar Oak Sober Living, a Christian recovery program located in the High Ridge area.
John Burks, speaking on behalf of Cedar Oak, said the program provides residents with structure, accountability, employment expectations, mentoring, Bible study, church involvement, and a community focused on rebuilding their lives.
Burks told the council that 33 men have successfully completed the Cedar Oak program during the past two years. He said men who have participated in the program have accumulated a combined 30,335 days of sobriety, representing more than 83 years.
“Those are not just numbers,” Burks said, explaining that each day represents another opportunity for a resident to rebuild relationships, maintain employment, and take responsibility for his future.
Burks also thanked Jefferson County officials for recognizing protections provided under the Fair Housing Act for people in recovery.
“Cedar Oak wants to be a good neighbor. We want to be accountable. We want to operate responsibly.”
Two Cedar Oak residents also shared personal accounts of recovery.
Adam Clayton, the program’s house manager, said he arrived at Cedar Oak in June 2025 needing more than a place to live. He described rebuilding trust, securing steady employment, reconnecting with his daughter, and now helping other men entering the program.
Johnny Mathis told the council that he was celebrating both his birthday and 191 days of sobriety. He said Cedar Oak welcomed him when he felt broken and without hope.
Mathis said he is now employed, accountable, and participating in weekly outreach efforts intended to help others who are struggling with addiction.
Residents Question Annexation and Oversight
Other speakers emphasized that they were not opposed to recovery programs but raised concerns about the location of Cedar Oak within Peaceful Village and whether the property was properly annexed.
Bradley Evans, who said he has been sober for 17 years, told the council that facilities such as Cedar Oak are needed. However, he questioned whether the building received appropriate oversight and whether its location inside Peaceful Village allowed it to avoid county building requirements.
Evans raised concerns involving setbacks, drainage, inspections, construction standards, and the building’s proximity to neighboring property and a county road.
“Cedar Oak is not a bad thing. I’m not here to say Cedar Oak is a bad thing.”
His concern, he said, was whether the building and property complied with the requirements that would have applied had the development remained within unincorporated Jefferson County.
Jon Jerome similarly asked county officials to investigate the building, its engineering, and the circumstances surrounding its construction.
Danielle Shannon focused her comments on the annexation process. She questioned whether the village possesses a signed petition from the property owners, notice of a public hearing, a record of that hearing, and documentation of an official vote.
Shannon also raised concerns about residents of the property remaining registered to vote within the village and the potential effect those votes could have on an attempt to dissolve Peaceful Village.
The claims made during public comment were not independently resolved during the meeting. The council’s public comment rules state that the period is not a question-and-answer session, and council members did not formally respond or take action on the matter Monday evening.
Williams Creek HOA Property Owner Seeks Help
Linda Schrader raised separate concerns involving the Williams Creek homeowners association and property she owns near the HOA.
Schrader said documents she received when purchasing the property in 2017 show that it is located in Rosedale rather than within the Williams Creek HOA. She said she later received an annual HOA bill that increased from $300 to $850.
She told the council that she has spent four years requesting records from the HOA while attempting to submit her dues. Schrader said she is now concerned that the HOA may place a lien on her property.
Schrader also raised questions involving property records and taxes associated with another home in the area. Her speaking time expired before she could complete her remarks.
The County Council listened to Schrader’s comments but did not take action. The county does not have jurisdiction over how homeowners associations are operated.
County Begins Preparing 2027 Budget
County Executive Dennis Gannon reported that preparations for the 2027 county budget are underway.
Gannon said he and the county auditor believe the county should continue taking a modest approach and anticipate minimal growth across revenue categories. Budget managers will be asked to keep their requests at or below current-year spending levels.
Initial budget meetings with the juvenile office and circuit courts have already been completed because of statutory deadlines. Meetings with department managers, budget managers, and elected officials are scheduled to begin in September and continue through October.
Gannon said county officials are also reviewing notes and recommendations from a recent council budget session and will attempt to incorporate those discussions into the proposed spending plan.
Residential Rezoning Advances
The council voted 6 to 0 to advance Bill No. 26-08209, a request to rezone a parcel in District 6 from Rural Agricultural RA-5 to Large Lot Residential LR-2.
Councilman Tim Brown said he personally favors preserving larger properties of five acres or more but did not find a legal basis within the county’s zoning plan to deny the application.
The measure was approved on its first reading and moved to perfection. It had not yet received final passage at the conclusion of Monday’s meeting.
Additional Council Action
The council also unanimously approved:
- The reappointment of Mary Dunagan to the Jefferson County Mental Health Fund.
- The reappointment of Chris Scheel to the St. Louis-Jefferson Solid Waste Management District.
- Corrections involving erroneous assessments or defects in personal and real property tax records. Councilman Charles Groeteke noted that most of the corrections resulted from court orders.
- The acceptance of property in District 7 for use as a family burial ground.
The council acknowledged the county treasurer’s June 2026 financial report before entering a closed session to discuss legal actions, potential litigation, and privileged communications with county attorneys.
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