Jefferson County Council Approves Emergency Network Security Funding as Residents Raise Data Center Concerns

Tuesday’s meeting also brought a warning about rising employee health costs and discussion of stormwater rules and the High Ridge community center.

By The Jefferson Review

The Jefferson County Council unanimously approved emergency funding for professional services related to a network security threat during its Tuesday, Oct. 13, meeting, while residents urged county leaders to strengthen protections against potential impacts from large data center developments.

The meeting was held Tuesday instead of the council’s usual Monday schedule because of the Columbus Day holiday. All seven council members were present.

Along with the emergency ordinance, the council heard a detailed presentation on employee health insurance costs, received an update on the county’s annual audit and approved measures involving delinquent-tax property and election reserve funds.

County Responds to Network Security Threat

County Executive Dennis Gannon said the county had identified a security threat within its network over the preceding 10 days and intentionally taken the network offline while the situation was investigated.

Gannon said there were no indications of a data breach, but the county took precautionary steps to assess and mitigate any potential impact.

By Tuesday’s meeting, county departments were operational and conducting business, although some services had not returned to full capacity.

The council approved Bill 26-10256, authorizing emergency funds for professional services responding to the threat referenced in Gannon’s Oct. 6 press release. The ordinance also authorizes county officials to take the actions necessary to carry out that response.

The bill moved through introduction, perfection and final passage in the same meeting, receiving unanimous approval at each stage. The accelerated process was permitted under the county charter because the measure was an emergency ordinance.

The meeting also operated without a working public vote-tally display. Council members cast electronic votes and answered an audible roll call so those attending or watching could hear each member’s decision.

Residents Urge Caution on Data Centers

Public comments focused heavily on proposed hyperscale data centers and concerns about how nearby neighborhoods could be affected.

Speakers raised questions about construction noise, continuous operational noise, water supplies, property values and the long-term responsibilities of developers. Several urged the council to reject future projects or pause development until additional research and protections were in place.

One resident, a retired nurse who said she lives approximately 1,800 feet from a proposed development, described concerns about persistent noise and potential health effects. She asked the county to prohibit tax incentives and fee waivers and require developers to provide cash-backed funding for eventual decommissioning and remediation.

Another resident called for a moratorium of at least one year on future development, arguing that officials should allow more time to examine potential consequences.

A resident who said she had built her home on four-and-a-half acres near a proposed project described fears about years of construction, possible effects on her well and the value of her property.

She also described feeling caught between city and county government: living outside city limits, but close enough to a proposed city development to worry about its impacts.

Another speaker presented materials he described as developer concerns about the county’s draft data center regulations. He urged council members to preserve requirements addressing development plans, community benefits and local construction labor.

The health, environmental and property-value claims were presented by speakers during public comment. The council did not vote on a data center development, a ban or a moratorium during the meeting.

Rising Health Costs Put Pressure on County Budget

A benefits consultant told the council that the county’s partially self-funded employee health plan is experiencing an unusually expensive year after several years in which reserves benefited from favorable claims experience.

Under that arrangement, the county pays claims up to a specified threshold and purchases insurance protection against larger claims and excessive overall costs.

The consultant reported that 13 people covered by the plan had high claims approaching or exceeding the applicable stop-loss threshold in 2026. Reserves built during previous years help the county absorb those expenses.

The presentation also highlighted a longer-term concern: medical and prescription costs have risen while employee contributions have remained nearly flat.

The consultant said no increase in employee contributions was being proposed for the coming year, but urged county leaders to consider how future increases should be shared between the county and employees.

A change in stop-loss coverage was also discussed. Raising the threshold from $125,000 to $150,000 increases the county’s potential exposure by $25,000 on a qualifying large claim, while reducing insurance premiums by approximately $140,000, according to the presentation.

Council members asked about wellness incentives, preventive care, inflation and whether benefits had changed.

County representatives described existing efforts, including eliminating copays on certain maintenance medications and enhancing diabetes benefits. The consultant also reported that participation in preventive testing and doctor visits had increased substantially.

Audit and Regional Economic Development Update

Gannon distributed the county’s 2025 financial audit and single-audit reports, describing the auditor’s opinion as unmodified.

He said the audit indicated that the county’s financial statements fairly represented its financial condition and used acceptable accounting practices. The reports are available through the county’s website.

Gannon also announced that he had signed a memorandum of understanding with regional government leaders to collaborate on a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy.

The effort involves Jefferson, St. Charles, St. Louis and Franklin counties and the City of St. Louis, with assistance from the East-West Gateway Council of Governments. Gannon said the strategy is intended to meet federal Economic Development Administration requirements associated with seeking assistance.

Stormwater Rules and Community Center Remain Topics for Discussion

During discussion of previously requested changes involving stormwater velocity standards, Gannon said the public works director preferred to address the changes as part of a broader package of stormwater updates.

He acknowledged that the issue had been raised multiple times and said he would keep it in view.

Councilman Brian Haskins also sought discussion of the future of the High Ridge community center, including repairs and its role in fitness, health and wellness.

After discussion about how to bring the issue forward, Haskins withdrew his motion. Gannon indicated that the subject could be addressed through the upcoming budget process or a work session.

Other Council Actions

The council unanimously approved an ordinance authorizing the delinquent-tax trustee to sell specified District 6 property to the City of De Soto.

Members also approved a 2026 budget amendment transferring funds between election services reserve accounts and adopted a resolution authorizing disposal of county property declared surplus or scrap.

The council acknowledged receipt of preliminary budgets from five community improvement districts.

No closed session was held before adjournment.

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