Four Festus council members ousted week after data center approved

In Festus, Missouri, all city council incumbents—Jimmy Collier, Brian Wehner, Bobby Venz, and Jim Tinnin—were ousted in Tuesday's general municipal election, just one week after the council approved a new data center project. Mayor Sam Richards acknowledged the loss of experience but expressed readiness to work with the new council members. Residents cited the data center's approval as a primary reason for their votes, expressing disapproval due to environmental, water, and electricity concerns. They also raised issues regarding a perceived lack of transparency from city officials and potential violations of the Sunshine Law in the handling of the data center deal. Mayor Richards, however, maintained that the process was transparent and supported the data center for the financial growth it could bring to the city. Resident Tyler Scott, whose family lives near the proposed data center, voiced concerns about property value and health impacts, suggesting the council had not conducted enough research. Opponents, including Scott, hope the election outcome will either halt the project or lead to a more favorable deal for residents with increased transparency and environmental reports. An ongoing petition to recall Mayor Richards and other sitting council members is actively collecting signatures, demonstrating continued resident opposition to the city's approach to the data center development.