As people demand answers, El Dorado city manager responds to data center concerns
El Dorado City Manager David Dilner responded to public concerns about transparency regarding a possible data center project. Residents used open records requests to uncover emails about early discussions and non-disclosure agreements, leading to a packed city commission meeting. Dilner defended the economic development process as necessarily opaque due to competition and the need for discretion for potential businesses.
Residents of El Dorado, Kansas, are demanding answers regarding a potential data center development after obtaining hundreds of pages of emails through open records requests. KAKE News questioned City Manager David Dilner about the transparency of the process, particularly concerning early discussions and non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) that were signed by city officials and others involved.
Following a packed city commission meeting, many residents expressed frustration, with some alleging that "El Dorado Inc." (an economic development entity) was being controlled by the city manager to advance plans without public scrutiny. Dilner, however, defended the process, stating that economic development is inherently