Festus City Council Sees Turnover Amid Data Center Dispute and Election Mishap

New council members sworn in as city addresses omitted treasurer race and ongoing opposition to proposed data center

Apr. 14, 2026 at 3:53am

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A dynamic, abstract painting depicting a city skyline with a prominent data center tower at the center, repeated in overlapping, geometric waves of dark blue, teal, and violet, conveying the sense of political and civic tension surrounding the data center project.The ongoing dispute over a proposed data center project has fractured the political landscape in Festus, Missouri, as new council members take office amidst an election mishap.Festus Today

Four newly elected Festus City Council members were sworn in on Monday, replacing four incumbent members amid continued controversy over a proposed data center project. Residents expressed hope that the new council members would work to stop the data center construction. However, another issue has emerged regarding the election itself, as the city treasurer's position was mistakenly omitted from the ballot, despite the incumbent's term expiring this month. The city clerk took responsibility for the error, which has strengthened calls from residents opposed to the data center to recall the remaining elected officials.

Why it matters

The Festus City Council election and the ongoing dispute over the proposed data center project have significant implications for the city's future. The new council members were elected on anti-data center and pro-transparency platforms, signaling a shift in the city's leadership and priorities. The ballot omission error also raises questions about the integrity of the electoral process and could potentially undermine public trust in the local government.

The details

The four newly elected Festus City Council members - Karl Weekley, Allen McCarthy, Dan Moore, and Rick Belleville - were sworn in on Monday, replacing four incumbent members. Residents expressed hope that the new council members would work to stop the construction of the proposed data center, which has been a source of controversy in the city. However, another issue has emerged regarding the election itself, as the city treasurer's position was mistakenly omitted from the ballot, despite the incumbent's term expiring this month. The city clerk, Leah Smith, took responsibility for the error, stating that it was a genuine mistake on her part. The Jefferson County Clerk, Jeannie Goff, confirmed that the treasurer position was not certified with the other positions, and that the agency did not receive a late filing notification, which would have required a judge's approval.

  • Candidate filings began on December 9 and ended on December 30.
  • The final certification date for the April 7 election was January 27.
  • The error was not discovered until January 27, after the deadline to notify the Election Authority of an upcoming election, and after the deadline in Section 105.025(B) of the Festus City Code, which requires a legal notice to be published in at least one newspaper of general circulation prior to the opening of the filing of candidates.

The players

Karl Weekley

Newly elected Festus City Council member representing Ward 1.

Allen McCarthy

Newly elected Festus City Council member representing Ward 2.

Dan Moore

Newly elected Festus City Council member representing Ward 3.

Rick Belleville

Newly elected Festus City Council member representing Ward 4.

Lori Eisenbeis

Festus City Treasurer, whose position was mistakenly omitted from the ballot, despite her term expiring this month.

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What they’re saying

“We're looking forward to working with you to stop this hyperscale data center from being constructed in our hometown.”

— Mary Fakes, Resident

“You actually represent the 72% of the citizens of Festus and the citizens of Jefferson County and Missouri and America.”

— Alexander Bischoff, Jefferson County resident

“The city delivers one of the best gifts they could give in the recall efforts by accidentally screwing up the treasurer election, the money person. When money has been the number one incentive in this whole process. Just real quick how big of a coincidence do we believe in here? Yeah!”

— John Youmans, Resident

“It was genuinely a mistake on my part and mine only. I did everything I did the year before, I missed one thing and I truly am sorry.”

— Leah Smith, Festus City Clerk

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on whether to allow the recall efforts against the remaining elected officials in Festus.

The takeaway

The Festus City Council election and the ongoing dispute over the proposed data center project have highlighted the importance of transparency and accountability in local government. The ballot omission error has further eroded public trust and strengthened calls for the recall of the remaining elected officials, underscoring the need for improved election processes and oversight in the city.