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Polk County commission directs drafting of crypto‑mining/AI restrictions and a county policy on crypto use
Summary
After discussion of noise and power-line siting concerns, commissioners asked county attorney and a committee to draft an ordinance or resolution restricting crypto‑mining operations and to bar county receipt or use of cryptocurrency pending further review.
Polk County commissioners directed the county attorney and an at-large committee to draft language for a county ordinance or resolution addressing cryptocurrency mining and county use of crypto, and they agreed to place the draft on next month’s agenda.
Commissioners and staff said the primary concerns are noise, siting near TVA power lines and uncertainty about enforceability under state law. The county attorney said the commission may not be able to prohibit private citizens or businesses from “exchanging crypto” outright, but said Polk County could adopt rules limiting county involvement and could draft an ordinance addressing noise and operational impacts.
A motion asked county staff to prepare a resolution or ordinance for review and to consider a temporary hold on new mining operations until the commission acts. Commissioners also proposed that Polk County “not be involved in receipt or of payments or making payments or utilizing crypto in any fashion” until the issue is resolved.
Why it matters: commissioners cited experience in neighboring jurisdictions and asked for a cautious approach given competing state-level proposals and uncertain enforcement powers at the county level. They said the draft should address nuisance issues and clarify county financial policies regarding cryptocurrency.
Next steps: the county attorney will draft proposed language and work with a small committee of commissioners; the draft will return to the commission at the next meeting for consideration.
