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Hood County hires law firm for economic development as residents demand stricter rules on data centers and power plants
Summary
Commissioners approved an engagement letter with law firm Bracewell and set aside up to $25,000 to advise on economic‑development matters, including potential use of Local Government Code Subchapter K, as residents urged stricter water, noise and air protections for proposed data centers and power plants.
Hood County Commissioners Court voted Nov. 12 to engage the law firm Bracewell for economic‑development matters tied to large industrial proposals, a move residents said should help the county demand stronger environmental protections.
Judge Massengill introduced an engagement letter from Bracewell to assist the county on economic development policy and possible Subchapter K authority under the Local Government Code (chapter 231). Bracewell—s government hourly rate was read into the record at $650 per hour, and the firm estimated an initial 15–20 hours to review Subchapter K issues. The court amended the motion to establish a tracking fund and ‘‘set aside $25,000 not to exceed $25,000 without coming back to commissioners court’’; the motion carried unanimously.
Residents who spoke earlier in the meeting urged the court to use Subchapter K to require independent water‑impact and air‑dispersion studies, tighter setbacks, closed‑loop cooling systems and independent monitoring at fence lines before approving large projects.
"I urge you today to adopt the proposed Brazos River Basin Environmental Protection Ordinance that you have in front of you," Brian Glenn told the court, summarizing a draft ordinance that would create environmental protection districts, require independent testing at fence lines, and set noise limits (60 dB daytime, 40 dB nighttime).
Karen Clark, a Paluxy Valley resident, relayed statements from developers she watched in a different county meeting: an executive said the company could legally draw up to 1,300,000 gallons per day from on‑site wells and that the initial construction "fill" might use about 95,000,000 gallons. Residents expressed particular concern about cumulative water demand, potential wastewater discharges, and light and noise impacts near Mitchell Bend and other neighborhoods.
Commissioners said the Bracewell engagement would allow the county to develop economic policies and, where appropriate, seek reimbursement of attorney fees from developers; the engagement letter also requires the firm to provide cost estimates before starting significant work. The court instructed staff to establish the dedicated fund and to ask Bracewell to consult with county staff before incurring expenses.
No ordinance was adopted at the Nov. 12 meeting; the court—s vote authorized legal representation and budgeting for that work. Residents and county officials said the next steps would include legal review, possible drafting of Subchapter K language, outreach to stakeholders and further public discussion.
