Committee members reviewed the utilities and broadband items in the 2016 comprehensive plan and debated what remains to be done locally versus what is governed by state or federal programs.

Dan Grady told the committee the federal BEAD broadband program and the state Public Service Commission are driving current broadband expansion, limiting how much county input affects provider selection. "We don't know who won yet... Norvado is gonna be doing a lot of broadband in part of the county," he said, and noted the work includes both fiber and fixed wireless. Dan added that some federal rule changes shifted county influence on selection and funding.

On energy, the committee revisited a 2016 objective that county facilities reach 25% renewable energy by 2025; members said they are unsure whether that target was met and flagged work the county has done (solar on the courthouse roof; HHS purchase of solar farm electricity) while noting funding constraints. The group also discussed potential land‑use and zoning implications of large-scale utilities and data centers, with George proposing draft action items to evaluate transmission, generator types and data center siting and return them to the county board for consideration.

Several speakers emphasized the limits of county authority. Dan summarized legal constraints: permits and approvals for major generating or transmission projects generally fall to state agencies (DNR, PSC, DSPS) or federal agencies and counties may have only narrow tools (local noise ordinances, zoning rules subject to legal challenge). He warned that if a utility or data center is advanced under state authority, "we don't have a choice. If the state wants to move a data center... it's happening. We don't have a choice." At the same time, members discussed local tools the county can use to prepare, such as benchmarking facility energy performance and drafting zoning guidance.

The committee asked staff to assemble clearer status updates on past action items (broadband, private on-site wastewater systems, solar projects) so subcommittees can propose measurable objectives.