Polk County adopts resolution urging scrutiny of data‑center development and begins drafting permit policy

Polk County Commissioners Court voted to approve a resolution establishing the county’s core position on increasing data‑center development in Texas and directed staff to pursue a public hearing on a draft site‑impact permit policy for high‑load industrial facilities.

The resolution stresses responsible economic development while emphasizing protection of electric grid reliability, water resources, environmental impacts and county infrastructure. It calls for increased transparency from prospective developers about electricity demand and water use and asks for independent impact analyses before project development.

Staff presented a draft permit policy that would require a site‑impact permit for facilities meeting one or more thresholds — including 1 megawatt or more of electrical demand, continuous industrial operations, large-scale cooling systems or on‑site generation — and would require sealed engineering documentation addressing electrical load, water source/usage, noise, drainage and road impacts. The draft includes an appeal path to commissioners court within 30 days and exempts existing lawful facilities unless they expand to exceed thresholds.

Legal counsel noted a public hearing prior to adoption would be advisable, given overlaps with county subdivision rules and state limits. Commissioners voted to adopt the resolution and to move the draft policy toward public review and a hearing.

Why it matters: The resolution and emerging permit policy aim to give Polk County a formal voice as regional data‑center growth accelerates and to ensure projects do not undermine local power or water availability.

Next steps: Staff will refine the draft in light of counsel’s comments and schedule a public hearing; commissioners asked for additional technical detail, including closed‑loop cooling options and fee schedules for engineering review and inspections.