Scurry County court updates tax-abatement guidelines to allow data-center terms after public discussion

Scurry County Commissioners voted to move forward with revised tax-abatement guidelines that explicitly allow the county to negotiate agreements with data centers, following a public discussion about how such facilities are assessed and how the county can capture community benefits.

The chair introduced sample language from another county and asked whether the court wanted to incorporate data-center provisions into Scurry County’s guidelines. Officials and residents voiced concerns about tax valuation methods (square footage versus equipment), depreciation schedules, and infrastructure demands. The chair said the draft guidelines do not preset agreement terms but would allow the county to negotiate specific payment percentages and conditions with any company that proposes a project.

Speakers emphasized the need to make sure data centers supply their own power and water where necessary and to require safeguards for roads and other infrastructure. The chair noted that county staff and attorneys would work with companies to determine percentages and payment schedules if a project moves forward; commissioners approved the change to the guidelines by voice vote.

What the change does — and does not — do: it authorizes the county to consider and negotiate abatement or tax-payment deals with data-center developers but does not automatically grant abatement or require donations from companies. Any specific payment terms, whether measured by square footage, equipment value or capacity, will be negotiated case-by-case as part of an individual agreement.