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Officials detail wildfire response and extend burn ban as residents raise data‑center and camera concerns
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Summary
County officials described multi‑agency wildfire operations that protected hundreds of homes and businesses and said a local state of emergency and weekly burn ban remain in force. Public commenters urged more protective measures against possible data centers and asked the sheriff about Flock camera use; the board discussed state legislation and local options.
Putnam County officials briefed the board on a series of wildfires and the county’s response at the April 28 meeting, and several members of the public used the meeting to raise concerns about potential data centers, camera surveillance, and a longstanding SHIP grant dispute.
Deputy Administrator Grimes provided a detailed incident update: county and state partners responded to multiple fires over several days, including a railroad‑complex incident that county staff said involved roughly 4,800 acres across jurisdictions. Grimes said mutual‑aid and state strike teams were deployed, about 380 homes and roughly 80 businesses were saved from damage in the largest incident, and two wildfire‑related fatalities outside Putnam County were reported in recent regional operations. Grimes said mop‑up and monitoring would continue and urged residents to respect the burn ban.
During public comment Tyler Wilkinson said he opposed any future AI data centers in Putnam County and asked the board to “protect Putnam County in the long term.” The chair and county attorney explained that no data‑center application had been received and discussed state legislative developments: the county attorney said recent state bills (discussed as Senate Bill 44 and Senate Bill 484/180/other session proposals) create limitations on local moratoria and may shape what local governments can do about data centers. The county attorney advised caution about relying on a local moratorium because of state law constraints but said the board will continue to monitor legislation.
Another commenter asked about Flock camera deployments; the chair said the county had not voted on the program and suggested residents take the question to the elected sheriff, who oversees law enforcement camera decisions. Melissa Ray spoke about a SHIP grant subordination request from 2014 and told the board she had followed the county’s procedures but received inconsistent guidance; county staff and AHAC (the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee) procedures were described and staff provided instructions on how to pursue an exemption or waiver through AHAC and the board if appropriate.
Commissioners thanked first responders and community volunteers for wildfire assistance and authorized continued local emergency measures; they also asked staff to monitor state legislation and report back on options related to data centers and local land‑use controls.
What’s next: The board kept the local burn ban and state of local emergency protocols in place for weekly review; staff will update the board on legislative developments regarding data centers and any related local options.
