Residents urge commissioners to demand transparency and limit NDAs as data‑center proposals surface

During public comment, Mike Kelly of Fairview Park urged the commissioners to protect the community by insisting on transparency in economic development negotiations and avoiding nondisclosure agreements. "Do not sign NDAs, nondisclosure agreements. NDAs keep the community from being informed," Kelly said, and recommended independent expert review of proposals, community hearings and contract terms that preserve county control of utilities and require disclosure of utility use.

Doug Martin, who identified himself as town‑board president of Universal, said his community does not want a data center nearby and expressed concerns about water and electricity use for large facilities. "We do not want a data center in Universal, not even close," Martin said, and warned that while small crypto‑mining operations use little water, large data centers could require "millions of gallons every day" and raise local electrical rates.

Chair responded to some statements about an existing operation by saying press reports were incorrect and describing the known facility as a very small, two‑acre Bitcoin mine with limited power and water use; he told the room that earlier articles were "100% false." Commissioners did not take immediate action on these comments but acknowledged the public’s request for transparency and asked staff to ensure that proposed agreements include community protections and clear terms on utilities and environmental safeguards.

Next steps: commissioners signaled they will consider community protections — including contract language, public hearings and independent technical review — before approving any economic‑development deals that could affect county utilities or natural resources.