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Commissioners approve routine business; residents raise data-center concerns
Summary
The board unanimously approved agenda items including minutes, bills, budget transfers, travel requests and Then & Now certificates; public commenters pressed the county on payment-in-lieu-of-taxes distribution, noise and environmental concerns tied to proposed data centers.
The Washington County Board of Commissioners conducted routine business on Feb. 12, approving the meeting agenda and previous meeting minutes, authorizing payment of departmental bills, and approving Then & Now certificates and multiple travel reimbursements. All routine motions were approved on unanimous roll calls.
Fiscal actions included transfers within the Opioid Remediation grant accounts and a $142,923.27 transfer from the Budget Stabilization account. The board approved two minus appropriations reducing Sheriff Opioid Remediation Grant accounts and acknowledged the list of Then & Now Certificates prepared by the Clerk; those lists remain on file in the Commissioners Office.
During the meeting the commissioners also acknowledged receipt of the January 2026 Sheriff’s monthly report on the care of prisoners. The report shows a total prisoner count of 254 and $3,100 received for housing prisoners from other jurisdictions. The sheriff/warden stated there are currently 120 prisoners at the county jail and 8 being held in Monroe County.
Members of the public used the comment period to question and critique potential data center development in the county. Barb Stewart said many office jobs will be replaced by artificial intelligence and that data centers will strain community resources. Robert Pennock asked how payment-in-lieu-of-taxes revenue would be distributed; President Charlie L. Schilling said the money "will return to the community, primarily to the school, township, and county" and that the commissioners will work with schools and townships on a development agreement.
Residents raised noise, water, construction and landscape impacts and asked for evening public meetings; some asked how a data center would be powered. Commissioners said they are following process, studying the industry and will hold a public forum when appropriate.
The meeting adjourned at 10:46 a.m.
