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Commissioners flag recycling mandate, local control of data‑center siting
Summary
Commissioner Goike reported committee support for hiring a vendor to boost recycling rates to meet a state mandate and said one community voted no; Commissioner Zinner flagged a concern that control over data‑center siting may rest with an entity larger than cities and townships.
Commissioners on May 21 reported follow‑up from committee discussions about recycling services and data‑center siting and urged continued monitoring.
Commissioner Goike told the full board that his committee recommended hiring a recycling contractor to help the county meet a state public‑act recycling mandate. "Out of the 27 communities, only 1 community voted no, and that was Richmond in my district," he said, and added that the vendor arrangement aims to increase recycling performance without raising local fees. Goike also said one developer has withdrawn a proposed data‑center in Washington Township and that some townships have adopted moratoria while ordinances are being considered.
Separately, Commissioner Zinner raised concerns that, contrary to expectations at a recent Tri‑County Summit that cities and townships would retain control over data‑center decisions, an email he received suggested a larger entity might exercise authority over siting. He said the county should "look into and be watched for" that potential shift.
Why it matters: Recycling vendor selection and data‑center siting can affect municipal costs, local land‑use rules and community impacts such as traffic and utilities. Commissioners urged coordination with cities and townships and attention to state law limits on local actions.
No formal motion or vote on data‑center policy occurred at the meeting; the board recorded committee recommendations on recycling as part of broader committee approvals.
