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Commissioners debate ICIP priorities and ask for 10-year data‑center water‑use projections

Colfax County Board of Commissioners · May 26, 2026

Summary

During ICIP and capital-outlay discussion commissioners debated whether the Moreno Valley fire station should be on ICIP, discussed reprioritizing network infrastructure and road projects, and a commissioner requested a 10‑year water‑use plan for proposed data centers.

Commissioners discussed the county’s ICIP list and capital-outlay request timing ahead of the July 1 submission deadline. Commissioner Kern said the deadline requires early action and urged staff to reorganize the ICIP so the county manager can file requests on time.

Board members debated whether the Moreno Valley fire station should remain a high-ranked ICIP item; staff said fire districts are eligible to apply for ICIP but often fund stations through their own budgets. Commissioners suggested moving some items (network infrastructure, parking-lot ADA improvements, unpaved-road work) up or down based on priority and available funding.

During the commissioners’ docket a detailed caution about data centers prompted a request for additional information. One commissioner asked that any data-center proposal include a 10-year projection of water usage, saying some closed-system data centers show significantly higher water needs over time and citing Texas examples. The commissioner said they did not want the county to face large, long-term water demands without a clear plan.

Staff agreed to reorganize the ICIP as requested and return it to the next meeting. The manager also said she would follow up with EMNRD about timing and alternatives for a separate abandoned‑mine grant tied to County Road A26/27.

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