Holmes County advances one-year moratorium on large data centers after hours of public comment

The Holmes County Board of County Commissioners moved on May 19 to advance a proposed temporary moratorium that would bar acceptance, processing and issuance of development applications, permits and approvals for large‑scale data centers and other "large load" facilities in unincorporated parts of the county.

The board’s county attorney read the ordinance aloud and told commissioners the draft would impose a one‑year ban while staff coordinates with sister counties, reviews Florida law and prepares amendments to the land‑development code. The draft ordinance, as read, included findings, definitions, applicability, exceptions, vested‑rights and hardship relief provisions and explicitly noted it would not regulate matters within the Florida Public Service Commission’s jurisdiction.

Why it matters: Residents from Holmes and neighboring counties packed the meeting to oppose proposed data centers, arguing they would place heavy, continuous demands on electricity and water systems, generate constant noise from cooling systems and backup generators, and depress property values. Speakers repeatedly urged the board either to ban data centers outright or adopt moratorium language tight enough to prevent backdoor approvals during the pause.

Several speakers described local water‑resource concerns. Margie Butts, who said she lives next to a parcel being marketed for a data center, told the board that the development could "drastically reduce available water in Northwest Florida," harm springs and rivers and damage property values. Other residents cited examples in other counties of reduced water pressure and continuous fan noise from nearby facilities.

Commission action and next steps: Commissioner (speaker 6) made the motion to approve ‘‘the proposed data center moratorium ordinance and the business impact statement as presented’’ and to set a first public hearing for June 16 at 6:00 p.m. The motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. Counsel and staff said two public hearings will be required before any permanent ordinance is adopted; staff will coordinate outreach and work with neighboring counties to draft permanent, legally defensible language.

What commissioners and staff said: County counsel emphasized the board’s authority to impose a temporary moratorium and cautioned that state laws and recent senate bills need to be reviewed to ensure any permanent restriction is defensible. Counsel referred to "statute 163.326" during the reading and noted the county must work with planning staff and county engineers to refine definitions and exemptions.

What remains unresolved: Multiple residents asked whether any company had filed an application; board members and staff said no formal application had been submitted at the time of the meeting. Citizens also asked whether solar farms should be included; staff indicated they would evaluate adding solar projects or addressing them in a separate ordinance and that the moratorium language could be revised accordingly.

The board scheduled two public hearings to finalize the ordinance; the first is set for June 16 at 6:00 p.m., with advertising and logistics to be handled by county staff. The moratorium will be in place for one year from final approval unless commissioners adopt a permanent ordinance sooner.