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Walton County adopts emergency ordinance banning data centers and bars county funding support
Summary
After hours of testimony, the Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously to adopt an emergency ordinance prohibiting data centers and large-load electricity customers countywide and approved a companion resolution to bar county funding or assistance for such projects.
Walton County commissioners voted on an emergency ordinance to prohibit data centers and other large-load electricity customers across the county, citing concerns about water use, impacts to agricultural land and local resources. County Attorney Atkinson told the board the ordinance imports the state’s new data-center definition into the county’s resource-protection standards and treats such development as inconsistent with the comprehensive plan. The measure was adopted on an emergency basis, which the county attorney said would take effect immediately and preserve the county’s land‑use authority as state rules change.
The public hearing drew dozens of residents, technical experts and business leaders. Supporters of the ban — including local farmers and residents in rural parts of Walton County — described data centers as industrial facilities that require continuous power, large cooling systems and potentially high water consumption. "Large data centers are industrial facilities… Once farmland is converted to industrial use it is rarely farmland again," said Dr. Renee Carley, who identified herself as a technology professional and longtime local resident. Opponents and some economic‑development advocates warned the ordinance could preclude future investment or jobs, and asked commissioners to preserve narrowly tailored rules that allow carefully sited facilities in industrial areas. Commissioners repeatedly emphasized they wanted to prevent rush applications in the gap before related state provisions take effect on July 1.
During debate Commissioner Gladwell moved to adopt the ordinance on an emergency basis and to strike a narrow county-owned exemption (section 4.10.02) so the county would not exempt a county‑owned facility; Commissioner Johns seconded. The board approved the measure and then accepted a companion resolution that prohibits county funding, contracting, grant awards or other public financial assistance to any person or entity participating in the recruitment, permitting or siting of a data center in Walton County. The companion resolution passed 5–0.
Next steps: staff were directed to return in July with any refinements needed after the state implements administrative guidance so the county’s ordinance remains consistent with state law while preserving local protections.
