Wakulla commissioners direct staff to draft ordinance to block hyperscale data centers after heavy public opposition

WAKULLA COUNTY, Fla. — The Wakulla County Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously to direct staff to draft an ordinance prohibiting the permitting, construction and operation of hyperscale data centers, following a night of public testimony and a legal briefing about recent state law.

The move came after more than a dozen residents, business owners and conservation groups urged commissioners to act to protect Wakulla’s springs, aquifer and working waterfronts. Commissioner Russell brought the agenda item and moved to direct staff to draft an ordinance and schedule public hearings to consider adoption.

“It’s our aquifer, our springs and our unique karst landscape,” Friends of Wakulla Springs board member Chris Brown told the commission. “Please put a total kibosh on any idea of putting a data center in Wakulla County.”

Several speakers cited scientific and industry concerns. Nick Z Tesla, who said he works at the intersection of public policy and technology, told the board that hyperscale facilities can draw “millions of gallons of water per day” and typically employ only a few dozen operational staff, arguing the economic benefits do not offset environmental and infrastructure costs. “The ban is not anti-technology. It’s pro-governance,” he said.

Adrienne Johnson, executive director of the Florida Shellfish Aquaculture Association, told commissioners that shellfish farmers depend on local water for their livelihoods and warned that changes to water quantity or quality would damage an emerging local industry.

Commissioners debated legal paths forward before voting. The county attorney warned that while the legislature recently enacted Senate Bill 484 recognizing local authority to regulate data centers, a separate state law — Senate Bill 180 — currently limits local governments from enacting amendments that are “more restrictive or burdensome” to land-development rules until October 2027. The attorney advised that a total, permanent ban adopted now could carry significant legal risk and expose the county to lawsuits and fee awards, while a temporary moratorium of up to one year could be legally safer.

“Permanent bans today carry significant legal risk because of SB 180,” the county attorney said. “A one‑year moratorium, by statute, is more likely to be permissible and gives time to study the issues, though no option is risk‑free.”

Commissioners weighed that legal advice against persistent local concern about Wakulla’s karst geology, rising “dark water days” at springs and the county’s reliance on tourism and working waterfronts. After discussion the board approved the motion directing staff to draft a prohibitive ordinance and to schedule the required public hearings; the vote was unanimous.

Staff warned that drafting the ordinance will require coordination with county attorneys and planning staff, will likely require planning commission review and may take two to three months and two public hearings before returning to the commission for final action.

What happens next

Staff will draft ordinance language and present it to the planning commission for review before the board holds the required public hearings. The county attorney’s office and planning staff will advise on legal timing given SB 180 and potential moratorium options during the drafting process.

The commission did not adopt a final ordinance at the meeting; the directive was to have staff prepare ordinance language and public‑hearing notices for future consideration.