Residents press Pasco County to make data‑center moratorium permanent; board schedules afternoon public hearing

Several residents used the June 16 public comment period to press Pasco County commissioners to tighten restrictions on new data centers and to protect local water resources.

“I am in favor of the moratorum on data centers. Uh I believe it should be a permanent ban,” Cindy Scarta told the board, citing the county’s limestone geology, a prolonged drought and Phase 3 modified extreme water restrictions in the Tampa Bay area. Scarta said data centers consume “millions of gallons of water a day” and urged the board to make the moratorium permanent while broader policy and water‑supply questions are resolved.

Chairman Mariano and the clerk clarified that the county has placed a moratorium on data‑center development and that the issue is scheduled for a public hearing at 1:30 p.m. the same day, when ordinances will be considered and votes taken. Several other members of the public also indicated they would return for the afternoon hearing to speak when the item is heard.

Why it matters: county staff and members of the public framed the issue as a tradeoff between economic development and protection of a limited water resource in a karst aquifer region. Commissioners and staff noted the moratorium temporarily halts building, and the scheduled hearing will permit formal debate and a recorded vote.

Next steps: the board will consider the ordinance during the scheduled 1:30 p.m. public hearing and take formal action at that time. The morning session concluded public comment for in‑person speakers and directed commenters wishing to speak on data centers to the afternoon hearing.