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Des Moines County imposes one-year moratorium on data-center permits
Summary
The Des Moines County Board of Supervisors on May 19 approved a one-year moratorium on accepting or approving permit applications for data centers — including commercial crypto-mining — to allow staff time to draft regulations and coordinate with other agencies.
The Des Moines County Board of Supervisors voted May 19 to impose a one-year moratorium on accepting or approving permit applications for “data centers,” a definition the board’s resolution extends to facilities used for storage, processing or transmission of digital data and to commercial crypto-mining operations.
The moratorium, adopted as Resolution 2026-034 and effective immediately, suspends permitting, construction and vesting for data centers while county staff research rules used elsewhere, coordinate with partner agencies and draft ordinances, policies and procedures the board can adopt. The board said it may act sooner if new information becomes available.
Why it matters: supervisors said the pause gives the county time to address infrastructure, natural-resource and property-rights concerns that new data-center development can raise, while opponents cautioned the county should avoid losing economic opportunities to neighboring jurisdictions.
Supervisor comments and public input reflected a range of views. A county representative reading the resolution said the board needs “substantial time to gather information and coordinate with multiple agencies.” Brian Drew of the building trades urged caution about shutting out potential investment, noting large data centers can generate significant local tax revenue; he also suggested separating crypto-mining from general data-center regulation. Ryan Nagrocki, speaking during the meeting, described a previous developer arrangement in which a private party agreed to pay paving costs in excess of the county match required for a workforce-housing grant, illustrating the kinds of public–private tradeoffs discussion of large projects can involve.
Next steps: staff said they will review ordinances adopted by other counties, including Linn County, prepare draft language and present it in work sessions for public and board review before any permanent regulations are adopted.
The board approved the moratorium by voice vote; supervisors said they will revisit the topic as draft ordinance language and additional information become available.
