Ringgold County supervisors hold public hearing on proposed 12-month moratorium for data centers

Supervisor Cotby Hotmes and two fellow supervisors held a public hearing Monday to gather input on a proposed 12-month moratorium that would pause any new data-center approvals in unincorporated Ringgold County while the Board studies potential impacts and regulatory options.

The moratorium, the Board said, is meant to give county officials "time to research the issue, review the experiences of other counties, hear from residents, and make a well-informed decision should a proposal ever be submitted," according to remarks by Supervisor Cotby Hotmes. Hotmes also said no entity has approached Ringgold County seeking to build a data center to date.

Why it matters: Residents and officials cited concerns that large data centers can drive increased electrical demand and water consumption and accelerate wear on local roads. Supporters of the pause said the county should have rules in place before a proposal arrives; others asked whether a moratorium could be circumvented by legal loopholes.

At the hearing, several residents commended the Board’s proactive approach and asked questions about scope and process. A resident asked whether existing legal or procedural loopholes could allow a project to proceed despite a moratorium; the Board said it was not aware of any but acknowledged it could not completely rule out such possibilities given the current legal environment. Another resident asked whether the public would have an opportunity to vote on the moratorium; the Board responded that while a public vote is not required, the ordinance adoption process includes public hearings for resident comment before action is taken.

The Board clarified the proposed moratorium would apply only to unincorporated areas of Ringgold County and would not affect incorporated municipalities. Officials also said the moratorium could be terminated early if the Board completes its research and is prepared to adopt a permanent ordinance before the 12-month period expires.

Procedural notes: Supervisor Steve Knapp moved to open the public hearing, and Supervisor Randy Taytor seconded; the motion passed unanimously. With no further comments the Board later approved an adjournment motion by Knapp, seconded by Taytor; the meeting ended at 6:34 p.m. The Board announced a second public hearing for Monday, July 6 at 11:00 a.m. in the Board of Supervisors office, at which it may consider waiving the third reading and proceeding with adoption; if additional consideration is needed, final action could occur at the July 13 meeting.

What’s next: The Board said it will continue researching the issue and provide periodic public updates; residents who wish to comment can attend the July 6 hearing or submit comments during the ordinance process.