Woodbury County supervisors direct county attorney to seek judicial review of Salix annexation after residents protest MidAmerican data center

The Woodbury County Board of Supervisors unanimously directed the county attorney’s office on July 7 to seek judicial review in district court over the Salix annexation that would clear the way for a proposed MidAmerican Energy data center.

Residents from Salix and nearby towns told the board they were worried the annexation process lacked transparency and that the project would harm farmland, local roads and small-town character. Doyle Turner of Moville told the board the issue is not just zoning but a “territorial issue between MidAmerican and the Woodbury County REC,” and accused the REC of blocking opportunities: “Woodbury County REC has had plenty of opportunity to work with the other players…they’ve been killing these projects.”

Why it matters: The board said the county attorney’s legal analysis raised doubts about whether the voluntary annexation complied with the intent of Iowa Code 368, which sets out annexation procedures. Chair stated that the board believes the legislative intent was not met and has therefore asked the county attorney to seek judicial review so a judge can determine if Salix followed the law.

Public concerns and board response: Several Salix residents recounted community opposition and hardships. Jennie Annick, who said a petition representing 40% of Salix residents led to a temporary moratorium in the city, told the board, “No data center is worth even 1 acre of rich Iowa farmland.” Other speakers raised traffic, dust and floodplain concerns for gravel roads near the proposed site and urged the county to monitor city council actions and the legal filings.

County action and limits: The chair told residents that judicial review is aimed at clarifying whether the annexation complied with state law; he warned that, even if the county wins review, it may not permanently block a data center. ‘‘If the county is successful in this judicial review, it does not stop a potential data center,’’ the chair said, adding that a renewed application and a more transparent public process could follow.

Next steps: The county attorney’s office will prepare filings for district court and the board pledged to provide updates. The board emphasized it will seek judicial clarification rather than attempt to substitute its judgment for the city of Salix or for landowners’ decisions.

Speakers quoted in this article are those recorded in the meeting transcript. All legal and procedural references reflect items and citations discussed on the record.