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Lawmaker urges caution on large data centers, moves to table ordinance 1569
Summary
A Live Oak council member moved to table the first reading of ordinance 1569, citing concerns about whether utilities can meet the power and water needs of large data centers, the limited local job gains such facilities provide, and the risk of litigation under new requirements in Senate Bill 484.
A member of the Live Oak City Council moved to table the first reading of ordinance 1569 on concerns the city could be left to shoulder new costs or legal risk if large data centers locate in the area.
The council member, identified in the transcript only as "Lawmaker," said the council must weigh whether electricity and water requirements under Senate Bill 484 would protect residents and businesses and whether local utilities could supply the necessary power. "Does FPL have the capability to provide the electricity they need?" the Lawmaker asked during the discussion, adding worries about passing costs on to Wylo residents and businesses.
The Lawmaker also highlighted economic trade-offs, noting the limited local employment such centers typically bring: "Most of these big data centers, you might be lucky to have, you know, 8 to 12 people working in different shifts," the Lawmaker said. The council member said some jurisdictions want data centers for tax revenue but cautioned against becoming a litigation test case: "We don't wanna be obviously the test case," the Lawmaker said.
Citing the new statutory requirements, the Lawmaker pointed out that Senate Bill 484 already imposes electric and water conditions on applicants in some circumstances and that timing in state law — including an October 2027 date referenced in staff materials — could change in the next legislative session.
The Lawmaker made a motion to table the first reading of order 1569 to allow time for more information; another participant indicated the motion was seconded. The transcript records the motion being made but does not include a recorded roll-call tally or a final recorded outcome in this excerpt.
Council members said staff will continue to monitor litigation and legislative developments and that staff will post guidance via a portal. The discussion concluded without a final decision on the ordinance in the recorded transcript; the item was set aside for further information and monitoring.
