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Residents urge independent review, longer pause as board adopts data center moratorium
Summary
Dozens of residents addressed the board after passage of the moratorium, urging a longer suspension, independent financial and environmental review, clearer disclosure of incentives and stronger public engagement than just an email inbox.
After the board voted to impose the moratorium, multiple residents addressed the commission during public comment, urging more than a six-month pause and asking for transparent, independent review of proposed projects.
"We were getting our information from people who actually live around data centers," one resident said, arguing the board should go beyond developer-provided materials and solicit independent studies. Another speaker said, "It needs to be at least a year," reflecting a common ask for a longer moratorium. Several commenters raised water‑quality, wastewater handling and electricity‑demand concerns and asked the county to disclose whether projects would receive tax incentives or pilot agreements.
Speakers also urged face-to-face engagement. Collins, who spoke during public comment, asked the board to schedule a town hall so more residents can ask questions directly. At least one commenter said the board had not been sufficiently transparent earlier and requested that financial claims behind projects receive independent verification before any incentives are granted.
Commissioners acknowledged those concerns and directed staff to create a single email address for submissions of peer‑reviewed studies and factual research. They also said staff will compile the submissions for board review; no independent contractor or formal advisory panel was named during the meeting.
