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Residents voice data-center and local infrastructure concerns during public forum; candidate announces run for county commission
Summary
During public forum, David Spencer announced a run for Utah County Commission Seat B; Laurel Noyes asked if Payson would become a sanctuary city (Mayor Wright said no) and reported a sinking patched road; Morgan Blackmore urged the council to enact code to bar data centers, citing environmental and water concerns.
Three members of the public spoke during the May 20 public forum about distinct concerns for Payson.
David Spencer said he is running for Utah County Commission Seat B and urged greater city representation at the county level, saying he wants cities "on the same page" so the county can secure more funding. Laurel Noyes raised a rumor that Payson might become a sanctuary city; Mayor William Wright responded definitively that Payson would not become a sanctuary city and told Public Works to follow up on Noyes's report of a sinking patched road in her senior community.
Morgan Blackmore expressed concern about proposed and existing large data centers, saying she had reviewed studies she believes show risks including higher water consumption and upward pressure on utility rates. She asked the council to adopt code language to prevent data centers from locating in Payson. Councilmembers Ryan Rowley and Anne Moss later echoed concerns about data centers during council reports and encouraged considering code amendments. The public forum did not include a formal staff response with technical data on data-center impacts or an immediate council directive to draft specific code changes.
