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Resident at Newton County hearing raises concerns about data center tree removal and local water effects
Summary
A resident said tree clearing for a nearby data center has reduced water pressure at her well and asked when the data center will begin paying property taxes; the chair said the Davis Center is in Covington city limits and offered to follow up after the hearing.
At the Newton County public hearing on the proposed 2026 millage rate, resident Linda Bezold urged county officials to explain the fiscal and environmental impacts of a nearby data center. Bezold said she had been "riding around" and seen significant tree removal for the project and asked, "Who's paying for all this destruction of our trees?"
Bezold also said her private well has experienced reduced water pressure since about August–September of the prior year and asked, "how much property tax is the data center pay in Newton County?" She asked when the facility will begin paying taxes and requested the name of the county commissioner to pursue answers.
Chair Leanne Long responded in the hearing that the Davis Center is inside the Covington city limits and offered to meet with residents after the hearing to direct them to the appropriate official for follow-up. The transcript records no county staff answer at the hearing about tax payments or timelines for the data center to begin paying property taxes.
