Commissioners say ordinance needed to protect Miami County from potential data centers

Chair Commissioner Keith Musselman told residents the board plans to draft an ordinance to "protect the county" from potential data-center development, stressing the county is not now considering any specific projects. "There are no proposed projects currently being talked about. There are no kickbacks. There is nothing being planned," Musselman said, describing the action as a response to misinformation and to Fulton County's recent decisions on data centers.

Musselman said Miami County's plan commission noticed the county was not protected after Fulton County signaled it did not want data centers, and that an ordinance would give the county regulatory tools. He framed the item as preparatory amid projected state budget reductions that, he said, could otherwise force cuts in services if the county does not see growth.

During the public-comment period, resident Sarah Graham asked how the county will notify the public about future meetings on the topic, especially residents with limited Internet access. Planning & Zoning Administrator Corey Roser said his office will follow the usual public-notice steps: publish a notice of intent in the newspaper, post online and on Facebook, and place postings on exterior doors. "He will publish a notice of intent to consider in the newspaper, post it online and via the Facebook pages, as well as have it posted on all of the exterior doors," Roser said.

Jennifer Maggart asked whether the commissioners might consider amendments and whether any amendments could be voted on at the same meeting. Musselman declined to answer procedural legal questions without the county attorney present, saying he would not want to provide an inaccurate explanation of the process. The board did not set a meeting date at the May 18 session; Musselman said they were considering a larger venue and soliciting questions in advance to structure the meeting.