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Parker County leaders reiterate opposition to data centers, say no tax abatements will be offered
Summary
County officials told a packed hearing they oppose large data centers, have passed a resolution banning abatements, and are pursuing legal and administrative tools — including a regional '391' commission and groundwater permitting — to try to slow projects.
The County Judge opened a crowded Parker County public hearing by saying the court has “passed a resolution” opposing large data centers and that the county will not grant tax abatements to them. He set strict one‑minute public‑comment turns and said the court is exploring legal tools to respond to proposals.
“The court has already demonstrated what it has in passing a resolution … and we are not going to abate any of the data centers,” the County Judge said, adding that the court is exploring a local or regional 391 commission and coordinating with the North Central Texas Council of Governments and neighboring county judges. He also told residents no application for a data center permit has yet been filed in Parker County.
Why it matters: Commissioners said they are seeking options that are legally defensible and less likely to trigger large lawsuits that would be paid by county taxpayers. The court reiterated that any measures must be crafted so they are not immediately reversed in court and that the county will use every lawful tool available to protect water, rural land and quality of life.
Next steps: The court said it will pursue a 391 commission discussion at an August COG meeting, follow up with state legislators and publicize detailed answers on the county website. The judge also pointed residents to information on what counties can and cannot do and promised additional off‑site hearings to accommodate turnout.
