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Public questions AI data-center rumors, urges board training; county attorney to provide tax-exemption memo
Summary
Public commenters asked whether an AI data center is coming to Deer Lodge County, urged renewed board training and asked whether a chair can make motions; County Attorney Morgan Smith said she will prepare a memo on property tax-exemption procedures and expects to deliver it before May 12.
Several members of the public used the work session public-comment period to raise separate concerns. Vern Tuss asked whether rumors of an AI data center locating in Deer Lodge County had any basis, citing rumors from neighboring jurisdictions. "I just have one thing that I've been hearing a lot of rumors around town about an AI data center coming to Deer Lodge County," Tuss said. County staff did not confirm any such proposal at the session.
Rose Nyman described a recent painful board meeting and urged renewed board training, and asked whether a chair may make a motion. Chairman Kevin Hart acknowledged the need for training and said he would consult with CEO Bill Everett and explore options with the Local Government Center and Dan Clark. "I will get together with CEO to see if funding is available to see if we can have the local government center do the same type of training that they previously did," Hart said. Nyman also asked whether a chairman could make a motion; Hart replied that a chair can make a motion and said the commission had chosen not to adopt formal parliamentary procedure.
Janice Hagan-Delaney asked about tax-exemption on real property. County Attorney Morgan Smith said she is preparing a memo outlining the legal process and discussions with the Department of Revenue and expects to make that memo publicly available before the commission's May 12 meeting.
