Candidates debate hyperscale data centers, say county authority is limited

Hyperscale data centers emerged as a recurring topic during candidate interviews. Some candidates described proposed facilities near schools or in unincorporated areas and voiced concern about size, noise, energy use and community impacts.

Jay Rohatke told the committee, "There's a huge data center being proposed in front of Parkland High School. Originally, it was supposed to be 5,100,000 square feet," and said he had pushed for educational sessions so elected officials could gather facts and present objections. Rev. Dr. Jeff Whitcomb and others argued for looking at the issue sharply; one candidate said they would explore the possibility of a local ban on hyperscale data centers and encouraged the committee to study what is "inherently objectionable" about such projects.

Several candidates warned that counties are constrained by state law on taxation and land‑use authority; they urged aggressive pursuit of intergovernmental partnerships, state legislative advocacy and negotiated agreements with developers to capture any possible revenue. "We are kind of stuck with laws provided by the Commonwealth on how we can approach taxation," one candidate said, urging coordination with state representatives. Others cautioned that some fines and regulatory penalties are administered at the Public Utility Commission or state level and may not deliver significant local revenue.

No policy decision about data centers was adopted at the meeting. Candidates’ comments were presented as part of the vetting process for appointment; any regulatory or tax response would require further legal review and, potentially, state legislative action.