Resident asks Wichita County commissioners about transparency for planned data centers

During the public-comment period on May 12, resident Alfred Perez asked the Wichita County Commissioner’s Court why residents have had little opportunity to review or comment on large data-center projects planned in the county, naming Skybox data centers as an example.

"Why are we hearing so little about these massive data centers that are built being built in Wichita County?" Perez asked, saying residents in other cities had complained once centers were operational and asking whether the public was being shut out of the process.

The presiding judge told Perez the court could not discuss items that were not on the meeting agenda because of state law, but invited him to stay after court to meet with commissioners and noted a presentation by developers was likely in the future. "If you want to stick around till the end of court, be happy to — you can meet with all of us," the judge said, adding that the county would be willing to visit outside the meeting as well.

Why it matters: Large data centers can raise questions about local land use, utility demand, traffic, noise and public oversight. The resident’s comment signals local concern and a demand for a public forum; the court signaled the appropriate next step is a developer presentation or an agendaed item so the court may legally discuss specifics.

Next steps: The judge encouraged the resident to request a future agenda item or meet with commissioners after the meeting; officials said a presentation by the developers was likely to be scheduled.