Daviess County considers yearlong moratorium on data-center permits after large public turnout

The Daviess County Fiscal Court on Thursday held a first reading of an ordinance that would temporarily suspend acceptance and processing of zoning permits, conditional-use permits, site plans and building permits for data centers and related IT infrastructure for 12 months while the court seeks studies and recommendations.

Counselor read the ordinance's whereas clauses, telling the court the county's current zoning code and comprehensive plan do not specifically address data-center development and that the moratorium would provide time to review and amend rules if needed.

"This moratorium, if passed, will remain in effect for 12 months unless terminated earlier by this court," the counselor said.

The proposed moratorium drew an extended public comment period. Megan Wingfield, who identified herself as a candidate for the U.S. House, told the court she has toured the district and said residents oppose data centers, citing higher utility costs, potential water pollution, noise and local warming effects. "Data centers have been proven to raise the utility cost for the people that is around," Wingfield said.

Jake Armold offered numerical estimates, saying data centers consumed about "183 terawatt hours of electricity in 2024 nationwide," which he said represents roughly 4% of U.S. electrical use; he added that prior communities experienced 8–25% electricity-price increases and that infrastructure upgrades often fall to taxpayers.

Glenda Wright and Judy Dixon urged the court to use the moratorium year for public informational forums and education. Wright noted a petition with "over 3,300 voices from this community" and urged officials to learn more before permitting new facilities. "There's never harm in taking time to be educated," she said.

Not all speakers opposed data-center development. Cliff Carlock said the industry is likely to arrive and that siting matters: data centers should be located where they can secure water and on-site power to avoid burdening municipal infrastructure. "It's the wrong location, but data centers are going to come," he said.

Several residents described health and nuisance concerns they attribute to similar facilities in other areas; Andrew Gillum said noise and other environmental effects have been linked to nausea, insomnia and increased anxiety in some communities.

County officials and commissioners repeatedly noted the moratorium applies countywide and that the city of Owensboro retains zoning authority within its municipal limits. Commissioner Marksberry told the court he asked to place the item on the docket and welcomed the pause to do "due diligence," saying, "We're not against growth, but we have a lot of agricultural issues that could be affected."

There was no vote on the ordinance at the first reading. Counsel and staff said, and the transcript confirms, that the ordinance will return for a second reading and possible adoption on June 11, 2026.

What happens next: The court held a first reading only; no formal action was taken tonight. The second reading and adoption are scheduled for the June 11, 2026 meeting unless the court takes other action in the interim.