Des Moines County supervisors ask staff for cost estimate to draft data‑center ordinance during moratorium

Des Moines County supervisors on July 7 directed staff to explore options and costs for drafting a data‑center ordinance while an existing moratorium on new data‑center permits remains in effect.

A board member noted the county currently has a moratorium "on data centers, while we study the issue and create an ordinance," and asked land‑use staff to consider whether they could prepare research and an estimated price for drafting a new ordinance. The comment came amid discussion of heavy staff time spent on prior wind and solar ordinance work.

Board members discussed whether to ask the regional Council of Governments to do the work, saying that body often provides planning, transportation and grant‑writing support to counties. One supervisor suggested asking the Council of Governments "if they're interested in an idea of what it would cost," and that the county could seek an informal cost estimate before issuing a formal request for services.

Land‑use staff indicated they would consider the request and report back. The board did not adopt any ordinance language or set a deadline at the meeting; the direction was to explore whether an external contract or internal staff work would be appropriate and what the cost might be.

Next steps: supervisors asked staff to return with an estimate of cost and scope so the board can decide whether to proceed with a formal contract or pursue alternatives.