Steering committee sends resolution to ban AI data centers to full court amid legal caution; public raises surveillance concerns about Flock cameras

The steering committee voted to forward a proposed resolution that would ban AI data centers and related structures to the full County Commission for consideration.

Supporters argued a local ban or deterrent is appropriate until the county can adopt zoning or state legislation. The county attorney cautioned that without zoning the ban likely would face legal challenges and said it may serve as a deterrent rather than an ironclad prohibition; commissioners discussed lobbying state lawmakers and pursuing zoning or a moratorium to give the county time to adopt enforceable regulations.

During public comment, multiple residents and speakers urged a formal moratorium and expressed privacy concerns, linking the topic to automated license‑plate readers and other surveillance technologies. One speaker asked whether the County could adopt an ordinance without zoning; the attorney answered that zoning provides stronger legal footing. Another public speaker urged immediate removal of Flock cameras and called the Flock contract invalid; the committee voted to forward a resolution to rescind the county’s prior support for license‑plate readers (resolution 24‑42025) to full court.

The steering committee’s action sends both the AI ban resolution and the rescission of prior license‑plate‑reader support to the full County Commission for further legal review and possible formal adoption.