Fillmore County board adopts 24-month moratorium on new data center applications
July 14, 2026 | Fillmore County, Nebraska
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The Fillmore County Board of Supervisors on July 14 adopted a 24-month moratorium on accepting new data center applications to give county officials time to review zoning and the comprehensive plan.
The board passed Resolution 2026-10 after a discussion that included testimony from residents and a report from Zoning Administrator Shaundee Graham. The resolution directs the Fillmore County Planning Commission to review the county comprehensive plan and zoning regulations and to make specific recommendations addressing setbacks, building size and scale, electrical infrastructure, water usage, traffic, environmental impacts, infrasound, health concerns, property-value issues and the definition of occupied dwellings. The planning commission was asked to produce recommendations within 22 months; the moratorium is effective immediately for 24 months.
Board member Wade Sluka introduced the resolution and Mark Lightwine seconded. The roll-call vote was unanimous: Supervisors Larry Cerny, Ralph Graham, Kenny Harre, Mark Lightwine, Jeff Neiman, Merle Noel and Wade Sluka voted in favor. Chairman Jeff Neiman declared the resolution adopted.
The moratorium grew out of public comment and concerns raised at the meeting. Several residents attended the discussion, including Ronnie D. Wilson, Laura Weaver, Joe Casey, Penny and Dan Aspegren, and Carol Rosenquist, who expressed worries about potential impacts to health, traffic, utilities and property values if data centers were permitted without updated local rules. Zoning Administrator Shaundee Graham advised the board that review of the comprehensive plan and zoning regulations was appropriate to address those concerns before new applications were accepted.
The resolution text adopted by the board states in part: "BE IT RESOLVED by the County Board of Fillmore County, Nebraska, that a twenty-four (24) month moratorium on accepting any new data center applications be hereby invoked and approved." The resolution further instructs the planning commission to hold any necessary hearings and submit regulatory recommendations within twenty-two (22) months of signing.
Next steps identified at the meeting: the planning commission will undertake the review and, if hearings are necessary, conduct them as part of the rulemaking and recommendation process. No new data center applications will be accepted by the county during the 24-month moratorium period.
The board adopted the moratorium as part of its regular agenda; no appeal or immediate exemption was recorded in the meeting minutes.
The board passed Resolution 2026-10 after a discussion that included testimony from residents and a report from Zoning Administrator Shaundee Graham. The resolution directs the Fillmore County Planning Commission to review the county comprehensive plan and zoning regulations and to make specific recommendations addressing setbacks, building size and scale, electrical infrastructure, water usage, traffic, environmental impacts, infrasound, health concerns, property-value issues and the definition of occupied dwellings. The planning commission was asked to produce recommendations within 22 months; the moratorium is effective immediately for 24 months.
Board member Wade Sluka introduced the resolution and Mark Lightwine seconded. The roll-call vote was unanimous: Supervisors Larry Cerny, Ralph Graham, Kenny Harre, Mark Lightwine, Jeff Neiman, Merle Noel and Wade Sluka voted in favor. Chairman Jeff Neiman declared the resolution adopted.
The moratorium grew out of public comment and concerns raised at the meeting. Several residents attended the discussion, including Ronnie D. Wilson, Laura Weaver, Joe Casey, Penny and Dan Aspegren, and Carol Rosenquist, who expressed worries about potential impacts to health, traffic, utilities and property values if data centers were permitted without updated local rules. Zoning Administrator Shaundee Graham advised the board that review of the comprehensive plan and zoning regulations was appropriate to address those concerns before new applications were accepted.
The resolution text adopted by the board states in part: "BE IT RESOLVED by the County Board of Fillmore County, Nebraska, that a twenty-four (24) month moratorium on accepting any new data center applications be hereby invoked and approved." The resolution further instructs the planning commission to hold any necessary hearings and submit regulatory recommendations within twenty-two (22) months of signing.
Next steps identified at the meeting: the planning commission will undertake the review and, if hearings are necessary, conduct them as part of the rulemaking and recommendation process. No new data center applications will be accepted by the county during the 24-month moratorium period.
The board adopted the moratorium as part of its regular agenda; no appeal or immediate exemption was recorded in the meeting minutes.
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