Board creates data‑center advisory committee to help draft ordinance

Commissioners voted to create a data‑center advisory committee to help develop an ordinance following the recent 12‑month moratorium on data‑center development. The motion passed unanimously.

Commissioner Jones proposed formation of the committee and said he would be willing to present a list of potential members. "I would like to see us compile names… maybe, for the next couple of weeks and, in our September meeting, come together with the committee," he said. Commissioners discussed keeping the committee from becoming too large and suggested a cap near 10 people to keep it efficient.

County staff said the board can review committee specifics — membership number and appointment process — at a subsequent meeting. Commissioners indicated the committee should include a mix of viewpoints and provide practical recommendations on where, if anywhere, data centers might be allowed and what buffering or scale requirements would apply.