Temple residents launch recall effort against mayor, council members over data center vote

Residents in Temple, Texas, have launched a recall effort against Mayor Tim Davis, Mayor Pro Tem Jessica Walker, and Councilman Mike Pilkington following the city council's recent decision to annex and rezone approximately 700 acres along Bob White Road. This action cleared the path for a proposed $700 million data center development.

The group "Stop the Temple Data Center" is actively gathering signatures to initiate the recall process, asserting that city leaders are not listening to the community. Residents' primary concerns include potential excessive water usage by the data center, strain on existing infrastructure, and a perceived negative impact on their overall quality of life. Some residents also expressed dissatisfaction with how quickly the decision was made and how public comment was handled during the council meeting, with Mayor Davis cutting off public speakers after several hours.

Rowan Digital Infrastructure, the company behind the project, states that these concerns were considered in the planning process and that the facility has been designed specifically for the region to avoid negative impacts. However, residents who testified at the council meeting felt their input was ignored, leading to the recall effort. For the recall to proceed, the group needs to collect approximately 5,000 signatures from Temple residents.