Yukon residents file recall petition amid backlash over proposed data center

Yukon residents have formally filed a recall petition seeking the removal of the city's mayor, Mayor Pillmore, and vice mayor following a contentious City Council meeting. The petition stems from widespread community frustration and opposition to a proposed Beltline data center. Despite the meeting's official agenda focusing on the city's drinking water contract, public comments overwhelmingly centered on concerns regarding the data center's potential strain on essential resources, particularly water and electricity. Residents like Amy Walters stated, "Voters have spoken and the voters have been ignored," while Joe Horn directly called for resignations, threatening recall efforts. Eleanor Shrine specifically highlighted "Too many problems with a data center — water, electricity." City officials, including Mayor Pillmore, acknowledged that securing clean drinking water remains a top priority, and the Council voted to collaborate with the City of Bethany to test new well sources for drinking water, an effort stated to be separate from the data center's cooling water needs. However, residents expressed feeling unheard, especially after a previous meeting held by Beltline to address questions about the project was cut short.