York County Council Moves Forward on Data Center Regulations and Infrastructure Projects; Expands Legal Department and Sheriff’s Office Pay

At its regular meeting on March 16, 2026, the York County Council took significant steps regarding data center regulation and county administrative resources. The Council advanced the second reading of a new ordinance designed to impose stricter standards on data centers, specifically addressing concerns related to noise, water usage, and setback requirements. In a related move, the Council authorized a substantial expansion of its legal department, creating two new assistant county attorney positions and a Special Advisory Counsel/Government Liaison role. This decision followed executive sessions focused on pending litigation, including the "Silfab site litigation," and departmental staffing needs. Additionally, the Council approved a compensation increase for personnel within the Sheriff’s Office and sanctioned various infrastructure projects.