Data center debate ends with Village Manager's termination in Indiantown
The Indiantown Village Council rejected a proposed resolution for a temporary moratorium on new hyperscale data center projects, following hours of public comment from concerned residents. The debate over data centers subsequently led to the immediate termination of Village Manager Taryn Kryzda and the removal of Village Attorney Wade Vose. An interim manager, Michael Giardino, was appointed as the village plans to revisit the data center resolution.
The Indiantown Village Council held a special meeting where residents strongly advocated for a pause on future hyperscale data center developments. After extensive public comment, the council voted 4-1 against a proposed resolution that would have temporarily halted new large-scale data center applications while the village drafted regulations concerning infrastructure, utilities, and community impacts. Council members expressed a desire for new legal counsel to review the proposal and ensure its legal integrity before bringing it back for further consideration.
Following this vote, the council underwent a significant leadership change. Village Manager Taryn Kryzda, who began her role in 2024, was immediately terminated. Village Attorney Wade Vose was also removed from the meeting, with the council deciding to pursue interim legal counsel. Michael Giardino, who previously served as Stuart's city manager, was appointed as the interim village manager.
Residents voiced specific concerns about the proximity of potential data center projects, such as "Project Growler" and "Project Beskar," to local schools, parks, and neighborhoods. James Fishback, a former Florida gubernatorial candidate, pointed out that numerous moratoriums passed in Florida this year have gone unchallenged by data center developers, encouraging the council to act. Village leaders anticipate securing interim legal counsel soon and aim to present a revised data center resolution to the council within the next few weeks.