Local Government Meetings: March 16-20, 2026

This week in local government features lots of budget discussions, plus a possible moratorium on AI data centers in Orange County. Orange County Commissioners are meeting three times this week. On Tuesday, they will discuss whether to impose a moratorium on new AI data centers and data mining facilities, due to concerns about their environmental and infrastructural impacts. On Thursday, they will meet jointly with the Mebane City Council to discuss land use, water and sewer capacity, and future schools for Mebane's growing population. The commissioners will also hold a housing retreat on Saturday. Other key meetings include the Carrboro Town Council discussing a zoning proposal for denser development, the Chapel Hill Town Council beginning budget discussions, and the Orange County and Chapel Hill-Carrboro school boards unveiling their budget proposals. In Chatham County, commissioners will discuss local and state-level climate action, as well as hold a legislative breakfast with state representatives to hear their priorities.