Data center pause sparks push to expand Linn County board

The Linn County Board of Supervisors is facing an effort to expand its membership from three to five, a move that some current supervisors attribute to their recent decision to enact an 18-month moratorium on new data centers. Earlier this month, the board approved the moratorium for new data centers in unincorporated areas of Linn County, stating the need for more discussions, studies on local infrastructure impacts, and further development of the ordinance.

Supervisor Bruns Z. Mysha Eid issued a statement standing by her vote, noting that she has not heard a widespread call to reverse the moratorium. Instead, she reports hearing from "individuals and interests who stand to benefit financially from large-scale development" who believe expanding the board would offer a better opportunity to advance their agenda. Supervisor Chair Kirsten Running Marquardt echoed these sentiments, stating that data center moratorium opponents and those who financially benefit from data center development are attempting to diminish her voice and the voices of her constituents because of her vote.

Supervisor Sammy Shields, the only member who voted against the moratorium, acknowledged that many people have encouraged him to place the board size matter on the November ballot. He supports a resolution to allow voters to decide, citing a decade of experience with a three-member board and supervisors now representing almost 80,000 people in Iowa's second largest and fastest-growing county. Shields believes a five-person board would provide closer and more accessible representation, especially for rural communities.