Saline Township Delays Vote on Oracle Data Center Tax Break

Saline Township officials have delayed a crucial vote on a 12-year tax break for a data center project being developed by Related Digital and operated by Oracle America Cloud Services LLC. The Township Board voted 5-0 to postpone action until a special meeting on July 14, following over an hour of public comment where speakers questioned the board's obligation to approve the Industrial Facilities Exemption Certificate (IFEC) under a court-approved consent judgment.

The proposed tax break would reduce eligible real and personal property taxes by 50% for 12 years. Township attorney Fred Lucas stated that the township is bound by a consent judgment, entered in Washtenaw County Circuit Court, which requires them to approve the IFEC application. This judgment settled a previous lawsuit filed by RD Michigan Property Owner I LLC and landowners after the Township Board denied the data center's rezoning request in September 2025.

Speakers, including Ypsilanti Township Supervisor Brenda Stumbo, expressed skepticism about the legal enforceability of a settlement requiring a tax abatement approval before public hearings. They urged the board to seek further legal review, consider additional protections like clawback provisions and generator limits, and address the substantial increase in project cost estimates from $4.8 billion to $43.1 billion. Concerns about water usage, noise, property values, and the power grid were also raised by residents.

Despite the attorney's insistence on the board's commitment via the consent judgment, residents strongly advocated for a delay to allow for more deliberation and independent legal advice. The board ultimately agreed to schedule a special meeting to address the matter.