Bulloch County Commission Votes 4-3 Against Outright Data Center Ban

The Bulloch County Board of Commissioners voted 4-3 against a proposed text amendment that would have banned data centers in unincorporated areas of the county, leaving an existing moratorium in place until December 31, 2026. This decision came after a previous directive to staff to draft such a prohibitive amendment, sparking significant community debate.

During the meeting, citizens and commissioners voiced diverse opinions. Ben Watkins advocated for defining standards for data centers rather than an outright ban, emphasizing economic development and addressing concerns like noise, water, and power through specific regulations. Other residents, including Jackie Fields, Lindsey Williams, and Alana Olson, raised questions about environmental studies, infrastructure capacity, noise, and the need for strong performance-based zoning.

Sarah Thompson argued that a permanent moratorium was unconstitutional, citing the Fifth Amendment, and asserted that the public's will should supersede the commissioners. Dean Rekowski and Eddie Smith also urged commissioners to follow the strong public sentiment against data centers, referencing a primary referendum where a significant majority of citizens opposed them. Conversely, Frank Davis spoke in favor of data centers, highlighting their potential to lower property taxes and improve public services, attributing opposition to misinformation.

Commissioner Nick Newkirk presented findings from his personal visit to a data center in Memphis, Tennessee, detailing noise levels, the extensive power infrastructure required, and the use of tall walls to mitigate noise impacts. Commissioners Timmy Rushing, Ray Davis, and Mosley voted to deny the ban, supported by Chairman David Bennett's tie-breaking vote, who stated that an outright ban could lead to legal jeopardy and that issues could be mitigated. Commissioners Newkirk, Conner, and Simmons voted against denying the ban, advocating for a complete prohibition.