Salix mayor lays out annexation timeline as data center concerns grow
The Salix City Council is advancing a temporary data center moratorium after residents submitted signatures and a councilman introduced the idea. Mayor Kevin Nelson detailed the timeline of the voluntary annexation of 900 acres, where MidAmerican Energy had previously conducted site analysis. A final vote on the moratorium is expected in August.
Salix, Iowa, Mayor Kevin Nelson presented a timeline for the voluntary annexation of 900 acres of land, a process that has garnered significant public concern due to potential data center development. The timeline, presented at a recent Salix City Council meeting, outlined how the annexation began in late January/early February when MidAmerican Energy informed the council about site analysis taking place. Landowners submitted voluntary annexation paperwork on March 12th, which was then forwarded to Woodbury County Supervisors. A public hearing on the annexation request was held on April 8th and subsequently passed, with the Iowa Secretary of State confirming the paperwork on April 23rd, officially approving the annexation.
Mayor Nelson emphasized that the city followed Iowa state law throughout the process but expressed compassion for community concerns, stating he is "open to learning more" about whether a data center is right for Salix's future. He noted that he had not received further information from MidAmerican beyond what was shared last month.
During the city council meeting, 70 Salix residents submitted signatures requesting an emergency moratorium to prevent data center construction on the newly annexed land. City Councilman Gene Monk introduced the idea of a moratorium, urging the council not to rezone the property for a data center. The Salix City Council voted 3-2 to advance a temporary data center moratorium. The city's attorney will now draft the official language for the moratorium, which will be put to a final vote at the council's next meeting on August 12th.