At-Large City Council candidates weigh in on data centers

Candidates vying for At-Large City Council seats in Sioux Falls weighed in on the contentious topic of data centers, a subject of significant local and statewide debate regarding zoning and economic incentives. The discussion, prompted by Sioux Falls Simplified, covered various aspects of data center development. Vince Danh, recalling a four-hour City Council testimony session, emphasized a communication gap between councilors and the public. He also noted existing state safeguards through the Public Utilities Commission to protect residents from electricity rate concerns. James Oppenheimer referenced parameters already established by councilors to limit water usage for a proposed data center in northeast Sioux Falls. Rich Merkouris stated he personally sponsored an amendment that would restrict city water use for data centers to domestic purposes only, not for cooling equipment, and stressed the city's role in enforcing zoning laws. Samantha Scarlata, a leader in the "Let Sioux Falls Vote" campaign, recounted the effort to repeal the council's rezoning vote that would permit a data center in northeast Sioux Falls, an effort that ultimately failed to gather enough signatures for a public referendum.