Indiantown Village Council fires manager after data center moratorium debate
The Indiantown Village Council, with a new majority, fired its Village Manager and accepted the resignation of its attorney after a contentious meeting debating a data center moratorium. The attorney had advised against the moratorium, citing potential lawsuits from property owners and conflicts with state law. The council ultimately voted against the proposed moratorium resolution.
A new majority on the Indiantown Village Council, swept into power during the August Primary, instigated significant government shake-ups following a contentious special meeting on September 1st. The meeting was initially called to debate a resolution for a data center moratorium, a key campaign promise for some of the newly elected members.
During the meeting, Village Attorney Wade Vose resigned, citing his inability to defend Indiantown against potential lawsuits from property owners due to his previous advice against a moratorium. Public speakers, including data center opposition leader Eric Miller and Land Use Attorney Bob Raynes, representing applicant Silver Fox 606 LLC, voiced strong opinions both for and against the proposed moratorium. Raynes warned the council that Senate Bill 180 could prohibit such a moratorium and vowed to protect his client's property rights.
After Vose's resignation, the council unanimously voted to hire Weiss, Serota, Helfman, Cole and Bierman as interim Village attorney. However, the momentum for the moratorium resolution then fractured the new council majority. Councilwoman Hernandez's motion to approve the moratorium resolution was ultimately rejected in a 1-4 vote. Immediately following this, Councilman Anthony Dowling initiated a motion for a vote of no confidence against Village Manager Taryn Kryzda, accusing staff of approving projects quickly and working against the new council's vision. The Village Council subsequently voted 3-2 to terminate Kryzda's contract, effective immediately.