Detour: West 5th median on the way | City OK's Jerome data center water agreement | Stoll stumbles on mailer claims

Marysville City Council has approved a significant water agreement and an expansion of its Joint Economic Development District (JEDD) with Jerome Township, paving the way for a potential hyperscale data center. Assistant City Manager Jeremy Hoyt presented the terms of the water service deal, which allocates 40,000 gallons of water per day during peak cooling periods (May-September) and up to four times that amount during off-peak months. The agreement includes escalating penalties for exceeding usage limits, ranging from five to 500 times the standard rate, with repeated violations potentially leading to disconnection from the city's water system. The JEDD expansion, which incorporates land near Mitchell-Dewitt and Industrial Parkway, allows Marysville to collect income taxes generated at the site. Council member Zack Bordner had previously stressed the importance of securing a utility agreement before supporting the JEDD expansion. Despite a 5-2 vote in favor, with Council members Donald Boerger and Steven Wolfe dissenting, the council approved the measure. Council member Mark Reams highlighted the fiscal benefits, noting the potential loss of tax revenue if the property remained outside the JEDD. While the proposed data center development has not yet received formal approval, the water agreement and JEDD expansion are critical steps positioning the project to move forward. The site in Jerome Township will remain under the township's zoning authority, as emphasized by Council member Kelsey Takitch. City officials believe this agreement sets a precedent for managing high-demand industrial users while safeguarding the city's water system capacity.