Recall Petitions Will Be Costly for San Angelo Taxpayers
San Angelo taxpayers face potential costs of up to $150,000 for special elections if recall petitions against Mayor Tom Thompson and Councilman Harry Thomas succeed. These recall efforts, led by the San Angelo Data Center Citizen Coalition, stem from concerns about transparency surrounding a data center project and city handling of related land-use regulations. City officials defend their actions, citing the need for economic development and having already enacted specific data center regulations.
San Angelo, TX faces potential special elections that could cost taxpayers over $150,000, driven by active recall petitions against Mayor Tom Thompson and Councilman Harry Thomas. The recall efforts are coordinated by the San Angelo Data Center Citizen Coalition, which states its focus is on public process and transparency regarding a data center project, rather than direct opposition to the project itself. Coalition coordinator Richard Summers indicated the group is informal and volunteer-led.
The recall process requires specific signature thresholds and deadlines, with Councilman Thomas's petition having a notably low requirement. The article also notes questions circulating about Summers' background and potential links to national anti-data center networks, though no direct evidence connects them to the San Angelo group. These national groups, including the Halt the Harm Network, actively campaign against data center and AI infrastructure, often framing them as environmentally harmful and strategically problematic for the U.S.
Mayor Thompson and Councilman Thomas have defended the city's pursuit of major commercial and industrial projects, including the Emergent/Skybox data center, as crucial for addressing long-term fiscal pressures and reducing property tax burdens. Thompson highlighted the substantial property tax revenue a $7.2 billion data center could generate, equivalent to adding 90,000 homes. The San Angelo City Council approved specific land-use regulations for data centers and water use ordinances on May 19, 2026, while Tom Green County commissioners declined to impose a moratorium on such projects this week.