Pulaski County justices override judge’s veto of data center regulations
The Pulaski County Quorum Court voted 10-4 to override County Judge Barry Hyde's veto of an ordinance regulating qualifying data center developments. The ordinance requires conditional use permits, electricity and water-use disclosures, emergency response plans, county review, and greater transparency for site-plan applications.
Pulaski County justices voted 10-4 to override County Judge Barry Hyde's veto of a data center regulation ordinance after months of debate. The measure requires data centers meeting certain size or power-use thresholds to obtain conditional use permits and provide information on expected electricity and water consumption, emergency response plans, and other development details.
Hyde opposed the ordinance over concerns about the county's legal authority, property rights and existing development agreements, warning that the county could face costly litigation. Supporters, including Justice of the Peace Julie Blackwood, said the rules are intended to protect taxpayers and establish clear requirements rather than oppose business or technology development. The Quorum Court also approved a transparency measure requiring the county's planning and development department to notify all justices of the peace when site-plan applications are filed.