Lee County Board Meeting - 06/25/2026

The Lee County Board meeting held on June 25, 2026, included significant discussions on zoning and planning related to renewable energy and technology infrastructure. The board approved a special use permit for Prairie Broom Solar LLC to develop a 180-megawatt commercial solar energy facility on 1,816 acres in Alto and Reynold townships, with conditions including decommissioning plans and water management requirements. Public comments focused extensively on concerns about potential AI data center developments, with multiple residents urging the board to impose a moratorium on new data centers due to environmental, noise, water usage, and community impact concerns. The board acknowledged these concerns and indicated the issue would be addressed in a future county services committee meeting. Additionally, the board moved forward with zoning ordinance amendments to comply with new state standards for wind and solar energy systems, reflecting ongoing efforts to regulate renewable energy projects in the county. No specific contract awards or procurement decisions were reported during this meeting.