Little Rock Board of Directors Meeting 8.4.26

The City of Little Rock Board of Directors held a meeting on August 4, 2026, where several procurement-related resolutions were approved, including contracts for architectural services for the 911 communication center, purchase of a mower for the parks department, software support for police department vehicles, and installation of electric vehicle charging stations. A significant portion of the meeting focused on a contentious discussion regarding hyperscale data centers, particularly a proposed Google data center. Public speakers expressed concerns about environmental impacts, energy and water usage, transparency, and community effects. The board considered an ordinance to impose an eighteen-month moratorium on permitting and approval of hyperscale data centers to allow for comprehensive impact studies and public disclosures. After extensive public testimony and board debate, the moratorium failed to pass, receiving only four votes in favor out of ten, falling short of the six votes needed. The meeting also included discussions on zoning developments, emergency contracts, and amendments to city codes related to security services.