06.02.2026 Stephens County Board of Commissioners live Stream

The Stephens County Board of Commissioners held a public meeting on June 2, 2026, focused exclusively on discussing a proposed ordinance regulating data centers within the county. The board reviewed a draft ordinance that includes definitions, zoning restrictions, conditional use requirements, and environmental and public safety standards for data centers, including minimum site area, setbacks, utility impact studies, cooling system mandates, and noise and light pollution controls. The ordinance aims to proactively establish guardrails to protect the community, especially given concerns about water usage, environmental impact, noise, and limited local job creation associated with data centers. Public comments overwhelmingly expressed opposition to data centers, citing potential negative effects on water resources, local agriculture, health, environment, and community character. Several speakers urged the board to impose strict regulations or moratoriums, referencing experiences from other counties and states. The board emphasized the importance of crafting a constitutionally sound ordinance that can withstand legal challenges and encouraged continued public engagement.