[1. Call to Order]
[00:00:07]
10:00 A.M., I WILL CALL US TO ORDER.
IF ANYONE COULD STAND FOR THE INVOCATION AND THE PLEDGE.
>> HEAVENLY FATHER, WE COME BEFORE YOU TODAY WITH HUMBLE HEARTS SEEKING YOUR WISDOM, GUIDANCE, AND PEACE AS WE GATHERED TO SERVE THE PEOPLE OF GRAYSON COUNTY.
WE THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEAD AND TO MAKE DECISIONS THAT IMPACT OUR COMMUNITY. GRANT US DISCERNMENT TO ACT WITH JUSTICE, FAIRNESS, AND INTEGRITY.
HELP US TO LISTEN WITH OPEN HEARTS, TO SPEAK WITH KINDNESS, AND TO WORK TOGETHER IN UNITY FOR THE GREATER GOOD.
MAY OUR DISCUSSION BE PRODUCTIVE, OUR DECISIONS BE WISE, AND OUR ACTIONS REFLECT THE BEST INTEREST OF THOSE WE SERVE. WE ASK YOU FOR YOUR BLESSINGS UPON OUR COUNTY, ITS LEADERS, AND ITS CITIZENS COULD PROTECT OUR FIRST RESPONDERS, STRENGTH AND OUR FAMILIES, AND BRING PROSPERITY AND PEACE TO OUR COMMUNITIES.
IN YOUR HOLY NAME WE PRAY, AMEN. >> AMEN.
>> I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.
>> HONOR AND PROTECT THE FLAG. I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO TEXAS,
ALL RIGHT. THAT BRINGS US TO ITEM FOUR, ANNOUNCEMENTS OR DO WE HAVE ANY ANNOUNCEMENTS THIS MORNING? OKAY. I GUESS THAT IS NOT AN ANNOUNCEMENT. HEARING NONE, BRINGS US TO PUBLIC COMMENTS. CITIZENS MAY SPEAK ON ITEMS LISTED ON THIS AGENDA. THE REQUEST TO SPEAK CARDS SHOULD BE COMPLETED AND RETURNED TO COURT BEFORE THE COMMISSIONER'S CLERK CONVENES. THEY ARE LIMITED TO 3 MINUTES.
I HAVE SEVERAL REQUESTS TO SPEAK CARDS.
I'M ASSUMING THAT YOU WANT TO SPEAK ON THE DATA CENTER ITEM.
DO YOU WANT TO SPEAK NOW OR WAIT TILL WE GET TO THAT ITEM? I'M ASSUMING WAIT UNTIL WE GET TO THAT ITEM.
[6. Act on Minutes]
OKAY. ALL RIGHT.ITEM SIX, ACT ON THE MINUTES OF MARCH 3RD 2026.
>> MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF MARCH 3RD 2026.
>> SECOND. >> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER MARR,
[7. Consent Agenda]
SECOND BY ARTHUR. IT ALL IN FAVOR?>> AYE. >> THE MOTION CARRIES.
THEY ARE CONSIDERED TO BE ROUTINE BY THE COURT AND WILL BE ENACTED WITH ONE MOTION PER THERE WERE NOT BE SEPARATE TO SUCTION ITEMS UNLESS IT IS SO REQUESTED AT WHICH POINT THEY WILL BE REMOVED BY THE GENERAL ORDER OF BUSINESS AND CONSIDERED IN THE NORMAL SEQUENCE. NO REQUEST TO MOVE ANYTHING SO I ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA.
>> SECOND. >> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER WRIGHT
[8. Act on Bills]
AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ARTHUR.PAYMENT BILLS FOR MARCH 17TH 2026, $8.25266825 TO SILSBEE FORD FOR THE PURCHASE OF A FORD F-150.
181,001 OR $28 TO THE CITY OF SHARON FOR 2025 THROUGH MARCH 2026 EMS AND FIRE PROTECTION SERVICES.
A .4, AUTHORIZE PAYMENT OF $797,292.36 FOR MARCH 2026.
>> MOVED TO PAY THE BILLS PAIRED.
>> SECOND. IT'S BECOME SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER WRIGHT. ALL IN FAVOR?
[9.1 Discuss and take action to approve a resolution regarding the establishment of additional data centers in the Texas.]
>> AYE. >> ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION CARRIES. 9.1 DISCUSSING ACTION TO IMPROVE A RESOLUTION REGARDING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF ADDITIONAL DATA CENTERS IN TEXAS. WHAT WE ARE GOING TO DISCUSS IS A RESOLUTION THAT WE ARE SUBMITTING WHICH WE HAVE PULLED UP THERE. IT IS BASICALLY A RESOLUTION BY OUR COUNTY, SUPPORTED BY OTHER COUNTIES FOR ASKING THE STATE TO LOOK INTO REGULATIONS TO PREVENT OR MANAGE DATA CENTERS THAT ARE COMING TO TEXAS. WE UNDERSTAND THAT THERE IS A NEED FOR THAT AND WE UNDERSTAND THAT THE GOVERNOR IS IN SUPPORT OF THEM BUT WE WANT SOME TEETH AND ABILITIES TO LIMIT WHERE THEY GO, IF THEY COME, OR ANYTHING ELSE.
CURRENTLY WE DON'T HAVE ANY DATA CENTERS THAT HAVE APPLIED TO COME TO THE COUNTY BUT WE ARE TRYING TO GET AHEAD OF THE CURVE IN SUPPORT AND FORCE OUR LEGISLATURES AS THEY MEET THIS
[00:05:01]
COMING JANUARY 2 GIVE US SOME ABILITY TO HAVE A SAY ON IF THEY COME OR NOT COME OR IF THEY DO COME, WHERE THEY GO BECAUSE AS YOU KNOW, WE ARE A PROPERTY RIGHTS STATE SO PEOPLE CAN DO WHAT THEY WANT WITH THEIR LAND WHICH IS GREAT UNTIL YOUR NEIGHBOR DOES SOMETHING YOU DON'T LIKE OR YOU DO SOMETHING YOUR NEIGHBOR DOESN'T LIKE. WITH THIS RESOLUTION WHICH IS POSTED ON THE WEBSITE IF YOU WANT TO READ IT AND FALL IS WE ARE ASKING THE STATE LEGISLATURES, SENATE AND HOUSE, TO LOOK AT THIS AND GIVE US THE ABILITY TO HAVE SOME CONTROL OVER IT. SO WITH THAT, I HAVE JILL FE FERGUS. DO YOU WANT TO SPEAK? OKAY. SOME OF YOU HAVE HANDWRITING LIKE ME. [LAUGHTER] EUGENE. DO YOU WANT TO SPEAK ON IT? IF YOU WOULD, STEP OVER TO THE MICROPHONE AND SAY YOUR NAME ANDYOUR ADDRESS, PLEASE. >> EUGENE COFER, MY ADDRESS IS 2029 PINK HILL ROAD. MY CONCERN, I DID EXPRESS THEM TO COMMISSIONER MARR EARLIER, BUT WE DO HAVE CONCERNS WHETHER THE POWER. THAT IS OUR CONCERN AS RESIDENTS OF THAT AREA. WE HAVE SEEN SOME THINGS THAT SAY IT MAY BE IN SAVOY AND WE ARE CONCERNED THAT THE POWER WILL BE A DRAIN ON OUR SYSTEMS AND AFFECT US.
WE HAVE ENOUGH POWER OUTAGES AS IT IS.
ALSO THE WATER CONCERNS CONCERN US BECAUSE WE LIVE ON A SMALL RURAL WATER SYSTEM AND I ALREADY KNOW OUR WATER SYSTEM CANNOT HANDLE THE ADDITIONAL WATER INTAKE THAT A DATA CENTER WOULD TAKE. ONE OF THE OTHER CONCERNS THAT I HAVE IS MINING A COIN OR WHATEVER CRYPTOCURRENCY MINING ACTIVITY, AS IT REALLY IN THE BEST INTEREST OF GRAYSON COUNTY
>> I WILL STOP AT THAT, SERVE YOUR THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, SIR. CINDY.
IT WASN'T GOING TO ATTEMPT THAT. >> MY NAME IS CINDY TRANS ON KNOW AND WE MOVED HERE. IF I COULD TELL YOU MY ADDRESS, I WOULD PAIRED I THINK IT IS 1699 NORTH LYONS.
I'M SORRY, I'M GOING TO READ SOMETHING TO YOU AND I APPRECIATE YOUR ALLOWING ME THIS TIME.
WE MOVED TO SAVOY FOUR YEARS AGO WITH THE INTENT OF MAKING OUR FOREVER HOME PAIRED WE PARTICIPATED IN PROPERTY AND HAVE INVESTIGATED TIME AND EFFORT REVITALIZING PASTORS AND MAINTAINING FASTING. IN 2024, ENERGY SOURCE SYSTEMS BROKE GROUND AND IT WASN'T UNTIL THE TOWN HALL THAT WE BECAME FULLY AWARE OF THE SCOPE AND SEQUENCE TO THE PROPERTY LINE.
IT IS ON OUR EASTERN PROPERTY LINE.
OUR HOME WAS DIRECTLY IMPACTED. FROM THE BACK PORCH WE LOOK ON TO THE FACILITY PAIRED FOR THE FIRST TWO YEARS OF PROPERTY, AND HOUSED MANY HONEY BEE HIVES ALONG THE FENCE LINE.
OVER 400. SINCE CONSTRUCTION BEGAN, THOSE WHO WORKED ON THE HONEY, CLEAR CHANGES IN THEIR BEHAVIOR AND IT APPEARS THE SITE OFF OF HIGHWAY 82 AND SAVOY IS NO LONGER BEING USED FOR THE HONEY PRODUCTION.
LIKELY DUE TO THE DISRUPTION OF THEIR NORMAL HABITAT.
OUR LIVESTOCK HAS ALSO BEEN AFFECTED.
OUR LONGHORNS PREVIOUSLY USED THE PASTURE ALONG THE PENS BEHIND OUR POND AS A REFUGE IN A WINDBREAKER THAT PASTURE IS NOW USED AS A THOROUGHFARE TO GET FROM ONE TO ANOTHER.
THEY DON'T REST THERE ANYMORE. WE ARE SURE THAT IT WOULD NOT PRODUCE ANY NOISE, HOWEVER THAT IS NOT BEEN OUR EXPERIENCE PER THERE IS A CONSTANT HUMMING FROM THE INDUSTRIAL FANS AT ALL HOURS OF THE DAY AND NIGHT AND AT TIMES THE NOISE INTENSIFIES SIGNIFICANTLY SOUNDING LIKE A JET ENGINE.
I DON'T KNOW WHY, BUT IT DOES. OVER THE PAST YEAR WE WATCHED FARMLAND BE STRIPPED AWAY OR EVEN THE INDIVIDUAL WHO HAS HELPED TO INITIATE THIS PROJECT HAS COME TO RECOGNIZE THAT THE FACILITY AND LIVING NEXT TO IT IS NOT SUSTAINABLE HE RETAINED HIS 25 ACRES THAT IS LEASED TO THE BEST FACILITY AND HAS SOLD THE REMAINDER OF HIS FAMILY PROPERTY.
OVER THE PAST YEARS, OUR PROPERTY TAXES HAVE DECREASED, AND ACKNOWLEDGMENT BY THE COUNTY LEVEL THAT THE PRESENCE OF THE
[00:10:02]
FACILITY HAS NEGATIVELY IMPACTED THE SURROUNDING PROPERTY VALUES.FOR THE SAKE OF OUR HEALTH, SAFETY, AND OVERALL WELL-BEING WE MADE THE DIFFICULT DECISION TO PUT OUR HOUSE ON THE MARKET AND TAKING A 7% LOSS ON THE SALE.
THE DAY WE WALKED INTO THE TITLE TO CLOSE ON OUR HOME, THE TITLE COMPANY TO CLOSE ON OUR HOME WAS ONE OF THE HARDEST MOMENTS OF MY LIFE. I WAS OVERCOME WITH EMOTION AND FOUND MYSELF IN TEARS. BEING FORCED TO SELL SOMETHING THAT YOU LOVE BECAUSE OF THE ACTIONS OF OTHERS AND LEAVES YOU FEELING HELPLESS AND HEARTBROKEN.
YOU MAY ASK WHY I STILL CHOOSE TO FIGHT.
THE ANSWER IS SIMPLE. WHAT IS HAPPENING IS WRONG.
THESE COMPANIES TARGET RURAL AREAS WHERE LAND IS LESS EXPENSIVE AND REGULATIONS ARE LIMITED.
TOO OFTEN THEY TAKE ADVANTAGE OF COMMUNITIES THEY MIGHT NOT HAVE THE RESOURCES OR INFORMATION TO FULLY UNDERSTAND THE LONG-TERM CONSEQUENCES. AT ITS CORE, THE DIRECT IMPACT OF OUR MOST VITAL NATURAL RESOURCES, LAND, WATER, ELECTRICITY ARE COMPROMISED AND THE AFFECT RIPPLES DOWN PAST THE PROPERTY LINE. THE FACILITY IS NOT A GOOD NEIGHBOR. A GOOD NEIGHBOR IS TRANSPARENT, FORTHCOMING, HONEST. WHAT HAPPENS ON ONE PROPERTY COULD NOT -- SHOULD NOT DIRECTLY AND NEGATIVELY IMPACT THE OF ANOTHER PAIR BUT THAT IS WHAT WE ARE EXPERIENCING.
MY HUSBAND AND I HAVE BEEN DEEPLY INVOLVED IN UNDERSTANDING THE ISSUE PRETTY WE HAVE ATTENDED NUMEROUS COMMISSIONERS COUNTY COURTS. WE HAVE WORKED WITH THEM CLOSELY. WE SOUGHT TO SEEK GUIDANCE FROM INDEPENDENT SPECIALISTS AND ENGINEERS TO BETTER UNDERSTAND THE FACILITY. DATA CENTER COMPANIES WILL PRESENT A COMPELLING NATURE, INCREASED TAX REVENUE, MINIMAL NOISE, CUTTING-EDGE TECHNOLOGY. BUT IT IS CRITICAL TO LOOK BEYOND THE SALES PITCH. DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH.
LOOK AT THE COMMUNITIES LIKE VINEYARD IN NEW JERSEY THAT ARE ALREADY EXPERIENCING WHAT IT IS LIKE TO LIVE NEXT INFRASTRUCTURE LIKE THIS. WITH NEW TECHNOLOGY COMES UNCERTAINTY. THE EFFECT ON HEALTH, LAND, AND WATER AND OVERALL QUALITY OF LIFE WILL NOT BE KNOWN FOR 5, 10, OR 15 YEARS AND THAT UNCERTAINTY CARRIES REAL-LIFE CONSEQUENCES FOR THE FAMILY THAT LIVE NEARBY.
DO WE WANT FAMILIES LIKE THE MCALLISTER'S WITH YOUNG CHILDREN TO BEAR THAT BURDEN? BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT IT BECOMES.
A REAL-LIFE EXPERIMENT WHERE RISKS ARE NOT SHOULDERED ON THE COMPANIES BUT THE PEOPLE THAT LIVE NEARBY.
I AM NOT ONE THAT IS AGAINST DEVELOPMENT AND PROGRESS.
IT IS THE TIME AND THE PLACE. IT IS AT THE RIGHT TIME TO HAVE THIS FACILITY HERE AND IS AT THE RIGHT PLACE FOR THE CLOSE PROXIMITY TO PEOPLE THAT ARE LIVING THERE? I APPRECIATE YOUR TIME, THANK YOU.
>> ALL RIGHT. UNDERSTAND THAT CURRENTLY WE DON'T HAVE ANY REQUESTS OR ANYTHING IN GRAYSON COUNTY FOR ANY DATA CENTERS, ANY BATTERY STORAGE CENTERS OR ANYTHING E ELSE. THE POINT OF THE RESOLUTION IS TO GET AHEAD OF THIS. AS BEST WE CAN.
HOPEFULLY ANY FACEBOOK POST DIDN'T STOKE FEARS THAT WE HAVE ONE THAT IS IMMINENT. I THINK IT WAS MEANT TO BE INFORMATIONAL, BUT HOPEFULLY YOU ARE NOT FREAKING OUT THINKING WE HAVE ONE COMING THIS MOMENT. IF THAT IS THE CASE, I APOLOGIZE ON BEHALF OF THE COURT FOR SOME PEOPLE'S ACTIONS.
LAUREN WILSON. REMEMBER, 3 MINUTES IF YOU CAN.
>> I TRIED TO CONSOLIDATE THE BEST I COULD HEAR MY NAME IS LAUREN WILSON. JUST A START, THERE IS LAND THAT IS CURRENTLY BEING PURCHASED AND LOOKED INTO.
TO MY UNDERSTANDING, SPECIFICALLY FOR AN AI DATA CENTER. THIS IS ACROSS THE STREET FROM MY HOME. I HAVE TWO YOUNG CHILDREN.
I JUST WANT TO START TO SAY THAT I AM HERE TODAY BECAUSE I'M DEEPLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE IMPACT A FACILITY LIKE THAT WOULD HAVE ON MY FAMILY. AND OUR COMMUNITIES.
>> IF YOU COULD, SILENCE YOUR CELL PHONES, PLEASE.
>> I DON'T WANT TO GET TO -- THIS IS VERY EARLY ON.
LIKE YOU SAID, THERE IS NO REQUESTS OF YET.
BUT I HAVE DONE A LITTLE BIT OF RESEARCH ON DATA CENTERS AND HOW THEY AFFECT A COMMUNITY, ESPECIALLY AT THE SCALE THAT MAY COME. FIRST, THE FACILITIES CREATE MAJOR LIGHT POLLUTION, CONSTANT INDUSTRIAL NOISE THAT CAN RUN 24 HOURS A DAY THAT WOULD AFFECT NEARBY RESIDENTS, WILDLIFE, AND THE OVERALL QUALITY OF LIFE AND WHAT IS CURRENTLY A QUIET RURAL AREA. I MET 802 AMBROSE ROAD.
I FORGOT TO SAY THAT INITIALLY. THE PROPOSED LAND, IT'S RIGHT ACROSS THE STREET FROM MY HOUSE. NOT ONLY AM I CONCERNED ABOUT THIS FOR MYSELF AND MY FAMILY, BUT HOW THIS WOULD CHANGE.
WHEN YOU TAKE THE EXIT, IT WOULD BE RIGHT THERE SMACK DAB IN THE MIDDLE OF THE CITY. MY HUSBAND HAS BEEN HERE FOR
[00:15:05]
GENERATIONS AND I AM CONCERNED ABOUT HOW THIS WOULD AFFECT OUR CITY. IT IS A MILE FROM THE ELEMENTARY, MIDDLE, AND HIGH SCHOOL.THERE'S ALREADY A PRETTY SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF TRAFFIC ON OUR ROAD. TO MY UNDERSTANDING IT COULD TAKE 1-3 YEARS FOR ONE OF THESE FACILITIES TO BE BUILT.
IT WOULD OUTSOURCE, TYPICALLY, HUNDREDS OF WORKERS.
NOT LOCAL TO OUR STREETS. THAT WOULD CAUSE SIGNIFICANT TRAFFIC INFLUX IN OUR AREA. JUST ONE MOMENT.
THE PROPOSED LOCATION, LIKE I SAID, IT IS WITHIN A MILE OF THE ELEMENTARY, MIDDLE, AND HIGH SCHOOL WHICH RAISES CONCERNS ABOUT INCREASED TRA TRAFFIC, DISRUPTIONS, INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITY SO CLOSE TO STUDENTS AND FAMILIES.
MY POINT BEING, IT'S NOT REALLY -- WE UNDERSTAND THAT THERE IS A NEED FOR THESE TYPES OF FACILITIES, I JUST DON'T NECESSARILY THINK THAT THIS IS THE CORRECT PLACE.
WHILE CONSTRUCTION MAY TEMPORARILY BRING ECONOMIC GROWTH AND ACTIVITY, THESE FACILITIES PROVIDE VERY FEW PERMANENT JOBS AND ONCE THEY ARE OPERATIONAL, THEY LEAVE COMMUNITIES WITH A LONG-TERM IMPACT AND VERY LITTLE LONG-TERM BENEFIT FOR THE CITY. FOR THIS REASON, AGAIN, I KNOW IT'S VERY PRELIMINARY, I JUST ASK THAT THE COUNTY CAREFULLY REVIEW WHETHER THIS PROJECT IS APPROPRIATE FOR THIS LOCATION.
I WILL LEAVE IT AT THAT. THANK YOU, SIR.
NEIGHBOR. >> JUDGE TO BE BE 22, GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS, GOOD MORNING PAIRED THANK YOU FOR HAVING US AND ALLOWING US TO SPEAK TODAY ON THIS PARTICULAR RESOLUTION. I LIVE AT 340 THOMPSON DRIVE.
I AM HERE ADVOCATING FOR SOME OTHER FRIENDS THAT ARE MORE IN THE RURAL COMMUNITY BUT I WOULD LIKE TO CHIME IN WITH MY OWN PERSONAL OPINIONS ABOUT TAX STATEMENTS BEFORE I READ THEIR STATEMENTS. I DON'T BELIEVE THAT THE COUNTY SHOULD EVER GIVE TAX PAYMENTS TO COMPANIES THAT CAN VERIFIABLY AFFORD TO BE HERE AND DO THEIR OWN PROJECTS.
I DON'T THINK THAT SHOULD FALL UPON THE TAXPAYER TO SUBSIDIZE THAT. WITH THAT, I'M GOING TO READ -- IT'S KIND OF OUT OF ORDER SO I APOLOGIZE.
I AM A DIFFERENT SECTION THAN SOMEBODY ELSE THAT IS GOING TO READ RIGHT NOW. TALKING POINT NUMBER 4, ECONOMIC DISPARITY AND CRITICAL REVIEW OF THE IMPACT ON COMMUNITIES WITH GIANT DATA CENTER CAMPUSES WILL ALSO REVEAL EXPANSION AND FOR STRUCTURE DAMAGE. THE CONSTRUCTION PHASE WILL INVOLVE HEAVY TRUCKS ON ROADS, ON RURAL ROADS, NOT RATED FOR SUCH LOADS LEADING THE EXPENSE OF REPAIR COSTS FROM THE DESTRUCTION AND THE DESTRUCTIVE NATURE THAT THEY HAVE ON OUR ENVIRONMENT THAT CAN NEVER BE REPAIRED.
LOCAL TAXPAYERS WOULD HAVE TO COVER THE EXTRA COSTS TO FIX THE ROADS THAT CAN AND MUST BE REPAIRED.
PROPERTY VALUES, AS SOMEONE MENTIONED, STUDIES IN SIMILAR RURAL JURISDICTIONS HAVE SHOWN THAT PROXIMITY TO INDUSTRIAL DATA CENTERS CAN DECREASE RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY VALUES BY 10%-20% DUE TO NOISE AND LOSS OF SCENIC WORLDVIEWS.
THIS IS WHY PEOPLE APPROPRIATE PURCHASE PROPERTY AND RURAL TEXAS COUNTIES, TO AVOID NOISY CONGESTIVE DATA CENTERS.
TAX BURDEN, VERY LITTLE EQUIPMENT AND DATA CENTERS IS TAXED AS REAL PROPERTY. IN MANY AREAS, THE SERVERS DEPRECIATE, EXPONENTIALLY DEPRECIATE AND THE CENTER TECHNOLOGY HAS TO BE REPLACED EVERY THREE HAVE BEEN FIVE YEARS. THIS CAN REQUIRE ADDITIONAL FINANCES, FINANCIAL INCENTIVES FOR LOCAL TAXPAYERS ALSO THE LONG-TERM TAX REVENUE OFTEN ENDS UP BEING MUCH LOWER THAN INITIALLY PROMISED. THIS PRODUCES ANOTHER TAX BURDEN ON LOCAL RANCHERS, FARMERS, AND RESIDENTS ALREADY DEALING WITH OVERTAXED AND NARROW PROFIT MARGIN INDUSTRIES.
THE SUMMARY, IF I COULD GET THROUGH THAT, IT IS PRUDENT FOR OUR RURAL COUNTY COMMISSIONERS TO SCRUTINIZE THE IMPACT OF DATA CENTERS IN AND AROUND COMMUNITIES.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR PREEMPTIVE DUE DILIGENCE, HOWEVER IT IS ALSO IMPORTANT TO TALK ABOUT THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM, THE DESTRUCTIVE NATURE OF PROMISES MADE AND BROKEN BY DATA CENTER DEVELOPERS. THAT INFORMATION IS OUT THERE.
IT IS ALL THROUGH SEVERAL YEARS OF PEOPLE COMPILING ALL OVER THE U.S. REGARDING WHAT WAS PROMISED VERSUS WHAT WAS DELIVERED. A CRITICAL REVIEW MUST BE CONDUCTED OF SIMILAR CITIES AND COMMUNITIES IN THE UNITED STATES WHOSE LEADERS SET UP DATA CENTERS WITH GUARDRAILS.
THESE LEADERS, JUST LIKE YOU, WERE TRYING TO PROTECT THEIR COMMUNITIES. UNFORTUNATELY FOR MANY OF THESE DATA CENTERS, COMMUNITIES, THE PRECAUTIONS WERE EITHER IMPOTENT OR IGNORED. ONCE QUIET PRISTINE AREA WITH
[00:20:02]
HARDWORKING RESIDENTS WORKING IN THEM ARE NOW PLAGUED WITH INDUSTRIAL CLUTTER, INCREASED TAXES, TORN UP ROADS, INCESSANT NOISE AROUND THE CHILDREN OF HOMES, LIVESTOCK, BUSINESSES, AND LIVES. TO PRESERVE WHAT ALL OF US HAVE WORKED TO ENJOY, WE ARE FOR REQUEST.ONE, ENCOURAGE OUR COMMISSIONERS AND STATE LEADERS TO JOIN A GROUP OF CITIZENS, BUSINESS OWNERS, RANCHERS, FLAMERS AND PROTECTING OUR BEAUTIFUL TEXAS. TWO, WE WOULD LIKE TO PROPOSE THE ADOPTION OF CERTAIN PRACTICES AND REGULATIONS FOR ZONING, PROTECTION AND PRICE PENALTIES FOR ANY DATA CENTER CURRENT AND FUTURE THAT IS OUT OF COMPLIANCE OF THESE REGULATIONS, THREE REQUEST OUR COMMISSIONERS AND STATE AUTHORITIES PROVE WITH MEASURABLE FACTS WHY ANOTHER DATA CENTER WOULD BE BETTER THAN AN ALTERNATIVE INDUSTRY AND FOUR, WE RESPECT YOUR REQUEST AT LEAST ONE MONTH IN ADVANCE OF ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION BY OUR COMMISSIONERS REGARDING THE DEVELOPMENT OF DATA CENTERS IN TEXAS WITH THE INCLUSION OF QUALITY TIME RESERVED FOR PUBLIC DISCOURSE.
>> THANK YOU. BEFORE WE GO TO THE NEXT PERSON, GOING TO READ SOME OF WHAT IS IN THE RESOLUTION.
INDEPENDENT IMPACT ANALYSIS IS ONE SECTION.
NOTE WHAT WE ARE ASKING THEM TO DO FROM THE STATE LEVEL IS NO FUTURE DATA CENTER PROJECT SHOULD PROCEED WITHOUT RIGOROUS INDEPENDENT ASSESSMENT OF IMPACTS ON GRID RELIABILITY AND TRANSMISSION CAPACITY. IMPACTS ON A REGIONAL WATER AVAILABILITY AND DROUGHT CONTINGENCY PLANNING, IMPACTS ON AGRICULTURAL LANDS, WILDLIFE HABITATS, NATURAL DRAINAGE PATTERNS, AND POTENTIAL HABITAT FRAGMENTATION INCLUDING EFFECTS ON PRIME FARMLAND, SOIL INTEGRITY, STORMWATER RUNOFF.
LONG-TERM INFRASTRUCTURE COSTS BORNE BY TAXPAYERS AND OF EFFECTS SURROUNDING RESIDENTIAL AGRICULTURE LAND USE.
GRAYSON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT RESPECTFULLY REQUESTS THE GOVERNOR AND TEXAS LEGISLATURE TO DESIGNATE THE MATTER AS AN INTERIM STUDY PRIORITY FOR APPROPRIATE LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEES TO EVALUATE GRID RELIABILITY, CONSUMPTION, AUTHORITY, INFRASTRUCTURE IMPACTS, AND FISCAL IMPLICATIONS AND CONSIDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES WARRANT TIMELY ACTION, INCLUSION OF THIS ISSUE IS A CALL FOR A SPECIAL SESSION OF THE TEXAS LEGISLATURE TO ADDRESS URGENT RELIABILITY, WATER SUPPLY, LOCAL GOVERNMENT CONCERNS, AND ENACTED LEGISLATION PROVIDING COUNTIES AND MUNICIPALITIES MEANINGFUL PARTICIPATION IN AUTHORITY AND LAND-USE INFRASTRUCTURE PLANNING AND RESOURCE REVIEW RELATED TO LARGE-SCALE DATA CENTERS. THAT IS THE BOTTOM SECTION OF IT. I ENCOURAGE YOU TO ALL READ THE RESOLUTION AND KNOW THAT WE AGREE WITH YOUR CONCERNS.
NONE OF US IN THIS COURT WANT TO SEE A DATA CENTER OR A BATTERY STORAGE FACILITY COME TO OUR AREA.
DOING RESEARCH ON IT, I'M AWARE OF THE LIGHT POLLUTION, THE NOISE POLLUTION, THE CONSTANT HUMMING FROM THE BATTERIES, PLUS THE DRAIN ON WATER AND EVERYTHING ELSE.
WITH THAT, WE WILL GO ON TO MASON.
IF YOU WOULD, STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS WORSE.
>> MY NAME IS MASON MCALLISTER AND I LIVE AT 930 U.S. HIG HIGHWAY 82. MY PURPOSE OF THAT POST WAS NOT TO STOKE FEAR. I WAS APPROACHED BY THIS FEBRUARY OF 2025. THEY CAME AND TOLD ME EXACTLY WHERE THEY WANTED IT, I DID NOT KNOW ABOUT THE SAVOY STUFF THEN.
I'M FINDING OUT ABOUT THAT. WE HAVE APPROVED PERMITS FOR POWER PLANTS THERE. WE HAVE WATER INFRASTRUCTURE THERE OUT OF MIDLAND. WE HAVE OTHER LLCS TIED TO COMPANIES. THOSE PROPERTIES WERE BOUGHT THAT ARE ACTUALLY ON THE MARKET. WHAT THEY HAVE UNDER CONTRACT RIGHT NOW IS AN OPTION AND THAT, TO MY KNOWLEDGE.
I HAVE NOTHING TO GAIN BY POSTING THIS.
I DIDN'T EVEN HAVE A FACEBOOK UNTIL TWO MONTHS AGO.
THAT WAS MY FIRST POST. I DON'T WANT THE ATTENTION, I DON'T WANT TO BE UP YOUR DOING THIS.
I'M DOING THIS BECAUSE I'M TRYING TO GIVE US A PUNCHER'S CHANCE IN STOPPING THIS. I TALKED TO SHELLEY ABOUT THIS BEFORE. I'VE TAKEN PHONE CALLS OVER T THIS. WITH THAT, I WILL READ WHAT I WAS GOING TO SAY. MY WIFE AND I WERE BOTH IN REAL ESTATE, SO WE DO SUPPORT ECONOMIC GROWTH AND INNOVATION HERE IN TEXAS. DATA CENTERS ARE UNFORTUNATELY
[00:25:02]
AN IMPORTANT PART OF MODERN SOCIETY NOW DUE TO NATIONAL SECURITY THE WAY WE SEE IT. IT'S GOING TO BE A NEVER ENDING RACE TO HAVE THE BEST AI. BUT GROWTH MUST BE DONE RESPONSIBLY. TEXAS IS ALREADY FACING SERIOUS CHALLENGES WITH WATER, ELECTRIC GRID, RELIABILITY, INFRASTRUCTURE DEMANDS, AND IT WHEN LARGE-SCALE DEVELOPMENT SITE DATA CENTERS MOVE FORWARD WITHOUT PROPER SAFEGUARDS, THE BURDEN FALLS ON PEOPLE WHO LIVE THERE.OUR FAMILIES, OUR FARMERS, OUR SMALL BUSINESSES.
IT IS A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION AND I APPRECIATE YOU DOING IT. BUT I WANT TO BE CLEAR THAT THE PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY BELIEVE A LOT MORE SHOULD BE DONE AND NEEDS TO BE DONE. WE NEED SAFEGUARDS, WE NEED REAL TRANSPARENCY, REAL ACCOUNTABILITY, WHEN PROJECTS OF THIS SCALE ARE PROPOSED. COMMUNITIES LIKE OURS DESERVE A MEANINGFUL VOICE IN THE DECISIONS THAT COULD AFFECT OUR'S WATER SUPPLY, ELECTRIC GRID, AND FARMLAND.
AND OUR INFRASTRUCTURE FOR DECADES TO COME.
RESPONSIBLE DEVELOPMENT MEANS ASKING THE HARD QUESTIONS RIGHT NOW. NOT AFTER THE PROBLEMS APPEAR.
BE PROACTIVE RATHER THAN REACTIVE IS MY WHOLE THING.
WE DESERVE GROWTH THAT STRENGTHENS THE FUTURE AND QUIETLY SHIFTS ONTO RESIDENCE. WHILE THIS RESOLUTION IS A GOOD STEP FORWARD, I ENCOURAGE EVERYBODY TO PUSH HER STATE LEADERS FOR STRONGER PROTECTIONS, BETTER PLANNING, AND A MUCH GREATER LOCAL AUTHORITY MOVING FORWARD.
OUR KIDS AND OUR KIDS KIDS DESERVE THAT.
THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME TALK. >> THANK YOU, MASON.
YOU HAVE 11 SECONDS LEFT. [LAUGHTER] ALL RIGHT. HEATHER PETITIONER.
THERE IT IS. >> THERE IS YOUR 11 SECONDS.
MY NAME IS HEATHER AND MY ADDRESS IS 221 EAST ROY AYRES ROAD IN BELLES. I AM THE OWNER OF PUBLIC FARMS AND PUBLIC FARMS BAKERY. I AM A BUSINESS MEMBER OF THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND I HAVE BEEN ON THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BOARD AS A MEMBER AND AS THE PRESIDENT.
I AM HERE WITH SO MANY OTHERS BECAUSE I AM SCARED OF WHAT MIGHT BE COMING. I MOVED HERE FROM OUT OF STATE, BOUGHT MY LAND IN 2015. MOVE MY FAMILY HERE IN 2018 TO HAVE A RURAL LIFESTYLE. CLEAN AIR, CLEAN WATER, CLEAN FOOD, SEE THE STARS AT NIGHT, THINGS THEY WERE GETTING BEFORE.
TO ME, THIS IS A BIG THREAT FOR ALL OF US AND I JUST WANT THE COMMISSIONERS COURT TO ALL KNOW THAT IT'S NOT JUST YOU ALL THAT FEEL THAT WAY A LITTLE BIT. IT'S ALL OF US.
WE ALL FEEL THIS WAY. THAT'S WHY WE ARE ALL HERE.
I'M SCARED ABOUT WHAT AI DATA CENTERS, THE UNKNOWN FIRST OF ALL BECAUSE THERE ARE STUDIES, THERE IS, BUT IS STILL NEW.
WE DON'T KNOW WHAT IMPACT IT WILL HAVE ON US IN THE FUTURE, BUT WE KNOW IN THE IMMEDIATE THERE WILL BE AN IMPACT ON WATER, ELECTRIC, THE ENVIRONMENT, OUR LIVESTOCK, OUR KIDS, PUTTING DATA CENTERS POTENTIAL NEAR OUR SCHOOL.
THE POTENTIAL TO HAVE THEM NEAR SCHOOLS IS FRIGHTENING TO ME.
ECONOMIC PROSPERITY, I KNOW THAT IS THE BIG CHATTER AROUND HERE.
IT WILL BE SO GOOD FOR THE COMMUNITY AND YOU GRIPE ABOUT HOW WE CAN'T FIX OUR ROADS AND THIS AND THAT.
WE HAVE ECONOMIC PROSPERITY COMING.
THE METRO PARKS BRAWLS IS COMING OUR WAY.
SHERMAN IS GROWING WITH THE INDUSTRY.
SMALL TOWN FAVORITE. ECONOMIC PROSPERITY IS GOING TO BE HERE. WE JUST HAVE TO BE PATIENT AND WAIT FOR IT. THE DATA CENTERS ARE NOT THE WAY, IN MY OPINION, TO ACHIEVE THAT.
WE HAVE EVERYTHING NEGATIVE AND EVERYTHING THAT WE AS RURAL COMMUNITY MEMBERS DO NOT WANT TO SEE.
TAKE A DEEP BREATH. >> YOU CAN'T GET HERE WITHOUT MY HEIGHT. FIRST OF ALL I WANT TO RECOGNIZE AND APPLAUD WHAT YOU ARE DOING HERE.
I CANNOT THANK YOU ENOUGH. IF MY HUSBAND WERE HERE, MY BELOVED HUSBAND, HE WOULD TELL YOU THE SAME THING.
WE APPRECIATE WHAT YOU ARE DOING PREEMPTIVELY.
I FEEL VERY PASSIONATE ABOUT THIS.
WE ARE BORN AND BRED TEXANS. HUSBAND IS A FORMER MARINE.
VERY ACTIVE IN MY COMMUNITY AND PLAY NOW.
WHERE WE FINALLY FLED BECAUSE OF THE CONGESTION, THE OUT-OF-CONTROL GROWTH, THE IS THE PUBLIC MUSLIMS TAKING OVER
[00:30:06]
OUR CITY. OUR COMMUNITY AND FORCING SHARIA LAW ON OUR HOMES. IN OUR NEIGHBORHOODS.WE CAME HERE TO WHITESBORO 1080 TO FIND WHAT WE WERE UP IN.
A COMMUNITY THAT IS... THAT HAS A HERITAGE OF OPEN RANCH LANDS, QUIET RESIDENTIAL ATMOSPHERE, BEAUTIFUL NATURAL LANDSCAPES. THAT IS WHY WE CAME HERE.
AND I'M TELLING YOU, I CAME HERE TO FIGHT BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO SEE WHAT HAPPENED TO PLANO HAPPEN APPEAR.
AND I WILL DO ANYTHING INCLUDING PROVIDING YOU WITH SPECIFIC INFORMATION ON REGULATORY INFORMATION, AND ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION THAT WILL HELP YOU HELP US FIGHT THESE DATA CENTERS COMING IN. UNLIKE YOU AND ALL OF THESE PEOPLE HERE, WE HAVE MANY STATE LEADERS AND A GOVERNOR WHO WILL PUSH THIS SORT OF CONSTRUCTION ON US.
I KNOW THEM VERY WELL. I GROW UP WITH HIM.
RESPECT HIS JOB, BUT I KNOW HIM AND I KNOW HE IS ABOUT COMMERCE AND GROWTH. WE DON'T WANT THAT KIND OF COMMERCE AND GROWTH OUT HERE. JUST TO GIVE YOU SOME SPECIFIC THINGS BEFORE I LEAVE, IN REGARDS TO WATER.
A TYPICAL LARGE-SCALE DATA CENTER REQUIRES 300,000 TO 500,000 GALLONS OF WATER PER DAY.
THAT'S FOR COOLING. IN A RURAL ENVIRONMENT DEPENDENT ON WATER RESOURCES, IMAGINE THE IMPACT.
FURTHER, IN A DROUGHT RIDDEN PRONE AREAS AT HIGH RISK AND MANY DATA CENTERS USE A EVAPORATIVE COOLING WHICH EVAPORATES A TOWN'S WATER SUPPLY INTO THE ATMOSPHERE.
IN REGARDS TO ENERGY, A SINGLE LARGE DATA CENTER CAN CONSUME AS MUCH ELECTRICITY AS IT 80,000 HOMES.
A MASSIVE DRAW ON THE LOCAL G GRID.
AND I DO HAVE THE STATISTICS AS MENTIONED BEFORE ON MANY CITIES AND COMMUNITIES WHO WERE SO PROMISED TO YOU WILL NOT HAVE AN INCREASE IN YOUR BILL AND THEY DO AND WE HAVE THE PROOF FROM THESE COMMUNITIES SHOWING THAT. ACOUSTIC DISTURBANCE, WE TALKED ABOUT THAT. DATA CENTERS UTILIZE MASSIVE INDUSTRIAL CHILLERS AND BACKUP DIESEL GENERATORS THAT RUN 24/7.
THEY PRODUCE A CONSTANT LOW FREQUENCY NOISE, THE CONSTANT, OFTEN REACHING 65 TO 85 DECIBELS WHICH MAY SEE BENIGN BUT BECAUSE OF SLEEP DISRUPTION, HEARING FATIGUE, AND STRESS IN HUMANS AND LIVESTOCK AROUND THE DATA CENTERS.
I WILL CLOSE WITH THIS. AND I CAN PROVIDE THE STATISTICS TO YOU TOO. THEY TELL YOU THIS WILL BRING JOBS. IT GENERALLY WILL BRING 30 TO 150 SHORT-TERM. WE HAVE INDUSTRIES THAT WE COULD BRING OUT HERE, CLEAN INDUSTRIES INCLUDING MANUFACTURING THAT WILL PROVIDE 500 PLUS JOBS AND NOT DESTROY OUR ENVIRONMENT.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME. >> THANK YOU.
AND AGAIN, THIS RESOLUTION IS URGING THE STATE LEGISLATURES WHO SOMETIMES FORGET THAT LOCAL CONTROL IS WHAT MATTERS MOST NOT TO BE MICROMANAGED FROM AUSTIN AND WHAT WE ARE ASKING IS FOR A SPECIAL SESSION TO BE HELD AND INTERIM HEARINGS PRIOR TO THEM COMING INTO SESSION IN JANUARY. SO THOSE OF YOU THAT ARE HERE TO SPEAK, WHEN THE TIME COMES, HOPEFULLY THEY WILL HAVE HEARINGS IN AUSTIN AND I WOULD ASK THAT YOU JOIN US TO TESTIFY AT THESE HEARINGS AND EXPRESS YOUR CONCERNS.
AUSTIN, UNFORTUNATELY, IS TRYING TO REGULATE LOCAL CONTROL FROM AUSTIN AND THAT IS, A LOT OF TIMES, DICTATED BY THE LOBBYISTS AND THOSE THAT HAVE THE MOST MONEY GET WHAT THEY WANT.
THAT GOES AGAINST OUR CONSTITUTION OF OUR STATE, LOCAL CONTROL, LOCAL GOVERNMENT IS CLOSEST TO THE PEOPLE AND THAT IS WHERE WE SHOULD HAVE THE ABILITY TO REGULATE AND SAY WHAT COMES OR DOES NOT COME TO OUR AREA.
AND THAT IS WHAT THIS RESOLUTION IS ABOUT.
AGAIN, I ENCOURAGE YOU ALL TO GO TO THE WEBSITE, CLICK ON IT, READ THROUGH IT. AND ALSO, WHEN THE TIME COMES, ASSIST US IN FIGHTING TO GAIN SOME CONTROL TO BE ABLE TO STOP THIS. I DON'T THINK ANY OF US IN THIS ROOM WANT TO SEE A DATA CENTER OR A BATTERY STORAGE FACILITY COME TO OUR AREA. WE ARE ALREADY LOSING AGRICULTURAL LANDS TO DEVELOPMENTS.
IT JUST HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS. EVENTUALLY IF WE SELL OFF ALL THE LAND THAT WE GROW OUR CORN ON AND OUR WHEAT, WHERE ARE WE GOING TO GET OUR FOOD SUPPLY FROM AND OUR CORN TO FEED OUR
[00:35:05]
LIVESTOCK? KNOW THAT WE ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND WE APPRECIATE EVERYONE'S CONCERN AND QUESTIONS REGARDING THIS. OH.I DIDN'T REALIZE THOSE CAME. KRISTIN DAVIS.
>> I AM KRISTIN DAVIS. THIS IS RUTHIE EMERSON AND LEVI.
PHILIP IS NOT HERE. WE LIVE AT 128 CANNON ROAD AND BELL'S BEARD WE ARE LOCAL BUSINESS OWNERS AND MEMBERS OF THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND WE HAVE A WELDING BUSINESS AND WE GROW OUR BEEF ON A HOMESTEAD AND RANCH THAT OUR COWS GRAZE OFF OF THE WILD GRASSES OF THE PRAIRIE THAT ARE STILL THERE.
WE VERY MUCH VALUE OUR WAY OF LIFE AND OUR COMMUNITY.
WE WORKED WITH ART ARTHUR. I KNOW YOU GUYS CAN DO THINGS AND WE CAN MAKE THINGS HAPPEN. ART HELPED US WITH A CONCRETE PLAN THAT WAS COMING INTO OUR NEIGHBORHOOD RIGHT ACROSS THE STREET TO CREATE HORRIBLE POLLUTION.
THANK YOU AND THE REST OF YOU, I'M SURE WERE VERY EFFECTIVE IN HELPING US DEAL WITH THAT, SO THANK YOU.
I KNOW THAT THIS COURT CAN PRODUCE CHANGE.
I'M NOT SURE IF YOU ARE FAMILIAR WITH HOW VAN ZANDT COUNTY DID STOCK FEES. IT SOUNDS LIKE WE CAN BE PROACTIVE HERE IF THERE HAVE NOT BEEN APPLICATIONS PUT IN YET, WE HAVE A CHANCE TO BE PROACTIVE ABOUT IT AND STOP THESE BEFORE THEY COME. I WOULD BE WILLING TO PUT TOGETHER A PLAN OF EXACTLY WHAT THEY DID.
WHY REINVENT THE WHEEL IF WE DON'T NEED TO? AND THANK YOU FOR THIS. THIS LOOKS GREAT.
IF WE COULD ADD OF WHAT THEY DID, WHAT THEY APPLIED TO THEIR COUNTY, I THINK THAT COULD AFFECT A CHANGE GRID I WOULD BE WILLING TO PUT A TEAM TOGETHER TO PRESENT TO YOU WHAT THEY DID SO IT WOULD MAKE IT EASIER ON YOU TO KNOW WHAT HAS WORKED IN THE PAST. SO JUST LET ME KNOW.
I HAVEN'T HEARD MUCH ABOUT FIRE RISK MENTIONED IT SO I WANTED TO MENTION THAT, BUT ALONG WITH THE DATA CENTERS COME HUGE FIRE RISK. NOT ONLY DO WE NOT HAVE A PROPER FIRE DEPARTMENT, BUT WATER RESOURCES ARE VERY LOW.
THE FIRES THAT COME ALONG WITH THESE, I WILL SAY THAT THEY ARE BECOMING FREQUENT. I DON'T HAVE WONDERFUL STATISTICS LIKE THIS LADY DOES BEARD THANK YOU FOR THOSE.
THOSE ARE GREAT. BUT I DO KNOW THAT THE FIRES ARE FREQUENT AND ARE TOXIC AND THEY GO FOR MILES.
NOT ONLY IS THIS RIGHT BY THE SCHOOL, BUT IT'S RIGHT BY ALL OF OUR HOMES, OUR BUSINESSES, OUR COMMUNITIES, AND PEOPLE HAVE BEEN HERE FOR GENERATIONS. THAT'S ANOTHER HUGE RISK THAT I JUST WANTED TO STATE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
I JUST WANT TO SAY I'M A NATIVE. I WAS BORN AND RAISED HERE.
MY HUSBAND WAS TOO. WE'VE BEEN IN THE MILITARY FOR 20 YEARS. WE FOUGHT THESE KIND OF THINGS IN LAS VEGAS. WE FOUGHT THEM IN PHOENIX, ARIZONA. BUT THEY HAD A MASTER PLAN AND THEY HAD ZONING. SO YOU HAD TOOLS TO FIGHT WITH WHERE YOU COULD HOLD OFF CHEMICAL PLANTS AND THINGS THAT WOULD BE HARMFUL TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
AND I LOVE TEXAS AND I THINK THIS WILL DESTROY IT.
I REALLY DO BELIEVE IF THERE IS NOT SOMETHING DONE, THESE PEOPLE ARE FROM OVERSEAS, THEY ARE GOING TO COME IN YEAR, MAKE MONEY, BUILD PLANTS, AND 30 YEARS WHEN THAT PLANT ISN'T ANY GOOD ANYMORE, THEY WILL WALK OUT AND WE WILL BE STUCK WITH A M MESS. THE DATA CENTER IS JUST ANOTHER PORTION OF THE LITHIUM BATTERY PLANT.
SO NOW WE HAVE AN OPERATING LITHIUM BATTERY PLANT AND NO FIRE PROTECTION. YOU CAN'T PUT THAT FIRE OUT IF IT COMES. NOBODY HAS THE EQUIPMENT, THE PHONE, THE TRAINING, THE SPECIAL SUITS.
IT'S JUST GOING TO BURN. AND SOME PEOPLE SAY I LIVE IN SHERMAN. THAT'S NOT GOING TO AFFECT ME.
IF THE WIND IS BLOWING THE RIGHT WAY, IT'S GOING TO AFFECT YOU.
THEY SNUCK IT IN. THEY ACTUALLY SNUCK IT IN.
NOBODY KNEW IT WAS THERE. MOST PLACES, YOU ARE NOTIFIED IF THERE IS A PROJECT COMING IN THAT WILL AFFECT YOUR PROPERTY IF YOU HAVE A PROPER LINE JOINING.
WE DON'T HAVE THAT HERE. THAT'S HOW THEY SNUCK IT IN.
[00:40:01]
BUT WE HAVE 160 ACRES THAT IS OVER BY CARS AND CEMETERY THAT HIS FAMILY OWNED THAT WE WERE DIVIDING UP FOR OUR KIDS WHO ARE IN THE MILITARY COMING HOME TO BUILD HOMES HERE.AND NOW I TELL THEM YOU WILL HAVE TO WAIT AND SEE.
I DON'T KNOW IF YOU ARE GOING TO WANT TO BUILD HERE OR NOT.
I THINK YOU MIGHT JUST END UP HAVING TO SELL IT.
BECAUSE, I MEAN, THEY SPENT 20 YEARS IN THE MILITARY AND THEY ARE READY TO COME HOME AND LIVE THE RURAL LIFE AND HAVE ALL THE FUN AND THINGS THAT WE DID GROWING UP AND IT'S NOT GOING TO BE HERE UNLESS YOU GUYS CAN STOP IT.
VAN ZANDT COUNTY, THEY STOPPED SEVEN PROJECTS AND THEY DID IT THROUGH THE LAW AND THE SYSTEM. IT IS POSTED ON THE SAVOY BEST TO DEAL EXACTLY HOW THEY DID IT. THEY DID IT AT THE GROUND LEVEL.
YOU GUYS ARE SO IMPORTANT TO STOP THIS.
THEY WENT UP AND THEY FOUND REPRESENTATIVES THAT WOULD HELP THEM AND THEY HALTED IT. IF ALL OF THE COUNTIES WOULD JUST GET TOGETHER, LOOK AT WHAT THEY'VE DONE, AND WORK TOGETHER AS COUNTIES TO STOP THIS, YOU MAY BE ABLE TO AT LEAST PROTECT NORTHEAST TEXAS. YOU MAY NOT HAVE ANY INFLUENCE DOWN IN THE RIO GRANDE IN THOSE PLACES, BUT IF YOU WOULD ALL WORK TOGETHER, YOU COULD STOP THIS.
BUT IF YOU DO IT ALONE, THEY WILL SNEAK THEM IN.
NOBODY KNEW THE BEST PLANT WAS GOING IN AT SAVOY.
NO ONE HAD WARNING. EVERYONE THOUGHT THEY WERE WORKING ON POWER LINES. NOW I HAVE 116 ACRES AND TWO CHILDREN THAT ARE RETIRING IN TWO YEARS THAT DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY'RE GOING TO DO NOW. AND WE HAVE TO WAIT.
AND THAT DATA CENTER IS GOING TO USE POWER AND WATER THAT WE DON'T HAVE. PLUS WE HAVE A FLOOD CONTROL DAM ON OUR 116 ACRES. IF THAT LITHIUM BATTERY PLANT POLLUTES THAT AREA, IT IS COMING STRAIGHT TO OUR PROPERTY BECAUSE IT WILL COME DOWN THE STREETS AND PONDS AND END UP RIGHT ON OUR PROPERTY. SO NOW, DO WE DO WATER TESTS EVERY MONTH TO FIND OUT IF THERE IS A LEAK? BECAUSE IT WILL COME STRAIGHT TO US.
AND WE ARE DEEPLY CONCERNED BY THIS BECAUSE YOU ARE GOING TO LOSE EVERYTHING YOU HAVE. YOU ARE GOING TO LOSE YOUR RURAL LIFE, YOUR AGRICULTURE, YOUR LIVESTOCK.
AND THIS LAND CAN'T BE RECLAIMED IF IT'S POLLUTED.
SO WE ARE BEGGING, PLEASE, PLEASE, THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING YOU WILL DO AND I'M NOT OPPOSED TO DEVELOPMENT.
I'M FIXING TO LOSE 40 ACRES OFF OF HIGHWAY.
YOU ARE TAKING PART OF MY PROPERTY FOR THE NEW DALLAS TOLLWAY. I HAVE SPENT YEARS AND YEARS FIGHTING THE STUFF AND AFTER A WHILE, YOU JUST THROW UP YOUR HANDS AND SAY I'M MOVING. I'M LEAVING.
AND YOU ARE GOING TO END UP WITH A BUNCH OF PEOPLE HERE THAT YOU DON'T KNOW. THEY HAVE NO INTEREST IN TEXAS OTHER THAN COMING IN AND MAKING MONEY AND LEAVING.
>> THANK YOU MA'AM. I THINK ALL OF YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS. I THINK AS WE MOVE FORWARD, THE IDEAS OF NOT REINVENTING THE WHEEL ARE VERY IMPORTANT.
I'M A FIRM BELIEVER IN THAT, BUT ALSO I'M A FIRM BELIEVER IN ACTION. ALL OF US GOT INTO THIS FOR COMMUNITY SERVICE. YOU ARE WHO WE SERVE.
SO WE WILL DO EVERYTHING THAT WE CAN DO TO ENCOURAGE THE STATE TO ALLOW US THE ABILITY TO FIGHT THESE THINGS WHEN THEY COME UP.
AS SOMEONE POINTED OUT, COMMISSIONER ARTHUR WAS ESSENTIAL IN FIGHTING THE CEMENT CRUSHER.
WE ALL WORKED TIRELESSLY FOR YEARS TO PREVENT THE CEMENT KILLED. WE KNOW.
WE ARE AN ACTION GROUP. LIKE I SAID AT THE BEGINNING, NONE OF US WANT TO SEE ONE OF THESE COME TO OUR AREA.
BUT IF YOU HAVE HEARD THE GOVERNOR TALK, HE IS IN FAVOR OF THESE. SO REMEMBER THAT AT ELECTION TIME. BUT KNOW THAT IT WILL BE AN UPHILL FIGHT BUT WE ARE WILLING TO ACCEPT THE CHALLENGE AND THE FIRST STEP IN THAT IS THIS RESOLUTION.
WE AREN'T THE ONLY COUNTY THAT IS SUBMITTING THIS, SO IT WILL GAIN MOMENTUM. HOPEFULLY WE CAN GET OUR SENATORS AND OUR LEGISLATURES AND OUR REPRESENTATIVES TO GET
[00:45:03]
ON BOARD WITH THIS AND HELP FIGHT THIS.>> IN LOOKING AT ALL OF THIS, THE COMPANY IS LIKE THIS ARE A MOVING TARGET. WHAT THEY DEALT WITHIN VAN ZANDT CANTY, THEY BEAT THAT ON STATE LAW.
THAT WAS PREVENTING SOME FOREIGN-MADE COMPONENTS GOING INTO THOSE FACILITIES. AS FAR AS IT COMING AGAIN WITHOUT THE FOREIGN COMPONENT, THERE IS NO GUARANTEE IT WON'T HAPPEN. BUT THIS STATE, I GOT A HISTORY LESSON. I GUESS I SHOULD'VE KNOWN IT.
THIS STATE WAS FORMED WITH 254 COUNTIES.
THEY ARE ALL SUBDIVISIONS OF THE STATE OF TEXAS AND THEY WERE ALL DESIGNED TO REGULATE THE THINGS THAT TOOK PLACE IN EACH INDIVIDUAL 254 COUNTY GOERS. AND SLOWLY BUT SURELY WE HAVE ENDED UP TO HEAR THAT WE FIND OUT ABOUT SOMETHING LIKE THIS COMPANY COMING TO GRAYSON COUNTY.
I LEARNED ABOUT IT ON THE NEWS THAT IT'S ALREADY IN FANNIN COUNTY BECAUSE WE HAVE NOT GOT ANY COMMUNICATION OR OVERSIGHT. WE HAVE NO ZONING ABILITY.
WE ARE FIGHTING RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT.
NOT FIGHTING, WE ARE TRYING TO CONTROL THE FASHION THEN IT MOVES INTO GRAYSON COUNTY AND WE CAN ALL SURVIVE THIS.
I WANT TO MAKE THAT CLEAR. WE ARE ASKING TO CHANGE TEXAS LAW AND GIVE US BACK OUR ZONING AUTHORITY.
TO GIVE US THE ABILITY TO DEAL WITH WHAT IS COMING TO OUR COUNTY. THAT WOULDN'T AFFECT FANNIN COUNTY, BUT IT COULD AFFECT GRAYSON COUNTY.
AND THAT WOULD BRING TOGETHER COUNTIES THAT ALL CHOSE TO ADOPT THE SAME REGULATION. IT'S ALL TOTALLY DIFFERENT RIGHT NOW. ANYWAY.
I WANTED TO ADD THAT. THAT'S WHY IT WAS ORIGINALLY 254 COUNTIES. I DIDN'T KNOW THAT.
>> THE STATE HAS SLOWLY STRIPPED AWAY THE RIGHTS OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT TO REGULATE AND CONTROL WHAT WE KNOW FOR OUR COMMUNITIES IS BEST. AND THAT IS WHAT WE ARE FIGHTING. EVERY TWO YEARS, WHEN THEY MEET IN AUSTIN, WE ALL TAKE A DEEP BREATH AND WAIT TO SEE WHAT WILL COME OUT OF THAT. AND THEN MAKE IT CONTINUOUS TRIPS. I KNOW COMMISSIONER MARR AND I SPENT THE LAST SESSION AND I FELT LIKE I NEEDED AN APARTMENT IN AUSTIN I WAS UP THERE SO MUCH.
BUT WHO WANTS TO LIVE THERE? COMMISSIONER WRIGHT IS ON THE COMMITTEE FOR URBAN COUNTIES. WHICH HELPS FIGHT THESE THINGS AND WE CAN GET TOGETHER. IT'S A BIPARTISAN GROUP THAT WE CAN PERSUADE AND LOBBY AS BEST WE CAN.
TRYING TO FIGHT THESE THINGS. YES, MA'AM.
WITH THIS RESOLUTION, WE HAVEN'T SPOKEN WITH HER DIRECTLY, BUT SHE HAS LIKE-MINDED WHEN IT COMES TO NOT WANTING THIS STUFF COMING TO OUR COUNTY. TO OUR AREA WITHOUT OVERSIGHT.
[LAUGHTER] WE ACTUALLY HAVE A MEETING COMING UP WITH HER AND THIS WILL ALL BE DISCUSSED.
I'M SURE SHE IS WATCHING RIGHT NOW.
ABSOLUTELY. I KNOW YOU WERE ITCHING TO SAY
SOMETHING ELSE. >> I DON'T HAVE MUCH TO TALK
3 MINUTES. >> WE WILL GO OVER 3 MINUTES.
>> BEATING A DEAD HORSE? >> SOMEWHAT OF A DEAD HORSE, YES. THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR COMING OUT AND EXPRESSING YOUR THOUGHTS.
LIKE WAS SPOKEN BEFORE, WE ARE ALL IN THE SAME BOAT THAT YOU ARE. WE ARE TRYING TO GET AHEAD OF THIS. I WANT TO POINT OUT A COUPLE OF DEALS AND GIVE YOU ALL -- THERE'S BEEN TALKS OF OTHER COUNTIES AND WHAT THEY HAVE DONE AND KIND OF WHERE WE ARE AT.
AS THE JUDGE WAS SPEAKING TO OUR INABILITIES TO DO MUCH AT THE LOCAL LEVEL FROM THE STATE GOVERNMENT, AND OUR RESOLUTION, I FOUND IT ENCOURAGING THAT THE STATE REPUBLICAN EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE WHICH, I KNOW THIS IS NOT PARTISAN IN HERE, BUT THEY ARE ONE OF THE HIGHER REPRESENTATION OF THE G.O.P.
PARTY, BUT THEY SEE THIS AS BEING AN ISSUE BECAUSE THEY HAVE DONE A RESOLUTION TRYING TO ESTABLISH ADDITIONAL DATA CENTERS IN THE STATE OF TEXAS AS WELL.
SO THEY HAVE REAL CLOSE TALKS WITH THE STATE LEGISLATURE.
A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO, I WAS REALLY ENCOURAGED LISTENING TO THE STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS BY PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP WHERE
[00:50:04]
HE TALKED ABOUT WANTING THESE MAJOR TECHNOLOGY COMPANIES THAT ARE DEVELOPING A LARGE-SCALE DATA CENTERS TO ASSUME THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR SUPPLYING THEIR OWN POWER NEEDS, INCLUDING BY CONSTRUCTING THE DEDICATED GENERATION FACILITIES IN ORDER TO PROTECT RESIDENTIAL SMALL BUSINESSES AND GREAT PAYERS FROM INCREASING ELECTRICITY CROSS AND PRESERVING THE ELECTRIC GRID LIABILITY. COMING FROM THE PRESIDENT, KNOWING THIS IS AN ISSUE AND IT WILL HAVE LOCAL IMPACT, I THINK THAT IS VERY ENCOURAGING IN OUR CAUSE AS WELL.THERE WAS MENTION ABOUT VAN ZANDT COUNTY IN THE MORATORIUM THEY HAVE PUT IN PLACE.
THERE MORATORIUM, AS COMMISSIONER ARTHUR WAS SPEAKING TO, IS VERY UNIQUE. THE POST I PUT OUT THERE, WE REALLY CAN'T DO MUCH UNLESS WE HAVE ASSISTANCE FROM THE STATE AT FEDERAL LEVEL. ATTORNEY KEN PAXTON DID PUT OUT AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE CHINESE COMMUNIST PARTY OF PRODUCTS FROM CONTEMPORARY APP REX TECHNOLOGY.
BASICALLY, WHAT THEY ARE TRYING TO FIND IN THE DEVELOPMENT INTO THE GREEN ENERGY DEVELOPMENT IN VAN ZANDT COUNTY IS TO ENSURE THAT THERE ARE NO CHINESE MADE PRODUCTS AND SYSTEMS THAT WILL COMPROMISE INTELLIGENCE HERE IN THE UNITED STATES.
SO THAT WAS FROM ATTORNEY GENERAL KEN PAXTON.
THAT IS AN EXECUTIVE ISSUE AND THAT IS HELP FROM THE STATE LEVEL IN ORDER TO HAVE THIS MORATORIUM.
LIKEWISE, YOU GO OVER TO HOOD COUNTY AND THEY WERE DEBATING ABOUT PUTTING IN A MORATORIUM FOR THESE DATA CENTERS IN HOOD COUNTY AND THE MORATORIUM THEY HAD THEIR FELL THROUGH 3-2, BUT THEY HAD A NICELY WRITTEN LETTER THAT WAS SUPPORTED BY JERRY PATTERSON BASICALLY TELLING THEM AND SAYING THAT HOOD COUNTY WAS CONSIDERING POSTING A MORATORIUM AND THE CONSTITUTION LIMITS THE POWER OF THE COUNTIES IN THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT CANNOT CLAIM ANY POWER UNLESS IT IS EXPRESSLY CONVERTED BY THE CONSTITUTION.
BASICALLY SAYING THAT THE LAW IS CLEAR AND THE COUNTY DOES NOT HAVE ANY ABILITY TO PUT A MORATORIUM ON ITS OWN.
SO THAT IS A STATE REPRESENTATIVE FIGHTING AGAINST THAT. AGAINST A COUNTY TRYING TO DO
WHAT YOU ALL ARE REQUESTING. >> AND THAT'S OUT OF HARRIS COUNTY WHICH, AS HARRIS COUNTY GOES, SO DOES THE STATE. SO HE IS A CHALLENGE.
>> THAT'S A GOOD WAY TO PUT T THAT.
>> RECENTLY, YESTERDAY AS A MATTER FACT, ELLEN KERWIN DID PUT OUT A LETTER, PART OF HER REPRESENTATION IS IN HOOD COUNTY ALONG WITH REPRESENTATIVE SHELBY SLAWSON.
SHE DID PUT OUT A LETTER REQUESTING THAT ON THE RAPID GROWTH, SHE WANTS TO RESPECTFULLY URGE CONSIDERATION OF AN IMMEDIATE PAUSE ON THE ADVANCEMENT OF NEW LARGE-SCALE DATA CENTER DEVELOPMENTS UNTIL THE RURAL COMMUNITIES HAVE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO FULLY EVALUATE THE LONG-TERM IMPACTS ON THEIR CRITICAL RESOURCES AND INFRASTRUCTURE.
AND I HAVE COPIES OF THESE IF YOU ALL WOULD LIKE TO SEE THEM AFTERWARDS. SO WE DO HAVE STATE REPRESENTATIVES WITH TWO VERY DIFFERENT OPINIONS COMING PEERED SO OBVIOUSLY IT WILL BE A PUSH FROM THE PUBLIC.
I FIND IT INTERESTING THAT REPRESENTATIVE KERWIN, HER DAUGHTER IF YOU DON'T KNOW IS THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE FOR THE UNITED STATES. IT IS NOT A COINCIDENCE THAT THEY MAY BE GETTING WORD FROM THE FEDERAL LEVEL ABOUT STUFF? I DON'T KNOW, BUT I DID FIND THAT INTERESTING.
OVER AND DELTA COUNTY, THERE IS BEEN CONCERNED ABOUT DATA CENTERS. I KNOW THEY HAD A TOWN HALL OVER THERE WITH THE ACTUAL PEOPLE THAT OWN THAT AND THEY WERE ABLE TO SPEAK AND ANSWER SOME QUESTIONS.
THEY PUT IN A REQUEST TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL.
WITH ALL THE CONFUSION GOING ON, WE HAVE A MORATORIUM IN VAN ZANDT COUNTY, WE HAVE A REPRESENTATIVE SAYING YOU CAN DO MORATORIUMS, WEAVE A STATE REP URGING FOR A PAUSE.
THEY BASICALLY SENT AN OPINION TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE SAYING WHAT NEEDS TO GO ON HERE? DELTA COUNTY IS A SMALL LITTLE COUNTY. THEY HAVE SOME POTENTIALS OF DEVELOPMENT THERE. THERE'S ALSO ATTORNEY GENERAL OPINION THAT CAME OUT AND SPECIFIED THE COUNTY'S ABILITIES
[00:55:04]
TO NOT REALLY BE ABLE TO PUT ANY OF THESE MORATORIUMS ON THEIR OWN WITHOUT HAVING ANY ADDITIONAL.THERE'S A POST THAT CAME OUT LAST NIGHT FROM OUR COUNTY JUDGES AND COMMISSIONERS ASSOCIATION OF TEXAS WHICH ALL THE COUNTIES AND THE JUDGES WERE A PART OF.
THEY SAID WHY CAN'T A COUNTY SIMPLY STOP OR REGULATE THESE PROJECTS? THE ANSWER LIES IN THE SPECIFIC WAY TEXAS COUNTIES ARE STRUCTURED UNDER TEXAS CONSTITUTION ARTICLE FIVE SUBSECTION B.
THE COMMISSIONERS COURT SHALL EXERCISE SUCH POWERS AND JURISDICTION AND COUNTY BUSINESS AS IS CONFERRED BY THIS CONSTITUTION AND LAWS OF THE STATE OR AS PRESCRIBED OR AS MAY BE PRESCRIBED. SO UNDERNEATH THE CURRENT STATE LAW, THE COUNTY CANNOT LEGALLY FORCE THEM TO PROTECT RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOODS, MANDATE COMPREHENSIVE WATER IMPACT STUDIES TO PROTECT OUR LOCAL AQUIFERS AND UTILITY RESOURCES EXCEPT IN SUBDIVISIONS AND WE CANNOT DENY A PROJECT SIMPLY BECAUSE IT IS A DATA CENTER.
WE HAVE VERY, VERY LIMITED REGULATORY AUTHORITY.
IN FACT, COME TO ZONING, AS WE ARE SPEAKING TO THAT.
THE ONLY ZONING POWER THAT WE HAVE HERE IN GRAYSON COUNTY LIES OVER AROUND LAKE ROBERTS. I HAVE A MAP TO SEE.
BASICALLY, IN THE GREEN AREA IS THE ONLY AREA OF GRAYSON COUNTY WE CAN HAVE ANY ZONING AUTHORITY AND THAT WAS CREATED BY STATE LEGISLATURE BACK IN 1987. OUTSIDE OF THAT, WE ARE BEHOLDEN TO WITH THE STATE LEGISLATURE SAYS A COUNTY CAN DO.
THIS ISN'T ONLY IN TEXAS. THIS IS AROUND THE WHOLE COU COUNTRY. WE WERE UP IN D.C. A COUPLE WEEKS AGO FOR THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES.
DATA CENTERS WERE A HOT TOPIC. THERE'S A LOT OF DATA CENTERS IN VIRGINIA. THEY'VE BEEN TRYING TO PUT A BUNCH OF DATA TOGETHER AND THIS IS A LITTLE SHEET THEY GAVE.
THIS MAP. IT'S HARD FOR EVERYBODY TO SEE.
YOU CAN COME LOOK AT IT LATER. TEXAS IS IN THIS TEAL COLOR.
IF YOU LOOK OVER HERE AT THE TOP, TEAL IS AT THE VERY TOP AND IT SAYS IT IS THE MOST RESTRICTED.
WHAT THAT MEANS IS TEXAS IS ONE OF THE MOST RESTRICTED STATES ON HAVING A GOVERNMENT BEING ABLE TO REGULATE WHAT COMES IN AND PRIVATE PROPERTY RIGHTS. SO WE ARE NOT ABLE TO HAVE THAT.
THAT'S JUST KIND OF A GUIDE. I JUST WANTED TO POINT OUT SOME INFORMATION. MOST RESTRICTED.
THAT IS KIND OF MISLEADING. IT'S NOT MOST RESTRICTED.
WE CAN DO RESTRICTIONS. IT'S MOST RESTRICTED IN THAT THE GOVERNMENT CAN'T DO ANY RESTRICTIONS ON THAT STUFF.
I JUST WANTED TO LAY SOME THINGS OUT THERE THAT WE UNDERSTAND.
WE ARE ALL IN CONCURRENCE WITH YOU ALL.
WE ARE REQUESTING THAT THE STATE HELPS US OUT AND THAT'S ABOUT IT. I THINK IT'S A GREAT RESOLUTION.
IT'S PICKING UP STEAM PIER THERE'S A LOT OF COUNTIES ON BOARD AND WE DID A LOT OF PEOPLE'S HELP WHEN IT COMES TIME TO GO TO AUSTIN. YOU NEED TO CALL YOUR REPRESENTATIVE, YOUR SENATOR, BUT REACH OUT TO OTHERS.
THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE, LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR'S OFFICE.
GET SOME LOCAL CONTROL BACK HERE TO THE COUNTIES.
>> MARSHALL, REAL QUICK. [INAUDIBLE]
>> ABSOLUTELY. YOU ARE NOT WRONG.
ABSOLUTELY. LAST QUESTION AND THEN WE HAVE OTHER STUFF. IF YOU WOULD, COME UP BECAUSE THE MICROPHONE. WE ARE LIVE RECORDING AND NOBODY CAN HEAR YOU OUTSIDE OF THIS ROOM.
>> ASKED FOR A LETTER OF SUPPORT FROM THE SENATOR AND
REPRESENTATIVE. >> I JUST WANT TO KNOW, FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU FOR ALL OF THE RESEARCH AND THE TIME YOU HAVE SPENT ON THIS ISSUE. I JUST WANT TO KNOW IS THERE ANY WAY THAT -- IS THERE ANYTHING THAT HAS TO BE DONE LEGALLY BEFORE A FACILITY CAN BE PUT IN PLACE LIKE THIS? DO THEY HAVE TO DO A TRAFFIC IMPACT STUDY? IS THAT LEGALLY BINDING OR IS IT SOMETHING THAT PEOPLE DO
[01:00:04]
SOMETIMES? DOES THE WATER AND SEWER CAPACITY, DOES THAT COME INTO CONSIDERATION WITH FACILITIESLIKE THIS? >> AND OUR RESOLUTION, THAT'S
WHAT WE ARE ASKING FOR. >> THAT'S ALL HE REALLY WANTED TO BRING UP. JUST WHAT CAN WE DO AND IS THERE ANYTHING THAT THEY HAVE TO DO PRIOR TO A FACILITY LIKE THAT BEING BUILT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
>> CURRENTLY A COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT, ANOTHER THING THAT WE GET TO DO IS IF THEY MEET FIRE CODE AND IF THEY ARE ON A SUBJECT, WE HAVE A LITTLE BIT MORE OUTSIDE.
OUTSIDE OF THE MEETING FIRED CODE.
>> AND COUNTY ROAD. >> AND THAT'S TRAFFIC IMPACT ANALYSIS. BUT ALL OF YOU THAT ARE HERE, CALL YOUR SENATORS, YOUR REPRESENTATIVES.
LET THEM KNOW THAT YOU ARE OPPOSED.
NOT JUST YOU, BUT GET YOUR NEIGHBORS.
THE SQUEAKY WHEEL GETS THE GREASE.
>> THANK YOU FOR THAT. ORIGINALLY IT WAS 9.1 DISCUSSING TAKE ACTION TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION REGARDING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF ADDITIONAL DATA CENTERS IN TEXAS.
>> I WOULD MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION AS IS.
>> SECOND. >> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER MARR AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ARTHUR.
>> ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION CARRIES.
WE WILL SIGN IT. YOU ARE WELCOME TO STAY THROUGH THE WHOLE THING. WE DON'T HAVE A WHOLE LOT LEFT, BUT IF YOU WANT TO LEAVE, WE CAN PAUSE FOR A FEW MINUTES AND LET EVERYBODY GO. THINK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
THANK YOU WELL. >> THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH FOR
COMING OUT. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH.
AND PLEASE REMEMBER THAT IT ECHOES OUT THERE SO IF YOU STAND AND TALK IN THE HALLWAY, WE WILL HEAR EVERYTHING YOU SAY AND H
[9.2 Discuss and take action to approve a resolution supporting an application for the Sheriff Immigration Law Enforcement Grant.]
OKAY. 9.2 PEER DISCUSSING TAKE ACTION TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION SUPPORTING AN APPLICATION FOR THE SHERIFF'S IMMIGRATION LAW ENFORCEMENT GRANT.>> JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS, THANK YOU FOR LETTING US COME AND SPEAK TODAY ON THE IMMIGRATION GRANT PROGRAM CREATED BY SENATE BILL 8 AND ADMINISTRATED BY THE COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE. THE GOAL OF THE PROGRAM IS TO HELP OFFSET COSTS INCURRED BY COUNTIES THAT ENTER INTO AGREEMENTS LIKE THESE WHICH IS, OF COURSE, MANDATED TO REMOVE OR HELP ALLEVIATE THE COST FOR JAIL OPERATIONS, STAFFING, REPORTING REQUIREMENTS, AND TRAINING AND EQUIPMENT.
WE ARE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY BECAUSE WE HAVE ENTERED INTO A LAW ENFORCEMENT AGREEMENT WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT UNDER THE 287G WARRANT SERVICE OFFICER PROGRAM WHICH WAS ADOPTED IN NOVEMBER 4TH AND BECAUSE OF OUR COUNTY'S SIZE WHICH IS HOW THIS IS ADMINISTERED, WE ARE ELIGIBLE FOR UP TO $100,000 WHICH IS
[01:05:01]
THROUGH THE TWO-YEAR FISCAL PERIOD AND WITH THAT, WE ARE ASKING FOR THE RESOLUTION OF THE COURT WHICH WILL CONFIRM THAT THE GRANT FUNDING WILL NOT REDUCE THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE BUDGET WHICH IS REQUIRED BY THE CONTROLLER'S PROGRAM.I APPRECIATE THE CONSIDERATION FOR THE SUPPORT OF THE RESOLUTION SO THAT THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE CAN SUBMIT THE APPLICATION FOR THE GRANT FUNDING.
>> THANK YOU. >> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER WRIGHT
[9.3 Discuss and take action to approve FY26 - 2nd Quarter Compensatory Time Pay Out.]
AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER HARDENBURG.ANY OPPOSED? CARRIES PURE DISCUSSING TAKE ACTION TO APPROVE FY26 SECOND QUARTER COMP TIME PAYOUT.
>> HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY. IT'S THAT TIME AGAIN TO DO THE COMP OUT FOR THE 24-HOUR FACILITIES.
THE PAYOUT FOR THE SECOND QUARTER FY26 TOTAL HOURS IS 5308.7900 AND THE TOTAL ABILITY AMOUNT IS 15,414,519.
THIS REPRESENTS A 7% DECREASE IN THE TOTAL HOURS FROM THIS TIME LAST YEAR AND A 7% INCREASE IN THE TOTAL DOLLARS THAT ARE BEING PAID OUT. AND SUZETTE HAS NOT SAID WE DON'T HAVE THE MONEY SO I ASSUME WE ARE OKAY.
>> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER WRIGHT, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER
[9.4 Discuss and take action on the Short Plat Rushing Addition in Precinct 1.]
HARDENBURG. ALL IN FAVOR?>> AYE. >> ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION CARRIES. 9.4.
DISCUSSING TAKE ACTION ON SHORT PLAT PRODUCTION IN PRECINCT ONE.
>> THE SHORT PLAT HAS A LITTLE OVER 2 ACRES ON THE WEST SIDE OF SNAPE ROAD AND THEY ARE WISHING TO SUBDIVIDE ONE LOT.
>> THEY MEET ALL THE REGULATIONS AND EVERYTHING?
>> ALL THE REGULATIONS. >> AWESOME.
>> SECOND. >> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER MARR AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ARTHUR.
[9.5 Discuss and take action on the Short Plat Plunkett Cedar Road Addition Phase 5 in Precinct 1.]
>> ANY OPPOSED QUESTION WHAT THE MOTION CARRIES.
SHORT PLAT PLUNKETT CEDAR ROAD ADDITION PHASE FIED AND PRECINCT
THIS SHORT PLAT HAS A LITTLE OVER AN ACRE.
IT'S ON THE WEST SIDE OF CEDAR ROAD AND IT WISHES TO SUBDIVIDE
ONE LOT. >> THIS ONE IS PHASE FIVE.
AT THIS GENTLEMAN IS DOING EACH ONE AND A FACE BUT I THINK HE HAS TWO MORE LEFT. BUT THEY ARE ALL COMPLIANT.
A MOTION TO APPROVE. >> MOTION BY COMMISSIONERS TO BE 24 AND SECOND BY COMMISSIONER ARTHUR.
[9.6 Discuss and take action on the Replat Thayer Acres, Lot 1R & 2R in Precinct 2.]
>> ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION CARRIED.
9.6 DISCUSSING TAKE ACTION ON REPLANT THEY ARE ACRES.
LOT ONE ARE TRAN AND 2 ARE TRAN IN PRECINCT TWO.
SPEAK OUT AT AS A LITTLE OVER 2 ACRES.
THEY WISH TO REPLANT THE TWO LOTS WHICH WILL NOW BE KNOWN AS
LOT 1R AND 2R. >> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ARTHUR AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER WRIGHT.
[9.7 Discuss and take action on the Scott Lind and Reed Addition in Precinct 3.]
>> ANY OPPOSED QUESTION WORK MOTION CARRIES.
DISCUSSING ON SCOTT LIND AND REED ADDITION IN PRECINCT THREE.
>> THE PROPERTY OWNER HAS 15.89O SUBDIVIDE INTO TWO LOTS FOR
>> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER WRIGHT AND SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MARR.
>> ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION CARRIES.
DO WE NEED EXECUTIVE SESSION TODAY? NO? OKAY.
SO WE ARE GOING TO SKIP 9.8. AND 9.9.
[10. Commissioners Court Comments]
THAT BRINGS US TO COMMISSIONER COURT COMMENTS.WE WILL START WITH COMMISSIONER MARR.
>> ME AGAIN? AGAIN, I WANT TO THANK EVERYBODY THAT CAME OUT IN SUPPORT OF THE RESOLUTION AND SHOWING THEIR THOUGHTS AND OPINIONS ON THE ISSUES AT HAND THAT ARE COMING FAST TO TEXAS. THIS IS NOT GOING TO BE A SHORT BATTLE, IT'S GOING TO BE A LONG BATTLE.
WE NEED EVERYBODY'S SUPPORT GOING TO AUSTIN THAT WE CAN.
WE DO UNDERSTAND THAT SOME OF THIS DEVELOPMENT WILL HAPPEN.
WE AREN'T SAYING WE ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO KEEP EVERYTHING OUT OF GRAYSON COUNTY. IN A POST I MADE, THERE IS A MULTITUDE OF THINGS AHEAD. THERE IS DATA CENTERS, THERE'S BITCOIN MINING AND ALL OF THIS, BUT THERE IS A NATIONAL SECURITY THREAT. THE FIRST COUNTRY TO GET TO QUANTUM COMPUTING AND TO ARTIFICIAL GENERAL INTELLIGENCE KIND OF RULES THE WORLD. I KNOW AMERICA IS TRYING TO GET THERE WHICH INVOLVES MORE DATA CENTERS, UNFORTUNATELY.
IT'S VERY FLUID MOVING SITUATION AS ITERATED BEFORE.
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WE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE LOCAL CONTROL.WE KNOW WHAT OUR PEOPLE WANT TO KNOW.
WE DON'T NEED SOMEBODY OUT AND HOUSTON OR EL PASO OR DOWN IN THE RIO GRANDE VALLEY TELLING US WHAT TO DO IN GRAYSON COUNTY.
GRAYSON COUNTY FOLKS KNOW WHAT WE NEED HERE.
IT'S VERY IMPORTANT FOR US TO KEEP SUPPORTING THIS.
NEXT SATURDAY MARCH 28TH, PRECINCT ONE, WE ARE HAVING OUR SPRING CLEANUP. IF YOU ARE A RESIDENT OF PRECINCT ONE, IT IS FROM 7:30 A.M. TO 2:00 P.M.
I HAVE A COUPLE OF FLYERS IF YOU ARE FROM PRECINCT ONE BUT PLEASE COME OUT AND KEEP OUR ROADS AND EVERYTHING CLEAN.
THANK YOU. >> COMMISSIONER WRIGHT.
>> YES. YOU MAY HAVE HEARD BY NOW, BUT LAST WEEK, WE LOST ONE OF OUR OWN.
WE LOST JOHN TREVINO OUT OF MY BARN.
HE'S BEEN WITH US FOR 17 YEARS. THAT WAS A HARD ONE FOR US.
SO PLEASE KEEP HIS FAMILY AND COWORKERS AND ALL OF US IN YOUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS. LAST TUESDAY, TUESDAY WAS THE DAY I GUESS, WAS MY TAXES SUMMIT, IF YOU WOULD, FABULOUS ATTENDANCE, DR. BLAKE BENNETT FOR TEXAS A&M WAS FACILITATOR.
I WOULD LOVE NOTHING MORE THAN FOR THAT TO BE STANDING ROOM ONLY WITH GRAYSON COUNTY RESIDENCE FOR EDUCATION.
THIS IS JUST ABOUT THE PROCESS. THIS ISN'T ABOUT THE NUMBERS OR ANY OF THAT. THIS WAS ON PROCESS OF HOW SALES TAX AND PROPERTY TAX WORK ALL ACROSS THE STATE.
CONVERSATIONS HAVE RAGE FROM THAT ON WHAT WE CAN DO NEXT AND WHAT CAN THE NEXT PANEL B. ENCOURAGED TO DO SO AND THANKS AGAIN FOR EVERYBODY THAT CAME OUT.
IT IS ENCOURAGING TO SEE THE PARTICIPATION.
I WISH IT WAS MORE AND ALL OF THE THINGS THAT WE DO.
>> COMMISSIONER ARTHUR. >> THAT WAS AN OUTSTANDING PRESENTATION BECAUSE I'VE PAID A LOT OF ATTENTION TO IT AS WE WORK THROUGH OUR SALES PROPOSAL AND IT WAS VERY ENLIGHTENING.
SALES TAX TO ALL OF THE MEANEST BULL GOVERNMENTS IN GRAYSON COUNTY. THEY ARE ALL STRUGGLING.
THEY ARE DOING EVERYTHING THAT THEY CAN, BUT MOST OF THEM, 50% OF THE TAX PAY REVENUES COME FROM SALES TAX AND THAT MAKES IT EXTREMELY DIFFICULT THAT WE HAVE NONE.
WE HAVE NO SALES TAX. AND STILL THE 28TH LOWEST RATE IN THE STATE OF TEXAS. ANYWAY.
EVERYBODY, ENJOY THIS WEEK THAT WE ARE HAVING.
WE CAN GO FROM BELOW FREEZING TO ABOVE 90.
I THINK THEY ARE SAYING NOW 93 FOR SATURDAY.
THAT SOUNDS RIDICULOUS BUT MY LOAN MY TRUCK YESTERDAY MORNING WAS 30 DEGREES. EVERYONE GET OUT AND ENJOY IT.
I GUESS SPRING HAS HIT OFFICIALLY.
HERE WE GO. I APPRECIATE EVERYONE THAT CAME TODAY CONCERNING THE DATA CENTER.
IT'S GOING TO BE A LONG BATTLE IF WE CAN GET THESE THINGS CHANGED. THANK YOU ALL.
>> COMMISSIONER HARDENBURG PEERED.
>> I WANT TO THANK EVERYBODY IS WELL FOR COMING OUT AND VOICING THEIR CONCERNS. WE GOT MONEY CONCERNS AS WELL SO I DO APPRECIATE THAT. WANT TO MAKE A COUPLE OF ANNOUNCEMENTS ALSO. THE LIBRARY IS HAVING A JUNIOR MASTER GARDENERS SPRING BREAK CAMP THIS WEEK.
SO IF YOU HAVE SOME YOUNGSTERS, TAKE THEM TO THE LIBRARY.
THEY HAVE SOME GOOD PROGRAMS GOING AND NEXT THURSDAY, THEY WILL HAVE A TED TALK INTRODUCTION TO YOUTUBE.
ALL THE PEOPLE THAT NEED HELP WITH THAT, THAT IS OUT THERE AS WELL. AND I WANT TO THANK JOHN IS WELL FOR KEEPING UP WITH ALL OF THE BURN DAYS.
OR THE NO BURN DAYS AND A DISPATCH ALSO.
THAT IS A DAUNTING TASK WITH ALL OF THE HIGH WINDS, BUT TALK WITH HIM A FEW DAYS AGO AND IT SEEMS LIKE IT HAS BEEN A HELPING KEEP GRASS FIRES DOWN. WE APPRECIATE ALL THE WORK THAT THEY HAVE PUT IN. AND ALSO HE SENT AN EMAIL TO US EARLIER THAT THE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE WILL BE DOING A PRESCRIBED BURN TODAY AND POSSIBLY TOMORROW AND THEY ARE EXEMPT FROM THE NO BURN DAYS BECAUSE THEY ARE ON FEDERAL GROUNDS AND THEY ALSO HAVE PRESCRIBED BURN MANAGERS.
IF YOU SEE SOME SMOKE FROM THAT AREA, THAT IS WHAT THAT'S FROM.
I GUESS THAT'S ALL I GOT. >> YOU'VE BEEN GIVEN EQUAL TIME.
MR. MARR TOOK 30 MINUTES. >> YOU KNOW ME, I LIKE TO KEEP
IT SHORT AND SWEET. >> THANK YOU TO EVERYONE THAT CAME OUT. IT'S AN IMPORTANT ISSUE.
WE HAVE TO WORK TOGETHER TO MAKE ANYTHING ACHIEVABLE.
BUT WE HAVE TO HAVE MORE THAN AN ARGUMENT THEN JUST NOT IN MY BACKYARD. IT HAS TO BE LOGICAL AND IT HAS TO HAVE SOME TEETH TO IT OTHERWISE IT IS JUST YOU JUST DON'T WANT IT HERE BECAUSE YOU DON'T WANT TO HEAR AND THEY
[01:15:04]
DON'T RESPOND TO THAT WELL. WITH THAT, THANKS TO OUR FIRE MARSHAL FOR GETTING US THROUGH A SEASON OF NOT HAVING TO HAVE A BURN BAN. HIS MANAGEMENT OF THAT HAS BEEN REALLY GREAT. IT IS COMMENDABLE, THE EFFORTS YOU HAVE MADE. WE MIGHT GET THROUGH THE SEASONWITHOUT A BURN BAN. >> WE MADE IT A YEAR WITHOUT
ONE. >> I HAVEN'T HAD ONE YET.
>> I WANT TO CLARIFY THAT JOHN IS NOT MAKING THAT.
HE'S NOT REALLY MAKING THAT CALL.
HE IS MAKING AN ANNOUNCEMENT THAT THE STATE SAYS WITH THESE WIND SPEEDS, IT'S AN NOT BURN DAY.
IT'S NOT A COUNTY REGULATION, IT'S A STATE LAW.
>> WITH THAT, ENJOY THE WEEK. BECAUSE WHO KNOWS WHAT NEXT WEEK WILL BE. BIPOLAR TEXAS WEATHER.
WE
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.