The Leon County Commission dealt with two tech topics Tuesday that have sparked loud public conversations across the country: large-scale data centers and Flock cameras.
The commission unanimously voted to begin the process to enact an 18-month moratorium on allowing any large-scale data centers in Leon County. The decision comes after other counties in North Florida passed similar restrictions as local governments weigh the potential impacts of the growing technology industry.
Commissioners raised concerns about the possible environmental effects of data centers, including their water usage, while saying more research and specific local regulations are needed before considering future projects.
Commissioner Nick Maddox said he is not completely opposed to bringing data centers to the county, but he wants a better understanding of how they would be used and regulated.
“I don't know enough yet to say that I totally do not want them here at all. I know that I am not in a place where I'd be willing to approve one coming to Leon County right now without more research and us having a better plan about how we use them, where they go," he said.
The moratorium also tasks county staff with spending the next 12 months developing potential regulations for future data center projects. Those recommendations would come back to commissioners before the moratorium expires.
Commissioner Brian Welch supported the moratorium but said he wants staff to further analyze the potential impacts and benefits of data centers before the county makes long-term decisions.
Welch said he does not want the county to dismiss the technology without considering possible economic opportunities.
“This is the topic du jour of the political class right now in terms of, you know, creating a boogeyman out of an idea," he said. "I just want us to be careful about how we approach that. So, I'll support the moratorium, but I just want to say again that I'd be willing to revisit that if a proposal came forward that actually benefited our community in a tangible way that we could verify and regulate.”
Two public hearings are needed next before the moratorium is finalized.
The commission also considered another controversial technology issue: funding for Flock cameras.
Commissioners voted not to move forward with approving grant funding that would have helped place Flock cameras in several surrounding counties. The federal grant money would have gone through the Leon County Sheriff’s Office to Wakulla, Jefferson, Liberty and Taylor counties.
The automated cameras read license plates and use artificial intelligence to estimate a vehicle’s make, model, color, body type and, in some cases, unique features like roof racks or bumper stickers.
The proposal drew opposition from Leon County residents, many of whom raised concerns about privacy and the potential for the cameras to be used to track people’s movements.
One opponent, Azariah Richardson, questioned whether the technology could create new risks.
“If technology designed to protect us, has vulnerabilities, especially relating to our data, what happens when the wrong people find them, and how can this technology provide the reassurance of safety when it's clear that these vulnerabilities are very easy to find?” he said.
The commissioners widely opposed the cameras, including Commissioner Christian Caban.
“I support our law enforcement. However, I hate those damn cameras, and I think they are an invasion of privacy. I don't like seeing them driving in neighborhoods," he said.
Commissioners approved other law enforcement grant funding but rejected the Flock camera item. The commission also voted to have staff return with an item in September exploring whether it has the authority to prohibit or remove Flock cameras in Leon County.
