Supervisors pass budget amendment and zoning ordinance amendment regarding data centers, hear citizen concerns regarding their environmental and other impacts
by Joe Moses
The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, April 13 to address a full agenda of matters including the Public Hearing for the Fiscal-Year 2026 Allamakee County Budget Amendment, consideration of the Third Reading of Amendment 20 to Zoning Ordinance L for Data Centers, and the discussion and consideration of hiring a full-time 911 Dispatcher/Corrections Officer. The meeting was called to order by Board of Supervisors Chairperson Tom Clark with Supervisors Dennis Keatley and Dan Byrnes present.
During Public Comment, Crystal Duffy of Postville discussed potential negative impacts relating to data centers - facilities involved in data processing, cryptocurrency or artificial intelligence (AI) - upon rural counties. Relating to energy demands, Duffy advised that one data center facility can require 870,000 megawatts (MW) per year, which alone is over three times Allamakee County’s average use of 246,000 MW per year.
Duffy shared that there would be challenges in producing that much energy with coal, solar and wind generation combined with increased electricity rates for all likely, with Duffy noting a 20-percent rate increase in Pennsylvania following the introduction of data centers in that state. Among other statistics shared, Duffy noted that data centers can use one to five million gallons of water daily, which is the equivalent of 100,000 homes, with noise pollution being another concern with data centers operating at 90 decibels (dB), and 85 dB being the threshold for harming human hearing.
Other concerns discussed included light pollution and air pollution with Duffy also noting challenges in holding corporations accountable for environmental impacts relating to pollution, unauthorized well drilling, among other factors including water depletion through the evaporative cooling process necessary for temperature control at these facilities.
In conclusion, Duffy briefly discussed the Iowa Rural Summit recently held in Dubuque in addition to recognizing Executive Director Val Reinke of Allamakee County Economic Development (ACED) as a positive representative and advocate for the county with Reinke being one of the speakers and panelists at that event. Duffy added that Waukon’s achievements from a construction and housing perspective were noted by many and part of the conversation at this summit.
The meeting moved into the Public Hearing for the Fiscal-Year 2026 (FY26) Allamakee County Budget Amendment. The Public Hearing was opened with Byrnes providing an overview of additional routine expenses which made this budget amendment necessary. The Public Hearing was closed. The Supervisors next addressed the consideration of adopting the FY26 Budget Amendment with that matter being approved. Prior to voting on the next matter, Byrnes read aloud the Appropriations Resolution for the FY26 Allamakee County Budget Amendment with the Supervisors approving the Resolution as presented.
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