Woodbury County is taking legal action against the town of Salix over the annexation of land being considered for a potential data center.
Google announced Monday it is evaluating the 900-acre site there for a possible data center. Woodbury County officials, including Supervisor chair Mark Nelson, want a judge to rule whether the annexation was legal. “We received a petition from residents asking the county to do a review of this and try to intervene judicially if possible. County Attorney’s Office spent a lot of time reviewing that, and they found, you know, irregularities that we just don’t see with other annexations,” Nelson says.
Court documents allege Salix did not properly notify residents and annexed property that does not border the city’s limits. “We just wanna make sure that our constituents always have access to the most information possible and that if there is a system that we’re supposed to follow when it comes to annexation or anything else, that it’s being followed to the letter of the law.”
The Mayor of Salix says he can’t comment on pending litigation. However, during a city council meeting last month, he said the city followed state law. Residents who oppose the project say it would harm the environment. Supporters say it would bring jobs and boost the local economy.
(By Sheila Brummer, Iowa Public Radio)