County Board Chair Proposes Creation of an Advisory Committee on Data Centers

November 06, 2025
Dylan Moffitt, Policy, Outreach, and Communications Coordinator, (608) 228-9053
County Board

Committee will empower Dane County communities to make informed decisions about large-scale data center development

DANE COUNTY, Wis. — Dane County Board Chair Patrick Miles joined representatives from the Dane County Cities and Villages Association (DCCVA), and the Dane County Towns Association (DCTA) Thursday to announce the introduction of a county board resolution creating the Dane County Advisory Committee on Data Centers that will study the risks, benefits, and complex questions raised by large-scale data center development.

2025 RES-205 will be introduced at the Dane County Board of Supervisors meeting Thursday evening. The proposal calls for an 11-member advisory committee comprising representatives from county towns, cities, and villages; environmental and energy experts; and members of the public with expertise in data center development, land use, and sustainability.

“As the demand for artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure grows, data centers are becoming a major development trend across the country, including Wisconsin,” said County Board Chair Patrick Miles. “These projects promise to bring investment and jobs, but they also raise complex questions about energy use, water resources, and long-term land use. 

“Community residents nationwide have expressed frustration and mistrust regarding proposed projects. In decision-making that can significantly impact a community, trust isn't built on promises. It's built on clear, verifiable information. It's built on transparency. The work of this committee will be to deliver that clear, verifiable information and to bring the transparency needed to earn the trust of community residents. These will be the tools to empower communities to make sound decisions.”

The committee will examine topics such as:

  • Energy and water use and their impacts on local utilities and ratepayers;
  • Land use and environmental compatibility, including farmland preservation and infrastructure planning;
  • Economic and fiscal impacts, including tax base and employment effects; and
  • Intergovernmental coordination and policy options for consistent review of data center proposals.

“Towns need clear, reliable information to make sound decisions about data center proposals,” said Renee Lauber, executive director of the Dane County Towns Association. “We need to understand how these developments align with local comprehensive plans and the county zoning code, what authority towns have to regulate them, and what lessons can be learned from other communities. I appreciate Chair Miles’ leadership in establishing this committee to bring local governments and stakeholders together. By working collaboratively, we can ensure that future growth respects our farming communities, supports compact development, and protects our land and water resources for generations to come.”

“As a supervisor representing both rural and urban communities, I recognize that the siting of a hyperscale data center presents complex questions and challenges—both at the local level and across our broader community,” said Supervisor Don Postler (Dist. 29). “Taking a countywide, collaborative approach to evaluating energy use, environmental impacts, and infrastructure capacity will be essential to making informed, data-driven decisions that benefit Dane County and safeguard our natural resources for future generations.”

“There is much to learn about the impacts of technology in a growing economy,” said Stoughton Mayor Tim Swadley, vice chair of the Dane County Cities and Villages Association. “This committee is an important step toward understanding those impacts and beginning a collaborative dialogue. I appreciate the county’s leadership in creating a space for local governments and experts to work together on this emerging issue.”

The advisory committee will convene within 60 days of adoption and deliver findings and policy recommendations within one year. Its report will serve as a resource for local governments, residents, and county departments as they consider future proposals and land use decisions.

The resolution is expected to be referred to the county board’s Zoning & Land Regulation Committee, Personnel & Finance Committee, and Environment, Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee for review. 2025 RES-205 will be publicly available on the Dane County Legislative Information Center (https://dane.legistar.com) beginning on Friday, Nov. 7, 2025.

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About the Dane County Board of Supervisors: The Dane County Board of Supervisors is the legislative and policymaking body of Dane County government. Composed of 37 supervisors elected to represent each county district, the county board’s mission is to effectively represent the people of Dane County, providing services that secure the blessings of freedom, ensure domestic tranquility, promote the general welfare, and perfect the forms of government. Learn more about the county board at https://board.danecounty.gov/.