IN THE COUNTY LEGISLATURE OF JACKSON COUNTY, MISSOURI
Title
A RESOLUTION directing the County Executive, the Department of Public Works, and all appropriate County departments and agencies to develop and implement a comprehensive framework governing the siting, construction, expansion, and operation of artificial intelligence and high-capacity data center facilities within Jackson County, Missouri, and establishing conditions necessary to protect public infrastructure, utility systems, environmental resources, public safety, and neighboring communities.
Intro
RESOLUTION NO. 22323, June 22, 2026
INTRODUCED BY Manuel Abarca IV, County Legislator
Body
WHEREAS, Jackson County recognizes the growing importance of artificial intelligence, cloud computing, advanced technology infrastructure, and data center development as drivers of economic growth, innovation, and job creation; and
WHEREAS, large-scale artificial intelligence and data center facilities require substantial amounts of electrical and gas power, water resources, telecommunications infrastructure, and public services; and
WHEREAS, the rapid expansion of such facilities may have significant impacts upon utility systems, transportation infrastructure, environmental resources, emergency response capabilities, and surrounding residential and commercial neighborhoods; and
WHEREAS, Jackson County seeks to encourage responsible technological development while ensuring transparency, accountability, public participation, and the protection of County residents and businesses; and
WHEREAS, the Legislature finds that sufficient time is necessary to establish policies, standards, and agreements governing future data center development within Jackson County; now therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the County Legislature of Jackson County, Missouri, as follows:
Section 1. Moratorium Established.
The County Executive, the Department of Public Works, and all relevant County departments are hereby directed to suspend and refrain from approving any permits, zoning actions, site plans, development agreements, incentives, or other authorizations related to the construction, expansion, or development of new artificial intelligence or large-scale data center facilities within Jackson County for a period of one hundred eighty (180) days following adoption of this Resolution.
Section 2. Sunset and Reassessment.
The moratorium established herein shall automatically expire one hundred eighty (180) days after its effective date unless extended by subsequent action of the Legislature. Prior to expiration, the County Executive shall provide a comprehensive report and recommendations to the Legislature regarding proposed policies, standards, and regulations governing future data center development.
Section 3. Environmental Impact Study.
Prior to approval of any future artificial intelligence or data center facility, the developer shall be required to fund an independent environmental impact study conducted by a qualified third-party consultant approved by Jackson County. Such study shall evaluate, at a minimum:
a. Water consumption and long-term water demand;
b. Energy consumption and greenhouse gas impacts;
c. Stormwater management and runoff impacts;
d. Air quality impacts;
e. Noise impacts;
f. Land use compatibility;
g. Construction-related impacts;
h. Effects on nearby residential neighborhoods, parks, schools, and sensitive environmental areas, and
i. Any other environmental considerations deemed appropriate by County staff.
The results of such study shall be made available to the public prior to any final approval.
Section 4. Community Benefits Agreement.
The County Executive shall develop standards requiring any future data center developer to enter into a Community Benefits Agreement prior to project approval.
Such agreement shall be negotiated with meaningful participation from affected neighborhoods, community organizations, local governments, and stakeholders and shall address, at a minimum:
a. Workforce development opportunities;
b. Local hiring commitments;
c. Apprenticeship and training opportunities;
d. Public infrastructure improvements;
e. Community investments;
f. Mitigation of neighborhood impacts;
g. Neighborhood quality-of-life-protections, and
h. Ongoing community engagement and accountability measures.
Section 5. Utility Impact Agreement.
The County Executive is directed to develop standards requiring any future data center developer to enter into a Utility Impact Agreement with affected utility providers and Jackson County.
Such agreement shall include:
a. Anticipated energy demand and peak load requirements;
b. Water consumption projections;
c. Telecommunications and broadband requirements;
d. Infrastructure upgrades required to serve the facility;
e. Cost allocation for necessary utility improvements;
f. Expected future growth and expansion projections;
g. Monitoring and reporting requirements; and
h. Measures to protect existing residential and commercial customers from adverse impacts.
Section 6. Utility Capacity and Monitoring Study.
Prior to approval of any future facility, the developer shall fund an independent utility capacity study evaluating:
a. Existing system capacity;
b. Expected demand generated by the proposed facility;
c. Potential impacts upon residential, commercial, and governmental utility users;
d. Reliability concerns;
e. Future infrastructure needs; and
f. Recommended monitoring procedures.
The study shall be completed and reviewed prior to any final approval and shall include recommendations for ongoing monitoring of actual utility consumption throughout the life of the facility.
Section 7. Public Notice Requirements.
The County Executive is directed to work collaboratively with electric, gas, water, and other utility providers serving Jackson County to establish public notification procedures regarding proposed data center developments.
Such notifications shall include:
a. The location and scale of the proposed facility;
b. Anticipated utility demand;
c. Potential impacts on utility infrastructure;
d. Anticipated infrastructure improvements;
e. Information regarding any projected impacts to utility rates or customer bills; and
f. Opportunities for public comment and engagement.
Notice shall be provided to affected utility customers prior to final approval of any project.
Section 8. Emergency Response and Public Safety Plan.
Prior to approval of any future facility, the developer shall submit a comprehensive Emergency Response and Public Safety Plan for review and approval by applicable emergency management, fire protection, public health, and public safety agencies.
The plan shall include:
a. Identification of all hazardous, combustible, toxic, or specialized materials used or stored on-site;
b. Fire suppression systems and protocols;
c. Emergency evacuation procedures;
d. Utility failure contingencies;
e. Coordination with local emergency responders;
f. Required training and equipment for first responders;
g. Funding mechanisms for any additional emergency response resources; and
h. Public notification procedures in the event of an emergency.
Section 9. Comprehensive Data Center Development Framework.
The County Executive and Department of Public Works shall prepare and present to the Legislature a comprehensive Data Center Development Framework addressing:
a. Land use standards;
b. Utility capacity planning;
c. Environmental safeguards;
d. Public engagement requirements;
e. Infrastructure cost-sharing policies;
f. Community benefits requirements;
g. Emergency preparedness standards;
h. Ongoing monitoring and reporting requirements; and
i. Recommendations for future legislation or regulations.
Section 9. Report to Legislature.
Within one hundred fifty (150) days of the adoption of this Resolution, the County Executive and the Department of Public Works shall present a written report to the Legislature outlining recommendations for a permanent regulatory framework governing artificial intelligence and data center development in Jackson County.
Section 10. Effective Date.
This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption.
Enacted and Approved
Effective Date: This Resolution shall be effective immediately upon its passage by a majority of the Legislature.
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Unsigned by County Counselor
______________________________
County Counselor
Certificate of Passage
I hereby certify that the attached resolution, Resolution No. 22323 of June 22, 2026, was duly passed on ___________________________, 2026 by the Jackson County Legislature. The votes thereon were as follows:
Yeas _________________ Nays ____________
Abstaining ___________ Absent ____________
______________________ ________________________________
Date Mary Jo Spino, Clerk of Legislature