The Murray City Council unanimously approved a data center ordinance on second reading Thursday, establishing regulations for the controversial industry within the city.
Council member Danny Hudspeth said he, council members Alice Rouse, Bonnie Higginson and Wesley Bolin, Planning Department Director Carol Downey and City Administrator Jim Osborne met before Thursday’s council meeting for what he described as an “informed meeting,” reviewing information provided by city staff and the city attorney.
Hudspeth then read a note from Osborne that he said captured the “spirit” of the ordinance’s purpose. Osborne wrote that city staff, the planning commission, the city attorney and the data center study group spent significant time developing and tailoring Ordinance 2026-1981 to protect residents while remaining legally justified.
“The ordinance that we began with was very environmentally responsive and provided significant protections to our community in the event that a data center ever met the requirements for approval,” Osborne wrote. “Over the past two months, with input from a variety of stakeholders, we have made that ordinance even stronger and more protective for our community.
“This is a rare accomplishment in government and a testament to everyone working together to tackle an issue, rather than turning a blind eye hoping it will go away. Each of you, each of you, should be commended for that.”
Tara Lynn Kallaher and Brandy Valentine, who have frequently participated in public discussions about the data center ordinance, were mentioned by name as contributors who submitted individual analyses of the ordinance.
Council members asked Downey how much of their input was reflected in the final draft, and she said many of the issues they raised had already been addressed.
Kallaher’s analysis focused on items such as insurance requirements, insurance limits, insurance status, replacing “may” with “shall” in appropriate places, quarterly inspections, unannounced inspections, security and proprietary information, reinspection following violations and facility expansion.
These topics and others are addressed in Kallaher’s 23-page analysis, which can be read here.
Referring to an issue raised in Kallaher’s report, Council member Terry Strieter told Downey he was concerned about the city being “on the hook” for the cost of surveys and reviews.
“That should be for the data center builders,” Strieter told Downey.
Downey said the ordinance requires facilities to submit an annual usage report. The city can, at the facility owner’s expense, conduct compliance testing on a data center at any time and suspend or revoke permits upon the failure of an inspection.
Council member Joe Darnall addressed concerns from residents who believe the ordinance does not go far enough because it stops short of an outright ban. He said the city can only adopt measures it can legally defend.
But if a data center were proposed outside the city limits, he encouraged residents to take their concerns to county, state and federal officials.
“If you want to deal with this at the federal level, please do not stop in the city of Murray, do not stop in Calloway County, do not stop in the state legislature,” Darnall said. “Continue talking to every branch of government that has any kind of representation towards you and hold them accountable. … Our ability to help you stops at the city limit.”
Higginson and Bolin both said Murray’s ordinance is stronger than the original draft from the Kentucky Resources Council.
“Even if we wanted one, (Murray) is not suitable for a data center,” Higginson said. “What we need in our limited industrial zone is industry that brings jobs in, and as I think probably everyone in the room knows, data centers bring very minimal jobs. We need something that brings in 150, 200, 300, (or) 1,000 jobs.”
Bolin thanked the community for “participating publicly in democracy.” He said the work of city government combined with the public’s involvement resulted in a better ordinance.
“I believe this document represents what Murray is and what we want to be. I think this is also a reminder of what we can accomplish when people care deeply and consistently, and I hope to see continued participation throughout the months and other things that we take on, and other things that the community is passionate about. I'm glad to have been a part of this.”
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