Imperial County explores ballot measure to shift data center approvals to the public

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) - The debate over massive tech infrastructure in Imperial County reached a new turning point Tuesday morning, as local leaders discussed a sweeping proposal that could strip government officials of their sole approval power and give voters the final say on future data center developments.

The Imperial County Board of Supervisors gathered to debate the framework of a potential future ballot initiative.

The proposed measure aims to transition large-scale technology project approvals away from politicians and directly into the hands of the general public.

Because the item was placed on the agenda for discussion only, no official votes or actions were taken during the meeting.

The proposed initiative represents a significant shift in local governance. If eventually placed on a ballot and approved by voters, it would alter county law to require public approval for large-scale technology developments.

Supporters argue that a future "yes" vote from the board to advance the plan signals a commitment to public transparency.

Conversely, a "no" vote would mean keeping data center approvals entirely within the jurisdiction of local government officials.

"We talked about getting this to a moratorium, we talked about then doing a data center advisory group, and now this seems to be the next step in this process when it comes to data centers," said District 2 Supervisor Martha Cardenas-Singh, who helped bring the item forward.

Dozens of local residents packed the chambers in El Centro to voice their opinions during the public comment period, with a commanding majority echoing the call for direct democratic oversight.

Though, not all supervisors were on board with pushing the issue to a public vote. Some members argued that the county's recently established Data Center Advisory Committee should be allowed to complete its evaluation before the board considers a public ballot measure.

District 3 Supervisor Peggy Price urged patience, stating that committee representatives need time to evaluate the technical impacts of these projects.

"Let them do the research. Let them talk to the experts and then let them bring back their recommendations to the board," Price said.

Financial concerns regarding a special election also took center stage.

District 4 Supervisor Ryan E. Kelley strongly opposed moving forward with a standalone ballot measure due to the strain it would place on the county's budget.

"I would not see us going forward with the ballot measure, especially under a special election cost," Kelley said. "That would cost half a million dollars, and I do not believe that that is an appropriate use at this time."

In response to fiscal concerns, District 1 Supervisor Jesus Eduardo Escobar, who brought the discussion item forward alongside Supervisor Cardenas-Singh, countered with a compromised timeline.

Escobar proposed delaying the initiative to align with the March 2028 Super Tuesday ballot.

The 15-month runway would eliminate the steep costs associated with a special election while giving the Data Center Advisory Committee ample time to finalize its investigation.

"You need to put the power back to the people," Escobar argued. "If we are worried about cost, we can wait 15 months to make sure that the advisory committee is fully vested... and then they can prepare an opinion based on those facts moving forward."

Because Tuesday's proceedings were strictly exploratory, the issue remains open.

The Board of Supervisors retains the right to bring the item back for a formal vote or further debate at any scheduled meeting in the future.