TO: Honorable Mayor & Members of the North Port Commission
FROM: A. Jerome Fletcher II, ICMA-CM, MPA, City Manager
TITLE: Presentation Regarding Data Center Research and Information From Regional Experts Including Representatives From Florida Power and Light, Peace River Manasota Regional Water Supply Authority, and the Florida Digital Infrastructure and Security Alliance.
Recommended Action
Presentation regarding data center research and information from regional experts including representatives from Florida Power and Light, Peace River Manasota Regional Water Supply Authority, and the Florida Digital Infrastructure and Security Alliance.
City Commission Options
Not applicable.
Background Information
During the City Commission Regular Meeting held on July 21, 2026, the Commission approved an amended motion to “to direct the City Manager to immediately issue a public notice and to schedule an agenda item to act on an Ordinance imposing an 18-month moratorium retroactively on accepting and approving any application for any data centers in the City of North Port excluding those properties under Senate Bill (SB) 180 affected by storms Debbie, Helene, and Ian and to schedule a Workshop on hyperscale data centers and related technologies; conduct a community engagement event or series sharing same information; provide suggested definitions of hyperscale data centers and sources of definitions; update the Noise Ordinance to include frequencies typical of hyperscale data centers; complete an update to the Unified Land Development Code to include requirements for hyperscale data centers incorporating technologies and their designs; review and possibly revise the current tax treatment and any potential tax or other exemptions or provisions relative to data centers; and to deliver a presentation on results and recommendations at a future meeting.”
Following the Commission’s direction, staff contacted regional and statewide organizations and subject matter experts to gather information regarding data centers; their infrastructure needs; and potential community impacts. The presentation summarizes the information obtained through that research and will be attached to the staff summary prior to the City Commission Workshop on September 3, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. In addition, the presentation will be delivered by City staff and regional experts, including representatives from Florida Power & Light, the Peace River Manasota Regional Water Supply Authority, and the Florida Digital Infrastructure and Security Alliance during this City Commission Workshop.
Strategic Plan Pillar
Good Governance
Financial Impact
Not applicable.
Procurement
Not applicable.
Attachments:
1. Presentation
Prepared by: Tricia Wisner, Assistant City Manager
Department Director: Tricia Wisner, Assistant City Manager