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29 <br /> 1 . Added Medicaid code for behavioral health urgent care centers <br /> 2 . Added non-partisan redistricting under general government <br /> 3 . Changed water/sewer language from "seek legislation" to "seek funding" <br /> 4 • Added invasive species research funding support under environment <br /> 5 <br /> 6 Chair Hamilton said the talking points in the packet are good for the NCACC meetings, <br /> 7 but also for commissioners when talking in the community. <br /> 8 <br /> 9 A motion was made by Chair Hamilton, seconded by Commissioner McKee, to approve <br /> 10 the Top 6 Orange County 2026 Priority Legislative Issues document, as amended, and the full list <br /> 11 of twenty-one (21) Priority Legislative Issues, as amended, for submittal to Orange County's <br /> 12 legislative delegation. <br /> 13 <br /> 14 VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br /> 15 <br /> 16 Greg Wilder confirmed that the legislative breakfast packet would include both amended <br /> 17 attachments plus the eight-page talking points document as supplemental information. <br /> 18 <br /> 19 c. Discussion on Larne-Scale Data Center Development in Orange County <br /> 20 This item was added at the beginning of the meeting. <br /> 21 <br /> 22 Commissioner Carter introduced this agenda item, explaining that NACO's Legislative <br /> 23 Conference strongly encouraged counties to prepare for the data center industry's arrival by <br /> 24 reviewing potential impacts and assessing land use guardrails.The explosive growth in computing <br /> 25 power and data centers driven by Al creates concerns about utility impacts on residential bills and <br /> 26 water usage demands for cooling systems. She referenced Loudoun County, Virginia's <br /> 27 experiences and noted bipartisan North Carolina legislation from previous sessions addressing <br /> 28 resident protection from electrical utility impacts, including House Bills 638 and 1002. She noted <br /> 29 the timing was appropriate given the World Day for Water proclamation in the consent agenda. <br /> 30 <br /> 31 A motion was made by Commissioner Carter, seconded by Commissioner Bedford, for <br /> 32 the Board to direct County staff to prepare a presentation for our next Business Meeting on <br /> 33 March 17, 2026 that addresses the following: <br /> 34 <br /> 35 1. The potential impacts of large-scale data center development in Orange County, <br /> 36 including electricity demand, water usage, land use compatibility, environmental <br /> 37 considerations, and potential impacts on residents' utility costs, and water quality. <br /> 38 <br /> 39 2. Policy options available to the County, including, but not limited to, a temporary <br /> 40 moratorium on data center development, revising the Orange County Land Use Plan and <br /> 41 UDO, and the legal process required to implement each option. <br /> 42 <br /> 43 3. Recommendation(s)for Board action. <br /> 44 <br /> 45 Commissioner McKee noted land has reportedly been purchased in Person County for a <br /> 46 data center that would draw power from Mayo Lake Power Station via lines running through <br /> 47 Orange County, potentially raising rates countywide. <br /> 48 Commissioner Portie-Ascott supported gathering additional information to understand <br /> 49 impacts. <br /> 50 Vice-Chair Fowler agreed, noting that data centers provide few jobs relative to their utility <br /> 51 costs and environmental impacts. <br />