The Hill County Commissioners Court has scheduled a public hearing on a petition seeking the creation of an agricultural development district that supporters say would help protect farmland from industrial development, including data centers.
Authorized under Chapter 60 of the Texas Agriculture Code, agricultural development districts are special-purpose governmental bodies created to promote ag development and related economic activity. No such districts have been established to date in Texas, although they have been allowed under Texas law since 2001.
Commissioners acknowledged receipt of the petition during their meeting Tuesday, July 28 and set the public hearing for August 25, as required under Chapter 60 of the Texas Agriculture Code.
The petition was submitted by a group of Hill County landowners, including Debra Wherry, Lowell Williams, Allan Awtrey, John Blaha Jr., John Ondrej, Jan Barnes, Steven Jean, Charles Thomas, Spurgeon Root, Linda Polley, James Lloyd Russell, Brad Russell, Travis Russell and Tim Russell.
According to the petition, the district’s purpose would be to “promote, develop, and support agricultural facilities and employment in Hill County” while counteracting the expansion of industrial data centers and other technology infrastructure.
The petition states that large industrial projects threaten agriculture by reducing available farmland, increasing demand on groundwater and utility resources needed for farming and ranching, and creating potential risks to surrounding agricultural land and watersheds.
Petitioners propose that the district be governed by a board of directors appointed by the commissioners court. Proposed board members submitted for the court’s consideration were Lowell Thomas, Allan Awtrey, John Blaha Jr., Charles Thomas and Linda Polley.
Under state law, the commissioners court must hold a public hearing on the petition before determining whether the proposed district meets legal requirements and whether its creation would serve a public purpose.
County Judge Shane Brassell said that the law allowing the creation of such districts has existed for 25 years but has never been utilized in the state. Under the law, the court has to send out notices to all municipalities in the county that would be included, which the petition lists as Hillsboro, Abbott, Aquilla, Blum, Bynum, Carl’s Corner, Covington, Hubbard, Itasca, Malone, Mertens, Mount Calm, Penelope and Whitney.
After the public hearing, the court can consider the petition. If the court finds it acceptable, additional steps, including an election, would be required before the district could become permanent.
The petitioners said that the board would utilize its authorized powers to preserve agricultural integrity, foster sustainable farming practices and protect local food production networks from industrial encroachment.
One individual spoke against the proposal in open forum. Lydia Abney said that such districts carry the power of eminent domain and would sweep up landowners who do not approve of having their land limited indefinitely. “I did not vote for this court to cater to a minority and expose the county to liability,” she said. “I voted for you to make sound financial decisions.”
The court will hear opinions on the proposal during a public hearing set for Tuesday, August 25, at 8:30 a.m. in the county courtroom of the courthouse.
The Lakelander 