Residents Applaud Hogansville Moratorium on Data Centers

By TODD PIKE
The February 2, 2026, Hogansville City Council meeting, with Mayor Pro Tem Mandy Neese once again filling in for absent Mayor Jake Ayers,  began with unanimous approval of the consent agenda. Customer Service Manager over Utilities, Ameia Williams, presented Meter Technician Titus Roberson with a five- year anniversary award for his employment with the city. She spoke of his dedication and hard work over that time in serving the citizens of Hogansville.
Next, Toni Teagle spoke for the second time before the council about mental health community resources. Teagle is a certified Peer Specialist and NOMI Connection Support Group Leader who wants to offer her services, free of charge, to those in the area suffering from mental illness and depression. She wants to be able to help people get past the stigma of mental illness and feel comfortable enough to seek help. Teagle was hoping the city could provide a building where she can set up her facility. 
Paula Darden made a citizen appearance to speak about noise pollution caused by data centers. She read statistics about data centers having backup diesel generators that can be used up to 100 hours each year, and even more if electrical power is disrupted for lengthy periods. She said these generators release small particles called PM2.5 and nitrogen oxide gas, both of which can enter the body through the lungs and then the bloodstream, being especially dangerous for young children and the elderly. Prolonged exposure can lead to asthma, lung infections, high blood pressure and COPD. Since PM2.5 and nitrogen oxide can travel through the air for miles, the proposed data center on Hightower Road could affect not only residents in Hogansville, but also children at Callaway Elementary and Callaway Middle Schools on Hammett Road. 
In new business, much discussion was heard about an ordinance of the first reading of a UDO Amendment to create a Heavy Industrial Hi Zoning Code to restrict where potential data centers can be built in the city. Presently, one third of the city’s zoned districts could have a data center built on them. After City Attorney Alex Dixon said the first reading of the ordinance could be tabled for two weeks, the council voted to do so until several questions could be answered.
Next, the council discussed a moratorium on not allowing data centers to be built. They were instructed by Dixon that they could choose one moratorium that excludes the proposed site on Hightower Road, and another that doesn’t exclude that site. In order to further study data centers and rezoning that sets guidelines for them, and to prevent having to make numerous amendments, the council unanimously approved a 90-day all-inclusive moratorium that includes the Fertile Ground proposed site. This decision was met with a nice round of applause.
In the final piece of new business, City Manager Lisa Kelly and City Works Director Andy Jones discussed changes they want to make about using the city’s water jet system to unclog wastewater pipes for homeowners. The city has provided the service as a courtesy, but wants regulations in place to protect the city in the event of pipe breakage. The new policy would require citizens to fill out work order requests and sign waivers that protect the city from liability. The city  would also charge $50 for having the clogs removed, after the third visit. They also will no longer service 3″ or smaller pipes because the psi of the city’s machine tends to destroy those pipes. Jones stated that many of these problems would be avoided if citizens stopped putting grease and “flushable” wipes down their drains.
In her City Manager’s Report, Kelly stated the Adopt-A Street Program has had four people sign up in the past two weeks, after an earlier problem with the online signup. More Volunteers are wanted. She said Rob Dibble, the managing director of the Royal Theater, reported that Fox Gives, the grant funding arm of the Fox Theater, has before and after photos of the Royal on their latest cover banner. The Blind boys of Alabama will perform at the Royal on March 27, after their earlier appearance was postponed due to the threat of icy weather.
Police Chief Jeffrey Sheppard displayed a new fitted vest all the officers will soon be wearing. They were obtained through OPB federal grant money. The city’s new AED devices are networked through Wellstar West Georgia Medical Center and they will be alerted when one is activated. Captain Milliron is Hogansville’s first responder instructor and all city workers have been certified in CPR, first aid and AED usage. The new, large “No Trucks” signs have been installed on Johnson Street and Boyd Road to hopefully prevent trucks from getting stuck on their railroad crossings. 
The public hearing scheduled for Monday February 16, at 7 pm before the mayor and council at City Hall, has been cancelled and will be rescheduled at a later date.