WARREN — City Council on Wednesday placed legislation into first reading that would impose a permanent ban on new data centers in the city as some council members expressed concerns of risks to water supplies, wastewater systems, utility rates and the community’s residential character.

The measure, introduced by Councilwoman Helen Rucker, D-at Large, and Councilman Ron White, D-7th Ward, seeks to proactively restrict industrial-scale facilities that consume large amounts of energy and water while placing heavy demands on infrastructure the city may be unable to support.

The proposed ordinance states that data centers could create water supply issues, significant utility demands, potential adverse environmental impacts and conflicts with the city’s long-term planning goals. It cites the city’s recent multimillion-dollar investment in upgrading its wastewater treatment plant and concerns raised by department heads about possible strains on that system. The legislation calls for a permanent ban necessary “to preserve the City of Warren’s residential character, protect environmental resources, and ensure sustainable land use practices.”

Rucker told council during their caucus meeting that water is the community’s most precious resource and urged a full ban rather than a temporary moratorium. “There’s nothing more precious than our water,” she said.

She referenced conversations with city staff, articles about ballooning state costs for data center incentives that have more than tripled, and past local experiences with fracking where initial promises faded amid unforeseen problems.

She drew parallels to past experiences with fracking in the region where initial enthusiasm gave way to unforeseen issues and the city not getting the financial returns they had anticipated.

“Our citizens’ income is not the highest in the area. They can’t afford the increase of utility payments,” Rucker said.

She added that residents she spoke with at grocery stores and elsewhere overwhelmingly favored a permanent ban. Rucker said the matter should require more study and public conversation before any lifting.

Warren Mayor Doug Franklin asked council to proceed with first reading rather than emergency passage. Franklin said he was not advocating for data centers but said he’d like to share more information on them with council.

He talked about recent discussions in Columbus and warned that a blanket ban could limit the city’s ability to negotiate community benefits or regulate issues such as zoning, noise and water usage through normal processes. “Let’s have a committee meeting on it,” he suggested.

Several council members expressed support for additional review.

Greg Thumm, D-at Large, cited resident worries about water reuse after treatment and electricity costs passed on to consumers.

Todd Johnson, I-1st Ward, asked the deputy law director about the legality of targeting data centers specifically and noted the industry includes a wide range of sizes from massive facilities to smaller operations that could affect other businesses.

Greg Greathouse, D-3rd Ward, referenced attending a recent Niles City Council meeting and noted that most Trumbull County communities have enacted moratoriums on data centers.

Niles recently implemented a six-month pause on data centers following public outcry over a proposed facility tied to Bitdeer Technologies that involved annexation talks from Weathersfield. Similar concerns have echoed across Trumbull County where large-scale AI and cryptocurrency-related projects have drawn protests over water, power and pollution.

Rucker ultimately agreed to a first reading, but maintained her position.

“When the state of Ohio, with all its big law firms and scientists and engineers … got it wrong and have cost the taxpayers of this state nearly a billion dollars,” she said, “we’re a little small area … the most important asset that we have to protect is our water and our people.”

Council President John Brown indicated a hearing would be scheduled, possibly under the health and welfare committee.