Clarification on my role in the potential Data Center discussion

Over the past several days I have seen my name tagged and referenced as a “decision maker” regarding a potential data center project being discussed in Shelby County. I want to take a moment to clearly explain how local government works and what my actual role is in this process.

The potential project being discussed is located on land that is currently in the process of being annexed into the City of Shelbyville. Because of that, the governing body that would ultimately make land use and zoning decisions for this project is the City Common Council. County government functions differently. If this same project were proposed on land that remained in the unincorporated county, the decision makers would be the County Commissioners, not the County Council.

As a member of the Shelby County Council, my role is as part of the county’s fiscal body. My responsibilities are financial in nature. That includes approving and amending the county budget, setting tax rates, approving the transfer of funds between departments, establishing wages and benefits for county employees, and voting on financial ordinances that govern how taxpayer dollars are raised and spent. In short, my job is to ensure the county is financially stable, responsible, and positioned to meet both current and future needs.

Because of that responsibility, I spend a great deal of time evaluating the potential fiscal impacts of large projects. I can clearly see the significant benefits that a project of this magnitude could bring. That includes transformative revenue for local schools, relief on tax rates over time, and long-term financial stability for essential services. Those are real positives and they deserve serious consideration.

At the same time, none of those benefits matter if there are environmental or quality-of-life impacts that cannot be responsibly mitigated. As a community, we have an obligation to protect our residents, our water, and our environment. That is why it is critical that strong, well-written ordinances exist to set clear expectations and safeguards before any project moves forward.

With that in mind, I have been working diligently to draft an ordinance that can serve as a starting point. I have shared that work with the City so they have something concrete to reference if they choose to use it. My goal is not to dictate outcomes, but to ensure that if a project is considered, the community is protected by clear and enforceable standards.

I also believe it is just as important to be prepared on the financial side. That means having a thoughtful plan for how revenue is maximized and how leverage is used to negotiate the strongest possible economic agreement for our community. Preparation matters. Waiting until the last minute does not serve taxpayers well.

While I am not a final decision maker on this specific project, I take my responsibility to be prepared very seriously. If the actual decision makers choose to move forward with a project, I want our community to be ready with both a strong ordinance and a sound financial plan that reflects our values and protects our future.

Jeremy Ruble
County Council - At Large
jruble@co.shelby.in.us