The Ector County Commissioner's Court has scheduled public hearings for the tax rate and proposed budget. During a recent meeting, citizens expressed opposition to data centers, with one speaker urging the court to protect residents. Commissioner Mike Gardner acknowledged concerns about data centers, but noted that the county cannot dictate how landowners use their property.

Further discussion centered on the potential impact of data centers in the area. One citizen, JoAnna Keese, accused the court of secrecy and claimed that land has already been cleared for a data center.

Details of the public hearings and the proposed budget are available from the Ector County Commissioner's Court or the Odessa American.