Local
Ten documented instances of inadequate public notice from the Clerk own website spanning April through September 2026. Four meetings announced the same day they were held. Multiple AI and data center workshops included.
NewsOnScale Staff
September 16, 2026
Florida's Government in the Sunshine Law — Florida Statute 286.011 — requires that all meetings of public boards or commissions be publicly noticed with reasonable advance notice so citizens have a meaningful opportunity to attend and participate in their government.
The Dixie County Clerk of Court's own website documents a pattern of meeting announcements published one day before the meetings were held — and in some cases the same day — spanning from at least April through September 2026.
During this same period the Dixie County Board of County Commissioners held multiple workshops specifically on AI and data center development, over the unanimous opposition of community members who attended those meetings.
The Documented Pattern — From the Clerk's Own Website
The following announcement dates and meeting dates are taken directly from dixieclerk.com:
April 16, 2026 — Regular BOCC Meeting — announced April 14 — two days notice
May 7, 2026 — Regular Meeting and Workshop — announced May 6 — one day notice
May 11, 2026 — BOCC and Town of Horseshoe Beach Workshop — announced May 11 — same day notice
July 24, 2026 — BOCC Workshop Regarding AI/Data Center Moratorium Request — announced July 24 — same day notice
August 20, 2026 — BOCC Workshop — announced August 20 — same day notice
August 25, 2026 — Emergency BOCC Budget Meeting — announced August 24 — one day notice
August 27, 2026 — Emergency BOCC Budget Meeting — announced August 26 — one day notice
September 2, 2026 — Emergency BOCC Budget Meeting — announced September 1 — one day notice
September 10, 2026 — LPA Meeting — announced September 10 — same day notice
September 14, 2026 — BOCC AI/Data Center Workshop, Final Budget Hearing, and Regular Meeting — announced September 11 — three days notice
That is ten documented instances of inadequate public notice spanning five months. Four of them were the same day the meeting was held.
What the Law Requires
Florida Statute 286.011 requires that all meetings of public boards or commissions be open to the public and that reasonable notice be provided. Florida courts have interpreted reasonable notice as at least 72 hours for regular meetings.
Emergency meetings allow for shorter notice but only when a genuine emergency exists. A natural disaster, an imminent public safety crisis — those are emergencies. Budget workshops and land use meetings are planned government business. Calling them emergency meetings to justify one-day notice is an abuse of the emergency exception.
Willful violations of the Sunshine Law are a second degree misdemeanor under Florida law. Individual commissioners can be personally liable. Any action taken at an improperly noticed meeting can be challenged and potentially voided in court.
The Data Center Connection
The Clerk's website documents the following AI and data center related meetings:
July 24, 2026 — BOCC Workshop Regarding AI/Data Center Moratorium Request — announced same day August 6, 2026 — BOCC Workshop Regarding AI/Data Center Moratorium Request — announced July 24 September 14, 2026 — BOCC AI/Data Center Workshop — announced September 11 — three days notice
At the September 3 2026 meeting — the last meeting with adequate public notice — community members were present in significant numbers. Every resident raised their hand in opposition to data center development. Commissioners refused to answer conflict of interest questions about data centers at two consecutive public meetings.
The September 14 AI/Data Center workshop — announced three days before — was the next time the issue was addressed publicly. Many residents had no meaningful opportunity to attend.
The LPA Meeting
The Local Planning Agency meeting on September 10 2026 was announced the same day it was held. The LPA handles land use and zoning decisions in Dixie County. Data center approvals require LPA review. A meeting announced the same day it is held gives residents zero opportunity to attend, speak, or object.
What Nassau County Did
Nassau County Florida — facing the same data center development pressure — passed an ordinance imposing a temporary moratorium on data center development and established a formal fact-finding committee to evaluate impacts before making any decision.
Dixie County has taken no such step despite documented unanimous community opposition.
What Residents Can Do
File a Sunshine Law complaint: Florida Attorney General Government in the Sunshine hotline: 1-866-966-7226
File a written complaint with the State Attorney for the Third Judicial Circuit which covers Dixie County.
Attend the next meeting — expected October 2 2026 at 214 NE 351 Hwy, Cross City, FL 32628 at 10:00 AM. Call (352) 498-1206 to confirm.
Submit a public records request for all agendas, minutes, and communications related to data center development.
NewsOnScale has submitted a public records request to Dixie County for all communications between commissioners, the county attorney, and any data center company or representative.
DISCLOSURE: NewsOnScale is an independent media publication operated by AMILLI AI CORP. JJ Johnson is the founder of AMILLI AI CORP, a Dixie County resident, and a declared candidate for President of the United States in 2028. All meeting dates and announcement dates cited in this article are taken directly from the Dixie County Clerk of Court website at dixieclerk.com, which is a public record.