Hooks council learns city is already under contract tied to proposed AI data center, passes resolution opposing license plate readers

HOOKS, Texas – The Hooks City Council planned to formally oppose the development of an artificial intelligence data center near the city Monday night. Instead, council members learned just before the meeting began that the city is already bound by a contract connected to the project.

The council tabled the resolution, numbered 26-07-20-1, which would have put the city on record opposing development of an artificial intelligence data center within unincorporated Bowie County adjacent to the city. Mayor Jimmy Cochran told the council the city was informed of the existing agreement as the meeting started.

“We just got wind of that just as the meeting started, and so we’re going to have to see what we’re going to have to do to get out of this contract,” Cochran said.

The city attorney is expected to begin reviewing the agreement immediately to determine whether the city can exit it.

During public comment, additional details emerged about the property involved. The site is the tract along Interstate 30 that Hooks, New Boston and Bowie County jointly acquired, with the Industrial Development Corporation furnishing the money for the land purchase. A council member said the contract dates to approximately 2021 and was signed under a prior administration. The contracting entity was identified in the meeting as “SDIC.”

A council member said the council intends to research the agreement, reword the resolution and bring it back at a future meeting.

Council opposes license plate readers

The council did pass a second surveillance-related measure Monday, unanimously adopting Resolution 26-07-20-2 opposing the implementation of automated license plate reader technology within the city.

City Attorney Colton Langford told the council that ALPR systems, which have been adopted by a growing number of area cities, use networked cameras to track license plates and effectively create a substitute for GPS surveillance, which typically requires a warrant.

“Something like 30 officers have been caught using [the systems] to stalk romantic partners or former romantic partners,” Langford said. “They’re doing things that, again, because there’s no warrants, there’s no oversight.”

The resolution includes a clause explicitly prohibiting any city official from soliciting a contract with an ALPR vendor such as Flock Safety Inc.

City officials stressed the measure was preemptive. No proposal to install cameras in Hooks had been made, but the council said it wanted to get ahead of the technology’s spread in the region.

“We’re just trying to get ahead of the table in case somebody just tries to sneak in or something,” Cochran said.

Council members signed the resolution following the vote.

Other business

The council selected State Bank as the city’s depository bank over Farmers Bank & Trust after members said State Bank waived fees that Farmers did not, making it the more economical option for the city. The vote was unanimous.

The council also unanimously approved a municipal legal services agreement with Texarkana law firm Langdon Davis LLP and voted to implement a performance improvement plan.