JANESVILLE — The grass-roots group opposing a proposal to build a data center in Janesville says the city clerk on Wednesday has officially approved its direct-legislation petition.
But there’s still a long way to go before residents will be able to vote on a proposed data center.
The next step is for the city council to add the legislation to the agenda, and the group No Janesville Data Center is asking residents to write letters to the council urging them to consider the measure at the Monday, Jan. 26 council meeting.
The petition requires the city council to create a city ordinance requiring that all large proposed development projects for the GM/JATCO site be put before electors in a referendum.
If the council were to approve the ordinance at its Monday meeting, residents could vote on the data center as early as April.
But here’s how the referendum on the data center could be delayed.
The council also has the option to put the ordinance itself up for a referendum. If they choose that route, residents could vote on the ordinance in April.
However if the proposal isn’t on the agenda Monday, and instead delayed until next month, there won’t be enough time to place it on the ballot for April, and instead a vote by residents wouldn’t come until the fall.
Then, if voters approve the ordinance, a vote on the proposed data center wouldn’t come until April 2027.
According to the Wisconsin League of Municipalities, direct legislation is a process that allows citizens in cities and villages to submit a proposed ordinance or resolution to the community’s governing body for adoption or referral to a vote of the electors as provided for in Wisconsin Statute § 9.20.
A petition for direct legislation must be signed by “[a] number of electors equal to at least 15 percent of the votes cast for governor at the last general election in their city or village.” Wis. Stat. § 9.20(1). Within 15 days of the petition being filed, the clerk must determine whether the petition and proposed legislation are sufficient.