St. Petersburg mayoral candidate Charlie Crist announced a proposal for a one-year moratorium on new data center development in the city, citing concerns about rising utility rates. The announcement was made in a video posted to his social media on Saturday, following the City Council's preliminary approval of rate increases ranging from 6.5% to 9.75% for various water services. The City Council will consider final approval of the rate changes at its meeting on August 27.

Crist said the moratorium would begin if he is elected mayor, emphasizing affordability for residents. He noted that data centers can consume up to 5 million gallons of water per day, the equivalent of more than 16,000 average U.S. households, according to Consumer Reports citing EPA estimates. Increased water and energy demand from such facilities could drive up utility costs.

The proposal follows a similar one-year moratorium adopted by Pinellas Park on August 11, which froze a planned American Tower data center while the city revises its land development code. A state law, Senate Bill 484, requires data center operators to cover their own utility expenses and bars utilities from passing those costs onto other ratepayers, though the law has been criticized for being weak.

Mayoral candidate Brandi Gabbard, who voted for the rate increases, posted a video explaining her support, saying the adjustments are needed to keep pace with inflation, which stands at 3.4%. Crist criticized the rate hikes on social media, saying they would not be offset by any new services.

Early voting for the primary election, scheduled for Tuesday, has been underway since the previous weekend and will continue through Sunday. Polls currently place Crist ahead of incumbent Mayor Ken Welch and Gabbard, with former fire chief Jim Large trailing in fourth place.