Farmington Mayor Hoyt Resigns After Heated Data Center Meeting

Mayor cites mental health in resignation following contentious February 2nd council meeting

Farmington Mayor Joshua Hoyt resigned from his position effective immediately, citing the need to prioritize his mental health.

The resignation comes days after a February 2nd city council meeting that I can only describe as one of the most intense I've covered. I posted three videos from that meeting, and they've been viewed 3.6 million times with 21,000 likes and 1,700 comments. Those numbers tell you everything about how much Farmington residents care about what's happening in their community.

What Happened at That Meeting

The meeting was about the Farmington Technology Park — that controversial $5 billion data center project planned for the old Fountain Valley Golf Club site. (If you've been following along, you know this project has been causing heated debates for months.)

More than a dozen residents showed up to speak. They brought photos of light pollution from similar facilities. They talked about 250-foot setbacks from homes, noise concerns, and water usage. These weren't casual complaints — people came prepared with data and real concerns about how this project will affect their daily lives.

Then a 13-year-old girl from Hastings stepped up to the microphone. She talked about mental health support for first responders. She referenced an earlier meeting where a retired Farmington firefighter had opened up about his own mental health struggles and suicide plan.

"You sing praises when the outcome is rainbows and butterflies, but when someone's life is lost, you turn your back on the first responder that needs you most," she told the council.

Things Got Heated

As the meeting went on, tensions built over the council's five-minute limit for citizen comments. Multiple speakers pushed back on the policy, calling it discriminatory. Some residents felt cut off before they could finish making their points.

By 8:02 PM, things got heated enough that the council had to take a recess.

When they came back, Mayor Hoyt gave a long defense of both the five-minute policy and the data center project itself. He pushed back on what he said were factual errors in resident comments about things like diesel generators, water usage, and tax exemptions.

"Hard decisions have to be made for the betterment of the majority of the community," Hoyt said. "Period. Don't have to like it, but it has to be done."

The Resignation Letter

In his resignation letter, Hoyt was candid about why he's stepping down.

"After careful consideration, I have come to the difficult decision that I must step away from my role as Mayor to focus on my mental health," he wrote. "I believe that leadership requires clarity, presence, and well-being, and at this time, I need to prioritize my health in order to heal and regain balance."

He also thanked city staff and residents: "Serving our community has been one of the greatest honors of my life. I am profoundly grateful for the trust you placed in me, the dedication of our city staff, and the passion and resilience of our residents."

Why This Matters Beyond the Drama

Look, it's easy to focus on the heated exchanges and the viral video numbers. But here's what's really important: this is about the future of Farmington.

The Coalition for Responsible Data Center Development has over 350 members and filed a lawsuit to stop the project. State Representative Patti Acomb — who co-chairs the Minnesota House Energy Committee — has specifically called out Farmington's data center as problematic planning.

She questioned whether a massive industrial facility belongs "on a golf course that is completely surrounded by residential zoning."

And here's the thing: the project hasn't even cleared all its hurdles yet. The DNR water permit is still pending. The final plat recording has been delayed multiple times. Another extension deadline is coming up May 18th.

What Happens Next

Council Member Lien will serve as Acting Mayor while the city figures out the formal transition process.

Mayor Hoyt's resignation will be officially considered at the February 17th City Council meeting. Then on March 2nd, the council will hold a work session to discuss how to fill the vacant seat and determine future leadership roles.

In a statement, the city thanked Mayor Hoyt for his service: "We are deeply grateful for Mayor Hoyt's years of dedicated service to the City of Farmington. He truly believes in this community and lives and breathes Farmington. His passion for our city and support for both residents and staff have left a lasting impact."

A Final Thought

There's something bigger here than just one council meeting or one data center project.

The February 2nd meeting touched on mental health for first responders, mental health in public service, how residents engage with their city council, and how cities balance economic development with quality of life.

Those are conversations worth having, even when — especially when — they're uncomfortable.

What questions do you have? About the data center, the leadership transition, or anything else happening in Farmington? Check out our other Farmington coverage or hit me up directly.

A Note on Privacy

Mayor Hoyt has been candid about stepping back to focus on his mental health, and that takes courage. As a community, the best thing we can do is respect his privacy during this time. Please don't reach out to him directly.

If you have questions or concerns about Farmington's leadership or the data center project, direct them to the city council or city administration.