Residents Raise Concerns Over Palm Beach County's Project Tango

Potential conflicts of interest involving Mayor Sara Baxter and campaign donations from developers add to environmental and noise worries.

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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Residents in western Palm Beach County are raising new concerns about the proposed Project Tango development, which includes plans for an AI data center. Some residents are concerned about potential conflicts of interest involving County Mayor Sara Baxter, who received campaign donations from the project's developers. Mayor Baxter denies any wrongdoing and says she will not support the project if residents remain opposed after a town hall meeting to address their concerns.

Why it matters

The Project Tango development has sparked debate in the community over the environmental and quality-of-life impacts of a large-scale AI data center. The allegations of potential conflicts of interest add a political dimension to the controversy and raise questions about transparency and accountability in local government decision-making.

The details

Project Tango would convert an existing commercial property in western Palm Beach County into an AI data center and tech campus. Residents have raised concerns about the environmental impact, noise, and changes to the character of the area. Some residents, like Rachel Smith, are also concerned about $10,000 in campaign donations from the project's developer, PBA Holdings, to County Mayor Sara Baxter, as well as a $25,000 donation to Baxter's campaign from Related Southeast, an AI company. Mayor Baxter denies any wrongdoing and says she postponed the initial vote on the project to get more information for residents. She is now hosting a town hall to address concerns, and says she won't support the project if residents remain opposed.

  • In December 2025, Palm Beach County commissioners planned to vote on reworking the current plan for the Project Tango site.
  • The vote was postponed to April 2026 to give more time for commissioners and residents to understand the changes.
  • Mayor Baxter is planning a town hall on the project at the end of February 2026.

The players

Sara Baxter

The mayor of Palm Beach County who received campaign donations from developers involved in the Project Tango proposal.

Rachel Smith

A resident of western Palm Beach County who attended a recent community event to voice concerns about Project Tango, including the potential conflict of interest involving Mayor Baxter.

PBA Holdings

The company that owns the property where the Project Tango development would be located and donated $10,000 to Mayor Baxter's reelection campaign.

Related Southeast

The AI branch of Related Ross, owned by billionaire Stephen Ross, which donated $25,000 to Mayor Baxter's campaign, though they deny any connection to Project Tango.

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What they’re saying

“Nobody wants to live next to a data center”

— Rachel Smith, Resident (WPTV)

“They've never talked to me about it. They've never been approached about it. That has just been a rumor started for political purposes, trying to make me look bad.”

— Sara Baxter, Palm Beach County Mayor (WPTV)

“If there was any truth to that, I would have approved the project when it came to us the first time, instead of postponing it to get more information out.”

— Sara Baxter, Palm Beach County Mayor (WPTV)

What’s next

Mayor Baxter is hosting a town hall at the end of February 2026 to address residents' concerns about Project Tango. The county commissioners are expected to vote on the project again in April 2026 after gathering more information.

The takeaway

The controversy over Project Tango highlights the tensions that can arise when large-scale development projects are proposed in local communities. Residents' concerns about environmental impacts, quality of life, and potential conflicts of interest underscore the need for transparent decision-making and robust public engagement in the planning process.