Data center project leads to recall effort in Sand Springs

  • April 3, 2026

Once divided, Sand Springs residents band together to demand recall of elected officials

The opposition to a proposed data center in Sand Springs has been so fierce it now has led to a recall petition drive against three members of the Sand Springs city council.

At last word, petitioners had gathered more than 1,600 signatures to hold a vote for the removal of Cody Worrell of Ward 1, Matt Barnett of Ward 2 and Mike Burdge of Ward 3. The petitions for the recall election were delivered this week as opponents continued their fight against Project Spring, the data center project.

What sparked the drive was the City Council’s 6-1 vote in February to rezone 827 acres and allow construction of the data center. The three city council members targeted in the recall drive were among those who voted to rezone the land owned by the family of Alan Ringle. Burdge told NBC News he supports the data center because it will bring more industry and jobs to the town of 20,000.

The Tulsa Flyer reports that Kyle Schmidt, president of the board of directors for the Protect Sand Springs Alliance, organized the recall.

“I would like to see change,” Schmidt said. “Right now I do think the deck is stacked against the citizens.”

Kyle Schmidt of the Protect Sand Springs Alliance stands in front of the city clerk's window March 31, 2026, moments before delivering signatures from thousands of residents demanding a recall of Sand Springs elected officials.
Kyle Schmidt of the Protect Sand Springs Alliance stands in front of the city clerk’s window March 31, 2026, moments before delivering signatures from thousands of residents demanding a recall of Sand Springs elected officials. Credit: Phillip Jackson / Tulsa Flyer

 

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Jerry Bohnen