Oshkosh council candidates debate NDAs, surveillance and growth ahead of Feb. 17 primary

Oshkosh — Eight candidates seeking three seats on the Oshkosh City Council outlined sharply different approaches to transparency, public‑safety technology and local growth at a League of Women Voters forum that aired on Oshkosh Media ahead of the Feb. 17 primary.

The forum, moderated by Margie Davie, gave each candidate set time to present opening remarks and answer identical questions on topics ranging from nondisclosure agreements in economic development to the city’s contract for Flock automatic license‑plate readers and a vehicle registration fee used to fund roads.

Why it matters: Voters will choose three council members in the primary, and the forum highlighted where the field splits on oversight of city decisions, data privacy and priorities for downtown redevelopment — issues that affect municipal spending, policing practices and housing policy.

On transparency and nondisclosure agreements, incumbent Jacob Amos said the public deserves openness. "I feel as though that, non disclosure shouldn't be something that's a part of, local government. I think that the residents of Oshkosh should always know what's going on up here, on the dais," he said, adding he will keep using social‑media recaps and community meetings to explain council business.

Several other candidates urged limits on NDAs but acknowledged legal exceptions for personnel or contract negotiations. Paul Eslinger said executive sessions can be appropriate depending on negotiation details and that officials should later explain the rationale to the public. Dan Lenz said he would "advise against" using NDAs for commercial deals that involve taxpayers' money, while Logan Youngbacher said transparency also means explaining the reasoning behind votes so residents can engage.

The forum turned to surveillance after panelists were told the Oshkosh Police Department operates 26 Flock automatic license‑plate readers. Eslinger described the tool’s role in locating stolen vehicles but warned against expanding uses that could substitute automated enforcement for officers. Logan Youngbacher urged careful safeguards for data security and ongoing evaluation of whether the system is worth its costs and risks.

Alec Lefebvre voiced the strongest privacy concern: "I would even go as far as to say we should, end our contract with Flock altogether, that we should stop using these cameras," he said, citing reports about data security and possible federal access to vendor data.

On managing growth and the city’s strategic plan, candidates most often favored directing development inward rather than encouraging sprawl. Several suggested revising zoning and streamlining permitting to encourage downtown infill, while Dan Lenz pushed for a resident‑driven strategic plan updated more frequently. Candidates also flagged South Main Street redevelopment as a priority area where parking, infrastructure, historic preservation and environmental cleanup are key challenges.

Answers on homelessness diverged. Alec Lefebvre supported safe overnight parking programs paired with services. Logan Youngbacher said he favors "housing‑first" prevention and better coordination of housing, social services and health care. Eslinger and Lenz urged stronger enforcement of existing ordinances and greater reliance on local nonprofits and shelters.

The vehicle registration fee adopted two years earlier to help fund special assessments drew mixed reviews. Several candidates said the fee is working as intended to spread costs more equitably; Eslinger sharply criticized the policy as unfair to local drivers and called for shifting the burden to users coming from outside the city.

The forum closed with one‑minute statements and practical reminders: voters may select three candidates on Feb. 17 and Oshkosh residents have early‑voting opportunities in the days immediately following the program. The League said the forum recording will be available on Oshkosh Media and vote411.org.

No formal actions or votes were taken at the forum; the event was a public information forum to help voters compare candidates.

— Reporting by the League of Women Voters forum coverage; quotes from candidates at the Feb. 17 primary forum.