Commissioners propose policy on employee NDAs and consider hiring counsel for data-center and annexation work

At the Butler County Board of Commissioners meeting, Commissioner Rogers asked the board to prepare a resolution that would require county employees to submit any nondisclosure agreement (NDA) from outside companies to county administration and the prosecutor’s office before signing.

"If they're asked to sign a nondisclosure agreement, the first thing they do is send it to us," Commissioner Rogers said, urging a formal policy that would have the prosecutor and county administration decide how such agreements should be handled in order to protect employees and the county’s interests.

Rogers also recommended the county retain outside counsel with specific experience in data-center projects and annexation law to help the county and its townships negotiate and evaluate proposed agreements and annexation terms. He said much of the information around pending data-center proposals arrived recently and that legal expertise would help ensure townships and residents are treated fairly.

County Administrator Judy Boiko said she has begun outreach to municipal counterparts and the county’s economic development and finance authority leadership and suggested identifying a single commissioner to represent the board in certain intergovernmental discussions to comply with Ohio’s Sunshine Law.

Commissioner Dixon and others expressed support for taking the steps publicly. The board did not take immediate action but instructed staff to return with a draft resolution and recommendations for counsel selection at a future meeting.