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Washburn residents urge Bayfield County to bar NDAs, demand public votes on AI data-center projects
Summary
Three speakers from Washburn urged supervisors to scrutinize any AI data center proposals and to consider an ordinance banning nondisclosure agreements and requiring public votes on major projects; county staff said public comment is for comment only and no board action was taken at the meeting.
During public comment at the May 26 Bayfield County Board meeting, three residents from the City of Washburn raised concerns about potential AI data center development in the county and asked the board to put limits on nondisclosure agreements (NDAs) for large projects.
Brian Jacobson and John Hopkins expressed concern about AI data center development in Bayfield County. Bill Strips asked the board to adopt an ordinance that would outlaw nondisclosure agreements and require public votes for projects such as an AI data center. The minutes record: "Bill Strips–City of Washburn wants an ordinance that outlaws non-disclosure agreements and requires public votes for projects such as the development of an AI data center in Bayfield County."
County Administrator Mark Abeles-Allison reminded the audience that public comment is for comments only and that county staff and board members do not answer questions during the public-comment period; he said he would follow up with commenters by phone. There was no formal county action or ordinance introduced during the meeting related to AI data centers.
What’s next: The comments were recorded in the minutes; any policy response would require board referral, ordinance drafting and a future vote.
