Resident urges stricter oversight of county nondisclosure agreements

Lee Muns, speaking on behalf of Citizens for Open Governance, asked the board to consider a resolution and an ordinance amendment that would require public oversight before county officials, employees, or appointees sign nondisclosure agreements related to county business. "The decision to enter into nondisclosure agreement should not be made by 1 commissioner, 1 employee, 1 appointee, or 1 department acting independently," Muns said, urging that NDAs be reviewed by the county attorney, placed on a published meeting agenda, and approved in open session.

Muns recommended a 30‑day review of existing NDAs and a 45‑day window for drafting code changes to establish who may sign NDAs, under what authority, how long confidentiality may last, and what records must be maintained. He emphasized that an NDA cannot override the Georgia Open Records Act or the Georgia Open Meetings Act. The board did not take immediate legislative action; Muns requested the county attorney and appropriate staff prepare draft ordinance language for board consideration.