Superior Mayor bans NDAs for public officials

SUPERIOR, Wis. — Superior Mayor Jim Payne has put a ban in place that will stop city officials in Superior from signing non-disclosure agreements.

The ban doubles as the city’s response to recent developments surrounding NDAs in the Twin Ports, as well as a records request by the press.

“Obviously it has been a major story that many public officials on the other side of the bridge have been signing non-disclosure agreements for large development projects, that is something we would never do,” said Paine.

“We would never sign an NDA for a large development project, we would never keep a secret from the public that is bad public policy, and it is now prohibited in the City of Superior.”

While certain pieces of personal information will continue to be unavailable in favor of privacy, the City of Superior reiterated that transparency with its citizens is a must.

“The public has access to this government, they have a right to know what we’re doing, they have a right to participate in the decision-making process, and that involves knowing as much as they possibly can,” said Paine.

“Confidentiality has some role in a planning and policy process, but it should be a small one and a temporary one, and it should always, always, always favor as much public access as possible.”

The mayor’s office has additionally stated that, to the best of its knowledge, no Superior city officials have signed any NDAs in the past regarding proposed developments or potential developers.