Citrus County directs staff to draft rule limiting county employees and elected officials from signing nondisclosure agreements

Facing repeated public concerns about nondisclosure agreements and transparency in development discussions, the Citrus County Board of County Commissioners directed staff July 14 to draft an administrative regulation restricting county employees and elected officials from executing nondisclosure agreements concerning development matters.

Commissioner Jeff Kennard introduced the agenda item. Public commenters asked that any restriction not be limited to data centers. After discussion and legal advice from County Attorney Denise A., commissioners broadened the directive so staff will prepare an AR covering county employees and elected officials (the county attorney advised administrative regulations do not reach constitutional officers such as the sheriff).

Commissioner Kennard said he had consulted with the county administrator and legal staff and that only limited county officials historically sign NDAs; other speakers urged even broader transparency. "I prefer not to sign anything personally myself either if I could avoid it," County Administrator Steve Howard said, while noting narrow circumstances may require confidentiality.

The board voted 5–0 to direct staff to prepare the administrative regulation; the item will return to the board for formal adoption once counsel and staff finalize proposed language.

The action responds to constituent concerns about data‑center negotiations and other private agreements and is intended to increase transparency for county dealings that involve public assets or policy decisions.