South Bend Mayor Banned Data Center NDAs
Mayor James Mueller issued an executive order after city staff signed nondisclosure agreements with Amazon.
Updated on Sept. 20, 2026 in Data Centers
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South Bend Mayor James Mueller signed an executive order prohibiting city employees from entering into nondisclosure agreements regarding data centers. The order follows public scrutiny over agreements signed by the city engineer and public works director with Amazon in 2023.
Why it matters
The directive aims to increase transparency following concerns about Amazon data center wastewater infrastructure. The mayor maintains that the order addresses staff conduct, while he also signaled opposition to a parallel legislative effort.
The controversy stems from NDAs signed by the South Bend public works director and city engineer in 2023. These agreements restricted staff from disclosing details about Amazon-related data center infrastructure and wastewater management.
The players
James Mueller
James Mueller is the current Mayor of South Bend, Indiana.
Amazon
Amazon is a global technology corporation that maintains extensive data center infrastructure.
The details
City council members have introduced a separate bill that would codify a ban on such municipal agreements. Mayor Mueller has stated he will veto that legislative proposal, citing concerns regarding the separation of powers between the executive and legislative branches.
Timeline
In 2023, the public works director and city engineer signed NDAs with Amazon.
On September 16, 2026, the mayor issued the executive order.
On September 28, 2026, the city council is scheduled to hold the first reading of the bill.
The Tech Race
The controversy reflects a growing national tension where local municipalities must balance competitive corporate secrecy requirements against public demands for transparent infrastructure oversight. This friction highlights a broader shift as cities scramble to manage the immense utility and water requirements of modern, large-scale data center facilities.
Residents seeking information on infrastructure projects like wastewater management may experience greater clarity regarding local government dealings with tech firms. Conversely, the dispute creates uncertainty about how the city will negotiate future utility agreements with large technology corporations.
The takeaway
Transparency remains a central point of contention as municipalities attempt to balance development incentives with public accountability. Future policy discussions will likely hinge on whether executive orders or legislative acts hold more authority in governing staff conduct.
What happens next
The South Bend city council is scheduled to conduct the first reading of the bill regarding the nondisclosure agreement ban on September 28, 2026.
Further reading
For more information on infrastructure, visit the Data Centers section of our site.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Louisville Public Media.
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Should city staff be allowed to sign non-disclosure agreements with private companies?
