Abilene council recesses into executive session on economic development; reconvenes with no votes

The Abilene City Council recessed into an executive session at 8:35 a.m. under the Texas Open Meetings Act, section 551.087, to deliberate business prospects and economic development, the presiding official said on the record. The council reconvened to open session at 9:49 a.m., and the record states that no votes or actions were taken during the executive session.

The Open Meetings Act exemption cited — section 551.087 — allows governmental bodies to meet in closed session to discuss commercial or financial information related to a business prospect when public disclosure could harm the competitive position of the prospective business. The council’s stated purpose for the closed session was "deliberations about business prospects and economic development." The transcript does not disclose details discussed in executive session or identify the business prospects under discussion.

After reconvening, the presiding official closed the meeting at 9:49 a.m. The public record on the council’s meeting minutes and the transcript segment provided do not show any motions, votes or formal directives resulting from the executive session during that meeting.