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Buncombe County elections board schedules attorney consultation and closed session on facilities planning
Summary
Board members agreed to meet with outside counsel to discuss a memorandum of understanding and facilities planning. The consultation will be a closed-session item at the next board meeting; the board asked members to come prepared and decided on an earlier meeting time for legal consultation.
The Buncombe County Board of Elections on Oct. 14 agreed to a closed‑session consultation with outside legal counsel to discuss facilities planning, the board’s memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the county and next steps for operations at 35 Woodfin and other sites.
Board chair Peggy told members the board’s attorney has proposed attending the board’s next meeting and holding a closed‑session consultation. Board members discussed options for scheduling that session and indicated a preference to meet at 2:30 p.m. (prior to the public meeting) to consult with counsel; one member asked for 5:30 p.m. availability as a fallback for members who cannot attend in person.
Why it matters: Board members said differing interpretations of the MOU and county‑board relationships have led to friction with county management, and board members want a coordinated legal approach before they escalate negotiations. Multiple members said they want a short written statement on objectives and clear shared understandings before meeting county management and county counsel.
Board direction and next steps
Members asked the attorney to advise on strategy for clarifying roles and obligations in the MOU, and asked staff to prepare a concise statement of the board’s objectives for the attorney to review. One board member who will be absent next week offered to provide a written position for the attorney to consider during the consultation.
Ending
The board set the next regular meeting for Oct. 21 at 3:30 p.m. at 35 Woodfin and scheduled the attorney consultation as a closed‑session item immediately before (2:30 p.m.) on that date. Members emphasized the need to be concise and prepared, noting the consultation will be billable legal time.
