Spokane County commissioners approve consent items and enter three executive sessions on potential litigation

The Spokane County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved agenda items 4a through 4c on July 15 and later announced three executive sessions to discuss potential litigation. A commissioner moved to approve items 4a–4c “as they appear on today's agenda.” A second was heard and the motion passed unanimously; the record shows the board members present voted “aye.” Later in the meeting the chair announced three executive sessions: the first for 15 minutes with County CEO Scott Simmons and a list of staff and officials; the second for 10 minutes with Scott Simmons, Devin Curta and Jeff McMorris; and the third for 15 minutes again with Scott Simmons, Devin Curta and Jeff McMorris. The chair stated no action would be taken in any of the sessions and set a total executive session length of 40 minutes. Why it matters: the unanimous approval concluded routine consent business; the executive session announcements indicate the board will receive confidential legal briefings about potential litigation but will not act publicly during those closed sessions. The board adjourned after the executive sessions; no further public actions were taken before adjournment.