Buncombe elections board approves outside legal engagement; Brandon Freeman named primary counsel

The Buncombe County Board of Elections approved an engagement agreement with an outside law firm and signaled that Brandon Freeman will serve as the board’s primary counsel for the matter.

Board members debated contract terms and rates before the vote. Elections staff said the firm had quoted a primary rate of $3.50 per unit (the meeting record did not specify the billing unit). Staff clarified that paralegal rates apply for other tasks and that a $500 rate would only be used in specific circumstances for which the board would be notified in advance. The board discussed that Beau (surname not specified in the record) had reviewed the draft; board members emphasized that Brandon Freeman should be the county contact and primary attorney for Buncombe County’s representation. The board requested that the engagement explicitly confirm Freeman as the primary counsel and that any personnel changes at the firm be brought to the board’s attention so the board could revisit the engagement if necessary.

A board member moved to accept the proposal and sign the agreement; the motion was seconded and the board recorded an affirmative vote. The board chair indicated she would sign the agreement before the meeting adjourned and forward the file to the firm so staff could schedule a follow-up conference. Staff said it would ask the firm to review the county’s existing memorandum of understanding and related resolutions so the firm would understand the prior communication between the board and county management and advise on next steps.

Board members said they would also ask staff to serve as the conduit to county management and the outside counsel to keep communications coordinated and to produce a concise package that explains the board’s facility and operational needs to county commissioners and staff.