Columbus County commissioners end closed session, approve general count; attorney says eight matters discussed with no board action

The Columbus County Board of Commissioners ended a closed session and voted to return to open meeting, then approved the general count, the board said.

The county attorney told the board that "there were 8 matters encompassing attorney client privilege, economic development, and personnel discussed in closed session. No action taken by the board." The attorney’s statement was read aloud immediately after the board returned to open session.

The procedural motion to exit closed session and reconvene in regular session was moved by Commissioner Floyd and seconded by Commissioner Watts; the chair called for the vote and members answered "Aye." After the attorney’s summary, Commissioner Byrd moved to approve the general count; Commissioner Floyd seconded. The chair again called for the vote and the motion passed.

Minutes show the board then recessed for about five minutes and planned to return at approximately 6:30 p.m.

The transcript does not define the phrase "general count," and no additional details were provided in open session about the eight closed-session matters or any planned follow-up. The county attorney explicitly said the board took no action on those closed-session items while meeting in private.

No statutes, ordinances or other legal citations were referenced on the record when the attorney summarized the closed session. The meeting record contains no roll-call vote tallies by name for the motions beyond the chair asking "All in favor? Aye."