Columbus County commissioners recess into closed session citing attorney–client privilege

The Columbus County Board of Commissioners recessed its public meeting and entered a closed session after a motion citing North Carolina General Statute 143‑318.11 for attorney–client privilege was made and seconded, the presiding officer said.

The motion was made by Chris Smith and seconded by Commissioner Barbara Featherson. The presiding officer asked, “Do I hear a motion?” and then announced a motion and called for the voice vote; the meeting record contains no roll call or recorded vote tally and the board moved into closed session shortly afterward.

The statute cited by the board—North Carolina General Statute 143‑318.11—authorizes a public body to meet in closed session to preserve the attorney–client privilege. The transcript of the meeting contains a mis-transcription of the statutory citation; the correct statute number is 143‑318.11, which explicitly covers attorney–client privileged communications. The public portion of the meeting did not include further details about the subject of the closed session.

The presiding officer initiated the motion and asked for a second; the transcript records the motion maker as Chris Smith and the second as Commissioner Barbara Featherson. The presiding officer then called for “All in favor” and, after the affirmative response, directed the body into closed session. The public transcript does not specify how many members voted in favor, whether any opposed or abstained, or any subsequent actions taken in closed session.

No additional information about the reason for the closed session or any follow-up timeline was provided in the public record. The meeting resumed public business only after the closed session concluded, but the public transcript does not include a description of any outcomes from the closed session.