A public commenter raised conflict-of-interest concerns at the Rockingham County Board of Commissioners meeting Dec. 1, alleging a county commissioner benefited from a $3,000,000 project at Shiloh Airport. The accused commissioner denied the allegation and emphasized that school and airport boards operate independently of the county commission.

Doug Ozzley, who identified himself as living at 1790 Flat Rock Road in Rainsville, told the board his public-records requests show "one of our commissioners, mister Hall, had done a project for Shiloh Airport totaling $3,000,000." He said the records suggested the commissioner had not filed required vendor paperwork with the county and cited a statute he said was intended to prevent public officials from profiting from contracts.

Commissioner Hall responded directly, calling the allegation inappropriate and asserting that the airport and school boards are independent entities that make their own contracting decisions. "Neither one of these boards report to these commissioners," Hall said, urging the public not to conflate those boards with county contracting authority.

The board did not take a formal investigatory vote on the allegation during the public-comment period. Later in the meeting, commissioners discussed an off-the-books sheriff's bank account that had been discovered earlier in the year; some members said requested records had not been provided. After a closed session, the board voted to enter an agreement with outside counsel (Ed Powell of Melvin & Powell) to represent or advise on matters involving the sheriff because of potential conflicts. Commissioner Berger made the motion to engage outside counsel, which carried.

The transcript records the allegation and the commissioner's denial on the public-record audio; the board's later action to retain outside counsel was framed as a response to separate sheriff-related concerns that had emerged in public meetings and press statements. The board said it will continue to seek records and legal guidance as appropriate.

No formal ethics or criminal findings were made on the record during the meeting.