David Higgins, chief of the Clayton Creek Fire Department, presented the department’s relief‑fund board-of‑trustees paperwork and asked the commissioners to accept the entity for official purposes. The board moved, seconded and approved the acceptance by voice vote (recorded 5–0).

Commissioners also discussed the county’s ongoing audit work of fire departments. County staff said auditors are performing a phased audit and that the second round of examination—requested by the board to dive deeper into financials—was delayed while auditors completed other counties’ regular audits and awaited federal guidance on grant audits. Staff estimated the second round would resume in February.

Separately, commissioners recounted a recent major mutual‑aid fire in Glade Creek requiring roughly 15–18 agencies to respond; speakers described significant water‑hauling operations and praised mutual‑aid cooperation, dispatchers and county responders.

At the end of regular business, the chair cited a statutory legal‑consultation exception and requested a closed session; the board moved to take a short break and enter closed session. The transcript records the statute cited verbally as a numeric reference by the chair.