Orange County supervisors move into closed session to interview county attorney candidates

An unidentified presiding speaker announced that the Orange County Board of Supervisors would hold a closed session to interview prospective candidates for the county attorney position, citing the statutory authority for such meetings.

"We have an agenda today for discussion consideration or interview of prospective candidates for appointment as county attorney according to section 2.2-3711(a)(1) of the Code of Virginia," the presiding speaker said.

The presiding speaker then asked for a motion to enter closed session. "We have a motion, from Supervisor Marshall," the speaker said; the transcript does not record who seconded the motion. The board proceeded with a voice vote. When asked for those in favor, attendees responded "Aye," and the presiding speaker announced the board was moving into closed session.

The transcript includes no candidate names, interview details, or any substantive discussion about applicants. The only recorded formal action in the public portion was the motion to enter a closed session under the exception in Virginia Code §2.2-3711(A)(1), which permits closed meetings for interviews of prospective candidates for public office or appointment.

No subsequent public votes or decisions about appointment were recorded in the available transcript. The meeting continued in closed session, and no further public commentary or timetable for a decision was provided in the public record excerpt.

The board’s use of Virginia Code §2.2-3711(A)(1) aligns with common practice for personnel interviews; however, the public record here is limited to the motion, the citation of the statute, and the voice vote to enter the closed session.