Henderson City Council appoints Hartzog Law Firm as city attorney; one member dissents

The Henderson City Council voted 5-1 on Nov. 5, 2025, to appoint the Hartzog Law Firm as the City Attorney after convening in closed session for personnel matters. Councilmember Sara M. Coffey moved the appointment, which Councilmember Tami Walker seconded; Councilmember Sam Seifert cast the lone no vote.

The council convened the special called meeting at 3:20 p.m. in the R. G. “Chick” Young, Jr. Council Chambers at the Municipal Building, 134 Rose Avenue. The minutes record that a quorum was present: Mayor Melissa Elliott presided, and Councilmembers Geraldine Champion, Sara M. Coffey, Sam Seifert, Michael Venable, Ola Thorpe-Cooper and Tami Walker were present. Councilmembers Lamont Noel and Garry Daeke were absent. City Manager Paylor Spruill, City Clerk Tracey Kimbrell and Police Chief Marcus Barrow were listed as staff present.

Before the appointment vote, Councilmember Geraldine Champion moved that the council convene in closed session pursuant to G.S. § 143-318.11(a)(6) for personnel matters; Councilmember Sara M. Coffey seconded and the motion was recorded as unanimously approved. The minutes do not record the substance of the closed session discussion or provide a public explanation for the selection.

After returning to open session, the council approved the appointment of the Hartzog Law Firm as City Attorney. The minutes record the roll call for that motion as yes votes from Champion, Coffey, Venable, Thorpe-Cooper and Walker; a no vote from Seifert; and absences by Noel and Daeke.

Councilmember Tami Walker later moved to adjourn; Councilmember Sara M. Coffey seconded and the motion was recorded as unanimously approved. The meeting adjourned at 3:55 p.m.

The minutes were attested by Mayor Melissa Elliott and City Clerk Tracey Kimbrell.