Martin County board recesses public hearing after notice error, meets in closed session on Project Rudell

The Martin County Board of Commissioners recessed a public hearing on a proposed economic development agreement after staff found an error in the meeting advertisement and then met in closed session to discuss Project Rudell.

County Manager Drew Batts told the board the public hearing notice incorrectly listed the hearing as Thursday, April 8, 2026, rather than the date on which the special session was being held. After that disclosure, the board voted to recess the hearing to the regular meeting scheduled for April 9, 2026. The motion to recess was made by Commissioner Jeremiah Taylor, seconded by Commissioner Ronnie Smith and carried unanimously (5-0).

The hearing had been opened at 6:03 p.m. on April 8 by a motion from Vice Chairman David "Skip" Gurganus, seconded by Commissioner Dempsey Bond Jr. The hearing concerned a proposed economic development agreement among GVW Ruddell Management, the Martin County Economic Development Corporation and Martin County; no public testimony was recorded in the minutes before the recess.

At 6:05 p.m. the board voted to enter a closed session under N.C.G.S. § 143-318.11(a)(4) to discuss industry and economic development matters related to Project Rudell. Commissioner Ronnie Smith made the motion, Commissioner Jeremiah Taylor seconded, and the motion carried unanimously (5-0). The board exited closed session at 6:38 p.m.; the minutes record that no public action from the closed session was disclosed.

The special session concluded with a unanimous vote to adjourn at 6:38 p.m. The public hearing on the proposed economic development agreement was recessed to April 9, 2026; further details about Project Rudell were not released in the meeting minutes.