Residents press commissioners to release closed‑session records; county attorney apologizes and outlines reforms

Several public commenters used the meeting's public-comment period to press the county to release closed‑session tapes and transcripts and to object to retroactive public hearings on property sales and leases. One commenter (speaker 13) accused the commission of "running public notices saying that 12 pieces of property that were either sold by the county or leased... needed a public hearing" and urged the board to release the records of the meetings where the transactions were actually discussed.

Ellen McDaniel Weisler told the board officials "work for us" and said the county had an obligation to provide records and accountability; she urged commissioners to either release closed-session records or not seek reelection. The comments cited Maryland General Provisions (3‑306(c)) and demanded review and release of records when secrecy is no longer justified.

County Attorney Beeman responded in closing remarks by acknowledging that, in prior matters, procedures fell short. He apologized for past failures and described corrective measures including updated closed‑session procedures, revised documentation practices, enhanced internal review and steps to ratify prior transactions where process technicalities required it. The board also reported decisions from the Open Meetings Compliance Board finding no violations in some complaints and finding violations in other matters; Beeman said the county has adopted procedural safeguards to ensure compliance going forward.

Next steps: the county attorney said staff will continue to review records, send notices where required, and bring properly advertised transactions back to the board for ratification or re‑advertisement. Public speakers urged the immediate release of closed‑session materials; the board indicated an ongoing review process and legal consultation.