Commissioner Culbertson moves board into closed executive session to consult attorneys

Commissioner Jeff Culbertson moved that the board recess into a closed executive meeting "to consult with our attorneys and discuss confidential matters related to the legal interests of the county," invoking the KSA for attorney-client privilege. The motion was seconded and approved by voice vote, and the board planned to resume the open meeting at 10:30 a.m.

The item was presented after the meeting was called back into session and the chair recognized Culbertson to make the motion. A county official read who would attend the executive meeting: Commissioners Mike Smith, Jeff Culbertson, Vanessa Reed, Willie Dab and Mike Stephens; County Attorney Mark Lathery; County Counselor Misty Brown; and Assistant County Counselor Ann Marie Castro.

The chair asked whether there was any discussion; none was offered. When the chair called the vote and addressed "Mr. Reed," three participants responded "Aye" by voice. The transcript records the vocal affirmative responses but does not name each individual voter beyond the call to vote, so the roll-call identities for each "Aye" were not specified in the record.

The motion directed the board to consult with legal counsel on matters the county described as confidential and protected by attorney-client privilege under the KSA. No substantive details of the legal matters were discussed on the public record before the board recessed. The meeting was recessed to the executive session as moved and the board stated it would return to open session at 10:30 a.m.