Chair moves council into executive session to receive legal advice on county matters

The Beaufort County caucus voted Monday to enter an executive session to receive legal advice on three matters, the chair said.

The chair opened the meeting at 5 p.m., led the Pledge of Allegiance and confirmed a full council was present with one member joining virtually. The chair asked Miss Brock to confirm compliance with the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act; Brock replied that the meeting was in compliance.

The chair then asked for and recorded approval of the meeting agenda. According to the meeting record, Ms. Brown made the motion to approve the agenda and Mr. Cunningham seconded; the chair called for a voice vote and members answered “Aye.”

The chair read the statutory bases cited for a closed session under the South Carolina Code, identifying three items for legal advice: a Beaufort County management letter; legal matters described as the "Beaufort County workplace environment"; and a Beaufort County whistleblower complaint related to fund allocations. The chair said the executive session would be held "under South Carolina code section 30-4-70(a)(2)" and also referenced section 30-4-78(2) as the authority to receive legal advice in these matters.

A motion to go into executive session on those topics was made and seconded; the meeting record states Ms. Brown moved the motion and Mr. Cunningham seconded. The chair asked members to raise their hands in favor, and the motion carried by the members present.

After the closed session, the chair announced there were no items coming out of executive session, closed the executive session and directed a five-minute break.

The caucus record does not specify any formal outcomes beyond the two votes recorded on the agenda and to enter executive session, and it does not list public actions, settlements, or next steps arising from the closed meeting.