Supervisors adopt changes tightening closed‑session confidentiality despite dissent

The Surry County Board of Supervisors voted to adopt amendments to the county code of ethics focused on closed‑session confidentiality and the handling of privileged information.

County Attorney Miss Perkins told the board the amendments are intended to set clearer expectations for discussions held in closed session and to safeguard information that is legally exempt from open‑meeting requirements. "Closed session matters are... confidential," Perkins said, and she reiterated that the proposed language does not expand the legal categories available for closed session — those remain defined by the Code of Virginia. Perkins added that any public action arising from closed‑session discussions must be taken in open session by a formal vote.

Supervisor Drewry strongly criticized parts of the proposed language as overly broad and potentially punitive, saying the changes "feel punitive and retaliatory" and warning that a three‑member majority could be used to silence a colleague; she said she would consider supporting the policy only if a four‑to‑one supermajority standard were required to penalize a member. Other supervisors supported the need for clarity about confidentiality and the board moved forward. Supervisor Hardy made the motion to approve the amendment; the motion was seconded and carried, with one recorded "No." The board did not provide a full roll‑call tally in the meeting transcript.

The county attorney and staff said the language is intended to protect legally confidential matters and to require transparency when actions must be taken publicly. Board members asked for additional review of broader code revisions at a later date.