Durham commissioners move to closed session to consult on personnel and national opioid litigation

The Durham County Board of Commissioners moved into closed session on Aug. 26 to consider personnel matters and to consult with legal counsel on national opioid litigation. Moderator called for the motion and Commissioner Howerton moved to enter closed session; the motion was seconded by Vice Chair Burns and the board reported they were "in closed session 4 to 0."

The stated reasons for the first closed session included "the qualifications, competence, performance, character fitness, conditions of appointment, or conditions of initial appointment of an individual public officer or employee" and to "hear or investigate a complaint, charge, or grievance" under the statutory language read aloud during the meeting. Later in the agenda the board also specifically cited a consultation with counsel to "discuss the national opioid litigation," invoking the attorney-client privilege language included in the statute.

After meeting in closed session, the board reported that "no action was taken" but that "action was given to staff," indicating staff received direction for follow-up rather than a formal board vote or mandate. The session closed with a motion to adjourn moved by Commissioner Howerton and seconded by Commissioner Carter.

The transcript records the board’s formal motions and the statutory bases recited during the meeting. The board did not announce a public vote on any of the issues discussed in closed session.