Shenandoah County supervisors enter closed session to discuss possible EDA property acquisition

Shenandoah County's Board of Supervisors voted unanimously May 20 to enter a closed session to discuss a possible acquisition of real property by the county's Economic Development Authority (EDA).

Supervisor Kyle Gutshall moved “to enter into closed session in accordance with Code of Virginia Section 2.2-3711(A)(3) to discuss or consider the acquisition of real property for a public purpose, where discussion in an open meeting would adversely affect the bargaining position or negotiating strategy of the public body,” and Supervisor Steve Baker seconded the motion. The motion appears in the meeting minutes and was approved by voice vote.

The record also shows the board invoked Code of Virginia Section 2.2-3711(A)(6) to consider the investment of public funds where competition or bargaining is involved; the stated subject was the potential purchase of real property. The minutes do not disclose the location, price, seller, or any contractual terms discussed during the closed session.

The board reconvened into open session at 4:24 p.m., and County Administrator Evan Vass read the statutory certification required after a closed meeting. Vass read that, to the best of each member’s knowledge, “only public business matters lawfully exempted from open meeting requirements under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act and only such public business matters as were identified in the motion by which the closed meeting was convened were heard, discussed or considered.” The board unanimously affirmed the certification. The meeting was adjourned at 4:27 p.m.

No formal purchase, vote authorizing acquisition, or public disclosure of terms appears in the minutes. The minutes list attendance and the motions but do not record follow-up assignments, next steps, or a timeline for any reported acquisition.