Public commenter urges Kings County to review Avenel council contracts amid pending quo warranto case

Sheila Verdugo urged the Kings County Board of Supervisors to use the authority it does have to review Avenel’s upcoming city council agenda and related contracts while a quo warranto case is pending. "The 4 council members whose recall was certified continue to participate in city business while the quo warranto case is pending," Verdugo told the board during unscheduled public comment, and she asked the county and district attorney to "determine whether or not those proposed expenditures, contracts, ratifications, property negotiations, and other financial commitments raise concerns under government code section 36503.5."

Verdugo asked the board to refer the Aug. 13 Avenel agenda and supporting documents to county counsel, the district attorney and the attorneys representing Kings County in the pending litigation to see whether emergency judicial relief or another lawful method to preserve the status quo should be pursued. Chair acknowledged the request and the board recorded the comment into the public record; county counsel later listed multiple anticipated litigations and specifically noted City of Avenel v. County of Kings on the closed‑session agenda. The board did not take immediate public action on Verdugo’s request at the meeting; counsel advised the board that several items would be handled in closed session, and the board adjourned into closed session at the end of the agenda.