09-06-2022 Closed Session Meeting Minutes BOCSeptember 6, 2022, Closed Session #1 Page 1 of 1
Person County Board of Commissioners
Minutes of a Closed Session
DATE: September 6, 2022
MEMBERS OF BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS PRESENT:
Chairman Powell,
Vice Chairman Sims,
Commissioner Puryear,
Commissioner Gentry, and
Commissioner Palmer
OTHERS PRESENT:
Interim County Manager, Ralph Clark,
Clerk to the Board, Brenda Reaves, and
County Attorney, Ellis Hankins
CLOSED SESSION #1
A motion was made by Vice Chairman Sims and carried 5-0 to enter into Closed Session
#1 at 8:26pm per General Statute 143-318.11(a)(6) for the purpose to consider the qualifications,
competence, performance, character, fitness, conditions of appointment, or conditions of initial
employment of an individual public officer or employee or prospective public officer or employee;
with the following individuals permitted to attend: Interim County Manager, Ralph Clark, Clerk to
the Board, Brenda Reaves, and County Attorney, Ellis Hankins.
Chairman Powell said a few minutes would be needed to transition to the Closed Session
#1.
Chairman Powell called the Closed Session #1 to order at 8:30pm. He indicated the
purpose of the Closed Session #1 was to discuss the process for the hiring of the new county
manager noting the Board’s obligation to keep information related to the process confidential as a
priority. Chairman Powell said there were concerns by commissioners that some comments posted
on social media related to the process and yielded to the county attorney to further address.
County Attorney, Ellis Hankins stated the concerns regarding comments posted on
FaceBook seemed to be saying they have access to confidential information. He reiterated that he
and the search consultant have told the Board on many occasions that it was of upmost importance
to keep all information related to this process strictly confidential. Mr. Hankins told the Board that
state law dictates what information related to personnel is public and confidential. For example,
the name of applicants is confidential by law and, if disclosed, it is a criminal misdemeanor.
Mr. Hankins further noted the Board’s Code of Ethics and the need to maintain the integrity
of the process. He said that commissioners are not able to discuss the process and encouraged them
to tell individuals that when asked.
A motion was made by Vice Chairman Sims and carried 5-0 to return to open session at
8:42pm