06-05-2023 Closed Session #2 Meeting Minutes BOC- RedactedJune 5, 2023, Closed Session #2 Page 1 of 1
Person County Board of Commissioners
Minutes of a Closed Session
DATE: June 5, 2023
MEMBERS OF BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS PRESENT:
Chairman Powell,
Vice Chairman Sims,
Commissioner Puryear,
Commissioner Palmer, and
Commissioner Thomas
OTHERS PRESENT:
County Manager Katherine Cathey,
Clerk to the Board Brenda Reaves, and
County Attorney Ellis Hankins
CLOSED SESSION #2
A motion was made by Vice Chairman Sims and carried 5-0 to enter into Closed Session
#2 at 8:41pm per General Statute 143-318.11(a)(3) for the purpose to consult with the county
attorney in order to preserve the attorney-client privilege with the following individuals permitted
to attend: County Attorney Ellis Hankins, County Manager Katherine Cathey, and Clerk to the
Board Brenda Reaves.
Closed Session #2 was called to order at 8:41pm. County Attorney Ellis Hankins updated
the Board on the following three lawsuits involving Person County:
1)Person County Inspections Department has been listed as a defendant in a case where the
Plaintiff Calfee versus Traditional Southern and Person County Inspections Department
alleges liability with an addition to an existing home whereby the contractor was negligent.
Person County’s insurance has retained Womble Bond Dickinson in Winston-Salem, who
has filed an answer denying liability with defenses seeking a judge to dismiss Person
County Inspections Department from the lawsuit.
3)A former employee, John Gill, who is no longer employed with Person County’s Detention
Office, has been named a criminal defendant. Mr. Hankins stated the county’s insurance
carrier has engaged Womble Bond Dickinson to provide defense on behalf of Mr. Gill.
A motion was made by Commissioner Puryear and carried 5-0 to return to open session
at 8:48pm.