October 5, 2023 Special Calll Meeting  The Martin County Board of Commissioners met in a Special Called meeting to discuss Closed Session matters, on Thursday, October 5, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. in the Commissioners' Board Room oft the Martin County Governmental Center, 305 East Main Street, Wiliamston, North Carolina.  ASSEMBLY  Those attending the meeting were Chairman Ronnie Smith, Vice Chairman Dempsey Bond, Jr., Commissioner Joe R. Ayers, Commissioner Emily Biggs, Commissioner David "Skip" Gurganus, County Manager U. James Bennett, County Attorney Benjamin Eisner, County Clerk Julia S. Chairman Smith called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m. Commissioner Biggs led the Pledge of  Rease, and Finance Officer Cindy Ange.  Allegiance and Commissioner Gurganus provided the invocation.  AGENDA APPROVAL  Chairman Smith asked that a Public Record Discussion was added tot the agenda in Open Session. Vice Chairman Bond Jr. made the Motion to. Approve the agenda with the addition of the Public Records Discussion, with a Second by Commissioner Gurganus. Motion CLOSED ESSIONS)-IN.CGS. 143-318.110)3,Aorney-Client Privilege and 2. Around 6:04 p.m., Commissioner Gurganus made the Motion to enter Closed Sessions pursuant of NC G.S. $143-318.11(a) (3) Attorney-Client and NC G.S. $143-318.11(a) (5) Real Property Pur.haseComracylees, with a Second by Vice Chairman Bond Jr. The motion was Carried At7:20p.m.. Vice Chairman Bond Jr. made the Motion to Exit Closed Session(s) 1. N.C.G.S. 143-318.11(0)0)Attomey-Client Privilege and 2.N.C.G.S. 143-318.118X5Real Property PurchaseComractlceases , with a Second by Commissioner Biggs. Motion was Carried  was Carried unanimously.  N.C.G.S. $143-318.110X5Real Property Purchase/Contracts/Leases  unanimously.  unanimously. OPEN SESSION  Public Record Requests - (Added during Agenda Approval)  County Attorney Benjamin Eisner updated the Board and audience about the Public Record Requests. County Attorney Eisner reported that the staff were receiving multiple public record requests on a steadily basis. It was reported that if the record request could be processed and completed quickly, they were completed and: returned to the person who made the request. County    Attorney Eisner stated that if there were: record requests - requesting al lengthy amount ofrecords, iti may take more time to be completed. These record requests were reportedly being staffed with County Attorney Eisner and the responsible department head to ensure that the logistics of the lengthy requests were worked out and to get an idea ofhow long the request would take. Chairman Smith asked that a letter be sent to any person requesting a lengthy records request, stating how long it would take to complete the request. County Attorney Benjamin Eisner agreed and stated that there would be contact made with individuals who requested records to keep them abreast of aj possible completion date, logistics ofproviding the record request, and updates. Commissioner Gurganus asked ifhis understanding was correct that ofe everything being requested, iflegal tol be distributed; would be worked on with some things being faster than others, the people completing the record request had jobs to do as well in keeping the County running, but overall it was being handled as fast as possible? County Attorney Eisner agreed. Commissioner Gurganus stated that a little patience was needed to be exercised due to the staff conducting jobs within the  County and the responsibility of! providing record requests. Interim County Manager (Closed Session Discussion)  Chairman Smith reported that there was a closed session discussion regarding the process of Human Resources Director Donna Zube informed the audience that she would begin contacting the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners (NCACC), the League of Government Municipalities (LGC), the School of Government (SOG) = Chapel Hill, and in house applications in search for an Interim County Manager. HR Director Zube stated that the applicants would be required to send applications and resumes to her directly and that no one else would have these documents unless all commissioners had all ofthese documents at one time. From there, the Board would review the applications and resumes with hopes that an Interim County Manager would be  looking for an Interim County Manager.  chosen before the end ofthe month.  There were no further comments and or questions.  ADJOURNMENT  With no: further business to discuss, at' 7:22 p.m., Commissioner Gurganus Motioned toa adjourn and Commissioner Biggs Seconded the motion. The Board manimesbdppreved    Ronnie Smith, Chairman  5  Martin Courty Board of Commissioners  Ba Julia S. Rease Clerk to the Board  ga