County attorney requests closed 'shade' meeting next week to discuss settlement strategy in pending litigation

The county attorney (unnamed in the transcript) told commissioners staff had provided confidential memos to each commissioner individually and requested a legally noticed shade meeting to discuss settlement potential and litigation expenditures related to pending litigation described under item 37. The attorney said staff had reserved a slot next Tuesday at 1 p.m. (after the regular meeting) and will post the notice if the commission gives consensus.

The attorney also notified the board of a petition filed by the Town of Belleair Shore to vacate the erosion control line in its municipal boundaries; the matter is noticed before the Department of Environmental Protection as case OGC26-1668 and staff recommended the county seek to intervene. The attorney said the petition had been received late and that staff would post the petition under the county attorney reports portion of the agenda for public availability.

The chair and other commissioners acknowledged the scheduling and asked staff to ensure strict compliance with statutory requirements for shade meetings. No substance of the litigation or settlement positions was discussed in the open session; the attorney said the shade meeting would follow the board's regular meeting and that staff will coordinate notices and communications.