Beaufort County Council waives HSB conflict and authorizes settlement in Carroll zoning appeal

Beaufort County Council on Aug. 10 approved two actions coming out of an executive session: a limited waiver of a potential conflict for the HSB law firm related to the county's banking contracts, and authorization for the county attorney to negotiate and finalize a settlement in the Evan Carroll appeal of a zoning board decision.

A council member moved the waiver to allow the administrator to execute all legal documents "to waive any potential conflict of interest the HSB law firm may have in the representation of Beaufort County and the Beaufort County treasurer's office as it relates to Beaufort County's various banking contracts," and the motion passed with a single nay. The Carroll motion — to authorize the county attorney to negotiate settlement terms and for the administrator or designee to execute necessary documents to effectuate dismissal of the appeal — passed on a roll-call vote, 7–3. Council discussion showed at least one member wanted a full roll call before the Carroll vote; others urged moving ahead to resolve the litigation.

These actions were presented by council after the executive-session discussion and recorded as formal votes in open session. The minutes show the motions and the vote tallies as the official outcomes; staff said documents would be executed consistent with the council's authorization.