By Delayna Earley
The Island News
Beaufort County Council has chosen to hire Haynsworth, Sinkler and Boyd as the law firm to handle the reviews and audits previously passed by Council following multiple Special Called Meetings held on Monday, August 28.
“Every County Council member is focused on gathering all the necessary information and working together to make the most informed decisions to correct these problems, strengthen County policies and move forward,” said Chairman Joseph Passement in a press release. “It will take time, but we will make it happen.”
It is unclear how many law firms applied for the job, but the decision ultimately came down to two firms referred to by council for most of the day as “Firm A” and “Firm B”.
The name of the firm that Council unanimously chose was revealed following the final vote during the third Special Called Council meeting on Monday.
According to their website, the firm has offices in Charleston, Columbia, Florence, Greenville and Raleigh, N.C., and their “lawyers have years of experience in assisting state and local governments to meet the needs of their constituents, whether it involves structuring complex public finance and inter-governmental agreements, drafting legislation, providing procurement advice or litigating about the ever-changing role of local government.”
Early in the day, the decision was not unanimous as to which firm each of the council members thought was best.
The majority expressed that they thought “Firm B” was the best option.
During the Special Called Meeting of the Finance, Administration and Economic Development Committee, the committee voted for action and approved the decision unanimously.
That is when the action was forwarded back to council for the final vote.
Council also voted unanimously to authorize $350,000 to be added to Council’s budget to cover fees.
According to a press release from Beaufort County, billing will be conducted monthly and will be reviewed and approved by the Finance, Administration and Economic Development Committee.
“This was voted on in title only – if adjustments need to be made to cover costs or reduce fees, the committee will act accordingly,” the statement continued.
During a Special Called Council Meeting on July 24, council members passed four motions in addition to putting former County Administrator Eric Greenway on paid administrative leave – Greenway was later terminated for cause.
Council requested to have a thorough review of all purchases that have been made since January 1, 2023, to confirm that the purchases comply with the County’s procurement codes, identify any that do not comply and report back to Council.
They also requested a review of all professional services that have occurred since January 1, 2023, to confirm that all contracts comply with the County’s procurement codes.
Council voted to conduct a thorough review of Beaufort County’s Procurement Code and an audit of the P-Card system for the fiscal years 2019-2023.
Council also voted on and approved the employment agreement for interim County Administrator John Robinson without objection.
Delayna Earley lives in Beaufort with her husband, two children and Jack Russell. She formerly worked as a photojournalist for The Island Packet/The Beaufort Gazette, as well as newspapers in Indiana and Virginia. She joined The Island News in 2022. She can be reached at delayna.theislandnews@gmail.com.
