Charlotte Board Holds Questionable Closed Session And Called Meeting

Following the November meeting the Charlotte County Board of Supervisors went into closed session to discuss “ personnel issues.”

The code of Virginia states, Closed sessions can only be held “when privacy concerns for specific identifiable persons are at issue.” “It is not intended to conceal … meetings whose subject affects a group of employees.”

On Tuesday, November 18 the Board held an emergency called meeting to vote on an issue discussed in the closed session. The meeting concerned recent complaints by some county employees regarding pay raises mandated by and paid by the State for some county employees.

The emergency meeting was also a questionable meeting as special called meeting must be an emergency situation that cannot wait until a regularly scheduled meeting.

The meeting opened with Haywood Hamlet making a motion to give across the board raises of .79 of one percent to all county employees which he stated would cost the county a total of $7500 dollars. Hamlet stated this was “in order to treat our employees fairly.” The motion did not receive a second.

The issue arose from a last year decision when the county received funds for a three percent raise for Compensation Board (those for whom the county is reimbursed) employees. As all employees were not included, the county voted to give all employees a two percent raise instead of three percent for some and nothing for non-comp board employees.

Some employees complained they did not receive their total raise and accused the county of “keeping our money.” In the September Board Meeting Sheriff Thomas Jones and the Board chairman had an intense exchange regarding the funds. After discussion the board voted to give raises to mandated employees with some supervisors warning the move would cause friction from the employees not receiving the raise.

As predicted some of those not receiving the raise have complained and the meetings were an attempt to resolve the issue.

Supervisor Carey stated, “I have read and reread the code section and I cannot see anywhere to justify a pay raise.”

Supervisor Walker offered a substitute motion to give the raise to the seven affected Sheriff’s Office employees.

Walker’s motion passed 4/3 with Haywood Hamlet, Joe Carey and Chairman Nancy Carwile voting against.

Non-Compensation Board Employees in other county offices will not receive the raise.