Buncombe leaders agreed to land deal in private

The Citizen-Times has reported that Buncombe County commissioners agreed in private to buy a piece of property as part of a deal to attract a company to the County.

According to the article, several of board members believe there should have been transparency. But others, and the county attorney, maintain that they were discussing the deal under part of the law allowing closed meetings on certain economic development issues.

The article quotes SMVT partner Amanda Martin on whether the closed meeting was proper:

The North Carolina Press Association attorney says maybe not.

“I would basically say no,” said attorney Amanda Martin. “If they are buying a piece of property, that is a matter for public discussion.”

You can read the entire article here.