Beaufort County Council held several special called meetings to begin interviewing law firms that will be tasked to conduct reviews and audits previously approved by Council. After lengthy discussions, Council unanimously chose the firm Haynsworth, Sinkler and Boyd.

With offices in Charleston, Columbia, Florence, Greenville and Raleigh, NC, according to their website, "our 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."

This action was immediately submitted to Finance, Administration and Economic Development Committee for action where it was approved unanimously. The committee then forwarded it back to Council for a full and final vote. The vote was unanimous with Council Vice-Chair Lawrence McElynn absent.

Council then voted unanimously to authorize $350,000 to cover fees. Billing will be conducted monthly and invoices 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.

At the July 25 County Council meeting and Finance, Administration and Economic Development Committee meeting, members voted unanimously to hire an outside law firm to:

• conduct a thorough review of all purchases that have occurred since January 1, 2023 to confirm the purchases comply with the County's procurement codes, identify any that do not comply, bring to Council those that don't and provide a description of any discrepancies;
• conduct a thorough review of all professional services that have occurred since January 1, 2023 to confirm that all contracts comply with the County's procurement codes, identify any that do not comply, bring to Council those that don't and provide a description of any discrepancies;
• conduct a thorough review of Beaufort County's Procurement Code and recommend updates, revisions, new measures and other changes that will strengthen the code if needed;
• conduct an audit of the County's P-Card System for the fiscal years 2019-2023, and report findings to Council along with recommendations for changes, if needed.

"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 Passiment. "It will take time but we will make it happen."