DALEVILLE, Va. – A potential development deal in Botetourt County’s Valley District was discussed behind closed doors Thursday, as county supervisors invoke state law allowing private negotiations for competitive financial matters.
The Board of Supervisors called the special 6 p.m. meeting at the county administration center to discuss what officials describe as an investment opportunity requiring confidential negotiations.
Virginia law permits such closed-door discussions when public knowledge could weaken a locality’s bargaining position. The board cited Section 2.2-3711 (A)(6) of the state code, which specifically protects discussions involving public funds when competition is involved.
“I think it’s essential that the residents of Botetourt County understand what’s going on and it requires at least a few in the community to be willing to attend these meetings,” said Danny Goad, a Botetourt resident.
Goad, one of the few residents who showed up to the brief open session, said many people in the area are worried about the pace of development in the county.
“the citizens of Botetourt county that live here stand to lose a lot,” Goad said. “Most of the people that I know that have come here, they’ve come here for the rural character.”
While discussions will be private, any formal action must occur in open session under Virginia law. The county has not disclosed the nature or location of the development site within the Valley District.
The board also met with economic development authority legal counsel, but no action was taken in open session.
“It seems like things are approved and the information has never been given to the community and things should be done in the open where we can know the effect that development has on us, said Goad.
The Freedom of Information Act requires most government meetings to be public. However, specific exemptions allow closed sessions for:
- Competitive financial negotiations
- Property acquisition discussions
- Legal consultation
- Personnel matters