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Commissioners approve vehicles and equipment for new sheriff's deputies after debate over timing and equity
Summary
The board approved funding for vehicles and equipment for four new deputy positions approved in the budget; commissioners expressed concerns about off-cycle requests, pay equity for long-serving deputies, and staffing needs for detention and narcotics units.
Pender County commissioners approved a request from the sheriff's office to fund vehicles and equipment tied to newly approved deputy positions.
Major Collier presented a detailed equipment and vehicle package, citing state contract pricing of $50,009.86 per 2025 Chevrolet patrol vehicle and an outfitting cost of about $28,318.47 per vehicle (lights, in-car computers, prisoner systems). Major Collier said uniforms and equipment average about $14,043.45 per deputy for items such as body armor and duty weapons. He presented totals: outfitting and vehicle costs for the four originally approved positions would be about $373,392.42; expanding to eight vehicles and complete packages would have increased the estimate substantially.
Commissioners asked why the request came after budget adoption, whether the department had prospects to fill positions, and pressed the sheriff's office on internal pay equity for long-serving deputies whose pay grades were not addressed in the most recent salary changes. Commissioner Tate and others asked sheriff's office leadership to provide a comprehensive staffing plan so other departments do not feel overlooked in mid-year requests. The sheriff and Major Collier said they had included the minimum staff increase in the adopted budget and the request before the board was to make those positions operational with dedicated equipment.
After debate and questions about timing, recruitment prospects and other departmental needs, the board moved and voted to approve the equipment and vehicle funding necessary to outfit the approved positions. The sheriff thanked the board for support.
Quotes
"Vehicles are needed to patrol, to have the deputies...reliable transportation," Major Collier said in presenting the request.
"Investing in new vehicles and equipment ensures new positions can be fully effective, enhances officer safety, community protection, and operational readiness," Major Collier told commissioners.
Outcome
Motion carried by voice vote to provide vehicles and equipment for the newly approved deputy positions; the board discussed but did not take final action on additional deputy requests beyond the four previously budgeted positions.
What to watch next
Commissioners asked county administration to return with a wider staffing plan that addresses detention staffing for an upcoming jail, narcotics capacity and internal pay adjustments for long-serving personnel.
