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Pitt County approves $310,000 security contract for Mr. Beast LLC after debate over overtime costs
Summary
The Pitt County Board of Commissioners approved a $310,000 contract for the sheriff’s office to provide security services for Mr. Beast LLC’s Greenville office, 6–3, after commissioners questioned whether the $47/hour fee will cover time-and-a-half pay for off-duty deputies.
The Pitt County Board of Commissioners voted 6–3 on March 2 to approve a proposed $310,000 contract for law enforcement services at Mr. Beast LLC’s home office in Greenville.
County Manager Janis Gallagher told commissioners the sheriff’s office offers off-duty contracted services at a rate of $47 per hour and that off-duty officers are paid at time-and-a-half; she said the county collects the revenue and pays officers for the work. Gallagher said the county reviews the $47 rate during the budget process and that, historically, revenue and payouts have “matched pretty evenly at the end of the year.”
Several commissioners pressed for clarity on whether the fee would cover overtime. Commissioner Gary Weaver asked whether the county was losing money at the $47 rate if an officer’s time-and-a-half pay exceeds that amount; Gallagher replied that “an imbalance could occur” and that any shortfall would come from general county revenues. Commissioner Benji Holloman and others noted the sheriff has discretion to accept contracts and the board could require that the sheriff return if the contract exceeds the authorized amount.
Commissioner Mac Manning moved to approve the contract; Commissioner Melvin McLawhorn seconded. The motion passed 6–3. Commissioners Mark Smith and Rochelle Brown voted no; no other roll-call specifics were offered beyond the recorded tally.
The contract specifies a $47 hourly rate with a three-hour minimum per off-duty employee; payment is made in advance. The agenda packet states the sheriff’s office will provide coverage consistent with flight schedules provided by American Airlines and TSA and that services begin March 1, 2026, through January 1, 2027, subject to staffing availability.
The manager said the sheriff’s office was not in attendance at the meeting. The board did not add a condition requiring the sheriff to return for contract amendments; several commissioners said they could include such a condition in future motions if desired.
The board’s vote follows a prior budget amendment approving $400,000 in projected additional revenue tied to increased contracted services, noted in the meeting materials.
The county clerk will retain the contract and related appendices in the official record; the sheriff’s office is the contracting party responsible for staffing deployment under the agreement.
