Coats leaders say police pay lags neighboring towns, urge pay study and staff increases

At a Feb. 27 work session, Interim Town Manager Kenneth Cole told the Town of Coats Board of Commissioners that a pay comparison compiled by Finance Director Connie Lassiter shows Coats’ approved pay levels are "lower than all the others," prompting calls for a formal pay study covering the police department and other town departments.

Cole directed the board's attention to a document with current approved positions and pay grades for Coats and surrounding towns compiled by Connie Lassiter. "Coats was lower than all the others," Cole said, arguing a study by outside groups would be valuable to determine appropriate pay for police and other staff.

Commissioner Kelvin Gilbert said he had tried to capture a fuller picture of comparability by looking beyond base pay, noting he compared "the total area miles that Coats Officers had to cover" as well as population and crime rates in other towns to assess whether pay scales are aligned with workload pressures.

Mayor Pro Tem Marc Powell suggested establishing a pay-grade step system for police officers so raises would not depend solely on turnover. "For example, officers would achieve pay steps by accomplished training and certifications," Powell said, adding that the town should prepare for anticipated growth that could increase service demands.

Cole also noted that while the town has grown during his prior tenure and return as interim manager, staffing at Town Hall has not kept pace. He cited the need for a planning director and additional finance staff to manage growth and administrative workload.

No formal motion or vote was recorded during the work session on Feb. 27. The discussion focused on staff recommendations to pursue a formal pay study and options for structuring police pay and addressing Town Hall staffing needs; no implementation decision was made on the record.

The board did not take formal action during the work session.