Coats board identifies short-term priorities in March budget work session

The Town of Coats Board of Commissioners met March 20, 2025, in a budget work session to review department requests and preliminary funding choices. Mayor Chris Coats opened the meeting at 7:00 p.m.; members and staff focused on capital equipment requests, staffing needs, and vendor-contract timing ahead of the next fiscal-year budget.

Public-safety and public-works requests drove much of the discussion. Police Chief Ken Storicks presented requests that included a patrol vehicle (approx. $52,200), officer body cameras (estimated $8,200), and $15,000 in salary increases for each police employee. Public Works Director Wes Blount requested a mini excavator and trailer totaling $76,725 and asked for an additional employee. Commissioners also raised questions about the Carolina Trash contract renewal and whether the town should consider contracting or selling water services to the county — a move Commissioner Shirley Allen said had produced favorable feedback in Erwin after that town sold its system.

The board reached two practical near-term outcomes: members asked Chief Storicks to obtain quotes and indicated consensus to purchase body cameras using current-year funds, and they decided not to buy a police vehicle in the coming fiscal year after reviewing fleet needs and vacancies. Manager Barbara Hollerand said she would circulate a community survey about recreation-program needs before advertising for a Parks and Recreation director. The meeting was adjourned at 9:20 p.m. following a motion by Mayor Pro Tem Marc Powell and a second by Commissioner Kelvin Gilbert.