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In a light agenda on Jan. 9, Locust City Council received reports from town departments, appointed two of its own members to regional boards and made a citizen appointment to fill a vacancy on the city planning and zoning board.
City Manager Cesar Correa reported to council members on the status of the municipal budget, indicating that expenditures and remaining balances are normal for the halfway point of the fiscal year.
“Both the general fund and the wastewater enterprise fund are performing well,” he noted, providing a budget summary through Dec. 31, 2024 to the board.
Duties of council representatives to the boards of Centralina Council of Governments board and the Rocky River Rural Planning Association were considered by council members. Following discussion, Councilman Rusty Efird was appointed to represent Locust on the Centralina COG board, with Councilman Michael Haigler assigned as representative to the Rocky River RPO.
A vacancy on the city’s planning and zoning board was filled as well, with council members voting unanimously to appoint Amanda Pasquarello to the position.
In other business, council members gave reports from remaining city departments which they represent.
Councilwoman Mandy Watson reported that the Locust Parks and Recreation Department has completed its 2025 Events Calendar, and is currently accepting online registrations for spring sports.
City Manager Correa (reporting for Councilman Barry Sims, who was absent) reported that some changes in specifications are being made for the new West Stanly Senior Center, with a request for bids projected for “late February/early March.”
Councilman Roger Hypes provided the Public Safety report, noting that January is National Law Enforcement Appreciation Month, and encouraged those in attendance to view the Locust Police Department’s Facebook site.
Haigler provided a report on Planning and Zoning, noting that 74 new housing permits had been issued during the 2024 calendar year.
In other matters:
● Locust Police Chaplain Mario Miller requested that the council change the opening order of regular council meetings, with the invocation delivered prior to the Pledge of Allegiance, rather than afterwards.
● Locust Police Chief Jeff Shew reported that some thefts from construction sites in the city had recently occurred during overnight hours, and advised anyone who sees activity at those sites during those times to notify LPD.
Locust City Council will next convene on Jan. 23 in a joint meeting with the planning and zoning board. The next regular meeting will take place on Feb. 13.

Toby Thorpe is a freelance writer for The Stanly News & Press.