By Miles Layton

GATESVILLE — Gates County Manager Scott Sauer used his report at Wednesday’s Gates County Commission meeting to recognize the work of county departments, emergency responders, and volunteers during a recent winter weather event.

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Let’s start with weather – Winter Storm Fern — because of the pending snowpocalypse, Gates County declared a State of Emergency Friday afternoon — effective immediately. Many counties in our region have done that.

The declaration allows county agencies to prepare for the potential impacts of snow and ice, including hazardous road conditions and possible power outages.

Next, Sauer first praised the North Carolina Department of Transportation for its efforts during last weekend’s storm.

“I think we all owe a great debt of gratitude to the Department of Transportation,” he said.

“Those folks have been working round the clock and keeping the roads clear, putting down the brine,” Sauer added. “I imagine they’re still doing that right now for the coming weekend, but being able to move our people and keep businesses open, we all owe them a great debt.”

He said the ability of residents and emergency personnel to travel safely depended heavily on DOT’s work.

Sauer next recognized the Gates County Sheriff’s Office and its role during the storm.

“And right behind that is the sheriff’s office and his staff,” he said. “His folks were extremely busy during this storm.”

Sauer noted that Sheriff Ray Campbell frequently contacted him with updates.

“And as Sheriff Campbell would call and give me updates, he always finished his report with, ‘Those folks at DOT are fantastic,’” Sauer said. “Because, you know, he can’t respond if we don’t have DOT.”

Sauer also mentioned a fire that occurred during the weekend and praised the turnout of volunteer firefighters.

“Tragically, we had a fire over the weekend, but I think we can celebrate the fact that 20 of the firefighters on their roster showed up,” he said. “They have a 21-person roster. 20 out of 21 is just really remarkable and says a lot for the commitment of those volunteers.”

A commissioner responded, “That’s amazing,” during the exchange.

In anticipation of power outages, Sauer said the county had opened a warning shelter at the community center.

“As many of you know, we set up a warning shelter at the community center because the anticipated ice event was such that we felt there were folks that were nervous and unprepared if they were to have lost their power,” he said. “We wanted to be ready.”

Although no residents ultimately used the shelter, Sauer said the experience was valuable.

“Well, has it worked out? None of the citizens took us up on that, so it was a really good training exercise, and that’s easy for me to say because I wasn’t there all night,” he said.

“I was there to help kick it off, but I was not there all night,” Sauer added.

He noted that recent upgrades to the community center played a role in the county’s preparedness.

“But I want to mention that the HVAC and the generator that’s now installed for the community center, that was part of our emergency management’s work,” he said.

Sauer said emergency management staff were active throughout the weather event, coordinating county operations and monitoring conditions.

He also highlighted the efforts of the Gates County Department of Social Services.

“I want to talk about our Department of Social Services, the director, William Smith, and I think it was 10 of his staff who came to set up the facility about 3:00 PM on Saturday, stayed till eight or nine o’clock in the morning on Sunday,” Sauer said.

He said county leadership supported those workers during their extended shift.

“And our own assistant county manager, Warren Perry, prepared breakfast for those folks,” Sauer said. “And I don’t mean he went to the drive-through and picked out biscuits. He prepared breakfast for those folks.”

Sauer said public utilities staff also remained on duty during the cold weather, even when other county offices were closed.

“Our public utility staff were busy that period, and when we all had a day off on Monday due to the cold, we were fully staffed for public utilities,” he said.

He recognized the Perquimans-Gates 911 Communications Center for maintaining emergency communications.

“Another very honorable mention is our Perquimans Gates 911 center,” Sauer said. “Again, they keep the communications rolling.”

He added that the county worked closely with Merchants Millpond State Park staff during the storm.

Reflecting on the weekend, Sauer said the county’s response functioned as both a real-world test and a learning experience.

“So, we had, I think, a very busy and effective training on this past weekend,” he said. “I’m hoping we don’t have to use any of it this coming weekend.”

However, he cautioned that weather forecasts remained concerning.

“But the numbers are scary, and I think we all just need to stay tuned,” Sauer said.

He concluded his remarks by thanking the Board Clerk/county’s public information officer and social media coordinator, Renee Draper, for keeping residents informed.

“And I want to say, last and not least, there’s a lady against the wall over there who has been our PIO and social media coordinator, who has been putting out updates, information about changes in services or emergency offerings,” Sauer said. “And I’m gonna say a big public thank you to Renee Draper for that. So your team was working hard this weekend.”

Following Sauer’s report, Commission Chairwoman Emily Truman addressed a separate matter related to a consolidation study and a letter submitted to the state auditor.

Truman referred to comments made earlier in the month by Gates County Schools Superintendent Williams.

“At the Board meeting held on January 12, 2026, Superintendent Williams stated that County Manager Sauer included an incorrect figure in the letter submitted to the state auditor,” Truman said. “The Board of Commissioners, and I in my capacity as Chair, respectfully disagree with the assertion that County Manager Sauer bears responsibility for this error.”

She acknowledged that the figure in question was inaccurate.

“The Board of Commissioners does acknowledge that the amount identified in the letter as the cost of the consolidation study consultant was inaccurate,” Truman said.

Truman explained that the board had relied on information previously provided to them.

“While the actual expenditure for the study totaled $27,900, the Board had been provided on multiple occasions with a projected cost of $50,000 prior to the submission of the letter,” she said.

She said the higher estimate was mistakenly included.

“That projected figure was inadvertently included, and the discrepancy was not identified during the Board’s review of the correspondence,” Truman said.

Her remarks were aimed at clarifying the circumstances surrounding the error and reaffirming the board’s support for Sauer.