“While my heart wants to say ‘let’s push forward, we can do this,’ the word non-compliant is staying at the forefront of conversations,” said Commissioner Emily Truman, who is also an experienced 911 dispatcher.

Consolidation could be next step to solve Gates County 911 dispatch issues

Consolidation could be next step to solve Gates County 911 ... - WTKR

Commissioners
Emily Truman, Chair
Gatesville District
603 Court Street
Gatesville, NC27938
etruman@gatescountync.gov
252-642-5552
Term Expires: November 2026

Commissioners | Gates County, North Carolina

Emily serves as a Gates County Commissioner for the Gatesville District. Her term expires in November 2026.

Board of Commissioners - Gates County

2026 North Carolina General Election

Commission Chair Emily Truman set the tone early and bluntly during discussion of the county's fiscal year 2026-27 budget. “I feel like we’ve asked the Board of Education to make cuts and to hold to a certain dollar amount in budget,” Truman said. “And we have a declining population. I don’t feel that we can in turn ask for a tax increase to make our budget suit. I think that we need to do what we’ve asked them to do and take a hard look at our budget and make the cuts that we need to make in order to balance our budget without a tax increase… I feel like we can’t ask them to do something that we aren’t willing to do ourselves.”

Gates County Commission Hears $2.9M School Budget, Emotional Buckland Pleas, and Names New County Attorney - Albemarle Observer

Chair Truman floated the idea of a one-time bonus for county employees, drawn from the general fund, to recognize what she described as a difficult year for staff. “I don’t know if we could possibly work up a number… to see if we could give a one-time bonus out of our general fund to the staff of Gates County. It doesn’t have to be a significant number, but $500, $750, something like that would be a mental link that says thank you and we appreciate you.” Truman was clear that no decision had been made and that she hoped the board would explore the idea further.

Calls for county budget cuts to balance the budget without a tax increase.

Proposes exploring a one-time $500 or $750 general-fund bonus for county employees.

- Calls for county budget cuts to balance the budget without a tax increase.
- Proposes exploring a one-time $500 or $750 general-fund bonus for county employees.

Economy

As for the Article 46 sales tax referendum that is up for a vote by Gates County residents as part of the March 3 Primary election, Board of Commissioners chair Emily Truman said that also addresses the school system’s nutrition program and food security countywide. “With what it’s projected to generate, and I’m being very conservative, it’s $175,000 to $200,000,” Truman said. “Anything beyond sustaining the school nutrition program goes to food programs like GEMS (Gates Emergency Ministries) and other community food pantries.”

School closure pending

Said revenue from the Article 46 sales tax beyond school nutrition would fund Gates Emergency Ministries and other community food pantries.

- Said revenue from the Article 46 sales tax beyond school nutrition would fund Gates Emergency Ministries and other community food pantries.

Public Services

As of September 2, 2026, Emily Truman did not have a website or any information online.

Housing & Urban Development

Public Safety

Transportation & Infrastructure

Energy & the Environment

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Emily Truman

As of September 2, 2026, Emily Truman’s website did not contain information on this issue.

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Mauricio Mendez

Buket Urgen

- County Commissioners create and pass laws at the county-level. These laws show up in very tangible ways, such as determining how much you pay property and sales tax rates, public transportation, and maintaining infrastructure.
- County Commissioners are responsible for preparing and passing the county budget. The budget determines how much funding goes to various public services, such as public transportation, law enforcement, repairing roads, and maintaining infrastructure.
- County Commissioners oversee the administrative duties of your county’s government to ensure the safety, comfort, and well-being of county residents.
- County Commissioners can create, change, or abolish offices, positions, departments that are not required by law. 
- County Commissioners are elected to 4-year terms, with no term limits. Typically, you only vote for the County Commissioner that represents your county commission district.