Administration
The City of Locust is managed on a day to day basis by the City Manager. The City Manager is appointed solely at the pleasure of the Locust City Council. The Manager is responsible for the daily operation and management of all aspects of the City of Locust.
The City Manager works directly with the City Council to professionally advise and provide pertinent information as the City Council develops local policy. The City Council creates and establishes policy based on any number of factors and the City Manager is responsible for the implementation and management of those policies.
Administrative Staff
City Manager, Mr. Cesar Correa, ICMA-CM
Tel: 704-888-5260 ext. 101
Cesar has been employed with the City of Locust since September 1, 2016. Prior to coming to Locust, Cesar served as the Assistant Township Administrator for Maplewood, NJ for 3.5 years.
Cesar received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of Delaware in 2011, and a Master of Public Administration from Fairleigh Dickinson University in 2013. Cesar is also a graduate of Stanly County Chamber of Commerce Leadership Stanly program, the ICMA Gettysburg Leadership Academy, the UNC School of Government Municipal and County Administration program, and the UNCC Public Management Academy. Cesar is currently recognized as an ICMA-Credentialed Manager, a Certified Budget & Evaluation Officer, and a Certified Local Government Finance Officer.
As City Manager, Cesar is responsible for overseeing the management and operations of all City departments. Other duties include project development & management, budgeting, human resources management and all other duties as required by the Locust City Council.
Finance Director, Mrs. Stephania Morton
Stephania has been employed with the City of Locust since June 1, 2015. Stephania is a Stanly County native and graduate of Pfeiffer University where she earned her Master of Business Administration in 2000 and her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in 1993. Stephania also holds an Associate Degree in Accounting from Stanly County Community College. She completed certification in Municipal and County Administration from UNC – School of Government, and she is recognized as a Certified Local Government Finance Officer. Stephania performs a variety of fiscal and administrative functions for the City of Locust. Day to day responsibilities include overseeing payroll and accounts payable; performing budgetary accounting, general ledger, financial reporting and other fiscal tasks for the City and assisting the City Administrator with budget preparation.”
Amy has been employed with the City of Locust, as the City Clerk since March 2011. Amy is an IIMC and a NCAMC Certified Municipal Clerk. She obtained her certification through the UNC School of Government’s Clerks Institute. She completed certification in Municipal and County Administration from UNC – School of Government in May 2025. As City Clerk, Amy is responsible for the safe record keeping of the City, assuring legal public notice is made as required by law, and other duties as assigned by the City Council or City Administrator. These responsibilities specifically include taking the minutes of all City Council and Planning & Zoning meetings. On a daily basis Amy assists the City Council and Mayor with correspondence and planning of meeting schedules, as well as other administrative duties such as accounts payable processing and coordination of employees’ benefits.
Planning Director, Mr. Scott Efird
Born and raised in Locust, Scott served as chairman of the Planning & Zoning Board and as Mayor prior to joining the Planning & Zoning Department in December 2012. As Planning Director, Scott is responsible for regulating development within the City of Locust. Scott is recognized as a Certified Zoning Officer. Day to day duties include meeting with developers, site plan reviews, issuance of compliance permits for new construction, and answering general development questions. In addition, Scott works closely with Stanly County to resolve code enforcement/minimum housing infractions.
Office Manager, Mrs. Wendy Lowder
Business Office Staff
The City of Locust Business office maintains all utility account information, business licenses, service applications, rate structures, and other financial interaction between the city of Locust and customers.
The office staff is responsible for the accurate recording of utility consumption on a monthly basis. The staff receives water consumption meter readings from Stanly County Utilities, and they use that data to bill sewer usage. The office is constantly creating new accounts, closing accounts, maintaining the necessary changes to individual accounts, and auditing account systems to assure that no billing inconsistencies exist.
The business office administers all utility accounts. From utility record collection, billing, and payment receipt, the business staff can help you with your account needs. New customers may submit applications for sewer utility connections and establish account billing information. In addition, the business office coordinates the City’s solid waste services offered through Waste Pro. All new residents and businesses can request garbage and recycling carts from the business office staff to be delivered at their residency/business.
Please contact Wendy Lowder, Business Office Supervisor at 704-888-5260 should you have any utility account questions. You may also visit the Office at the Locust City Hall, located at 186 Ray Kennedy Drive, Locust, NC.
Mrs. Wendy Lowder, Business Office Supervisor
Mrs. Mandy Thomas, Office Assistant
City Hall Hours:
| Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday |
8:30am – 5:00pm 8:30am – 5:00pm 8:30am – 5:00pm 8:30am – 5:00pm 8:30am – 5:00pm |
Address:
186 Ray Kennedy Drive, Locust, NC 28097
Phone:
704-888-5260
Fax:
704-888-1566