Coates named Henrico Finance director

Henrico County’s Department of Finance soon will have a new director.

Meghan F. Coates, who joined the department as deputy director last year, will become its director Aug. 1. She is currently serving as acting director, following the departure of former director Ned Smither, who left to become county administrator in Powhatan County. Smither had served in the role since 2017.

Coates helped lead Henrico’s financial response to the COVID-19 pandemic this spring, working to trim $99 million from a budget that was just weeks away from adoption when the pandemic hit.

As director, Coates will lead an agency with more than 160 employees and a budget of $13.7 million for the 2020-21 fiscal year. Finance comprises the divisions of real estate assessment, treasury, management and budget, accounting, purchasing and revenue.

Among its scope of duties, the department prepares and administers the county’s operating and capital budgets and comprehensive annual financial report; reviews, assesses, bills and collects taxes, licenses and fees; assesses real estate and certain personal property; and purchases goods and services for general government departments and Henrico Schools.

Coates also will serve as commissioner of revenue and treasurer for the county, as prescribed by the Code of Virginia.

Prior to coming to joining Henrico County, Coates held several positions with Chesterfield County, including budget analyst, budget manager and director of budget and management. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Roanoke College and a master of science from Virginia Commonwealth University. She is the mother of two daughters.