Holly Springs Watch

05/30/2026

Coming down to the wire!

05/30/2026

05/27/2026

We are fortunate that our current draft budget does not call for a tax increase, unlike what is likely occurring in Apex.

Kudos to Randy Harrington, our town manager, for his fiscal discipline. However, it is the council which can change this, so let them know your thoughts.

05/25/2026

Just something I have noticed…….perhaps I am more aware due to the Nick Shirley videos many of us have seen on social media……but there seems to be a trend of autism centers opening recently around Holly Springs and nearby areas.

If it wasn’t for the Nick Shirley videos, I know I would have never noticed.

05/22/2026

15 years is a long time……go get ‘em Hawks !!

05/12/2026

The proposed budget calls for increases in water, sewer, trash and recycling fees. However, no increase in the tax rate!

Stay informed and share feedback as the Town prepares its budget for the upcoming fiscal year, July 2026 through June 2027.

05/07/2026

Nice promotion to eliminate waste!!

04/30/2026

The mayor of Apex reports that the first draft of their budget calls for a substantial tax increase. We need to put pressure on our council to ensure they don’t raise the tax rate.

Our town council is big on “affordability”, so let’s hope they continue with that mindset during the budget process.

Continuing the Budget Conversation

About a month and a half ago, I shared my initial thoughts on the upcoming budget and the importance of building it around what we share as a community.

Since then, I’ve had the opportunity to review the Town Manager’s recommended budget and to hear directly from many of you. I truly appreciate your feedback and willingness to be engaged with the process.

What I’m hearing is clear: concerns about affordability remain top of mind. The current proposal includes a 3.5 cent tax increase along with utility rate increases. Given the current environment, I believe we have more work to do to ensure this budget is aligned with the realities our residents are facing.

This morning, ahead of the 10:00 am Finance Committee meeting, I shared with the Council members assigned to the committee a simple message: We need to sharpen the scissors.

That means taking a closer look at this budget identifying where we can make additional cuts, where we can, and where we can pause in order to reduce the overall impact on our community.

At the same time, I want to be equally clear: public safety and employee health and wellness remains nonnegotiable. The immediate needs that have been presented whether in police, fire, emergency services, and employee wellness benefits are real, justified, and directly tied to maintaining the level of service our community expects and deserves.

This is where the balance comes in. We must continue to invest in the core services that protect our quality of life, while also making disciplined decisions that reflect the financial realities of our residents. That’s the work ahead of us.

I also want to take a moment to thank our staff for the work that has gone into this process. Developing a budget is complex and challenging, and their efforts are appreciated.

I am confident that, working together, we can continue to move forward in a way that reflects what’s best for Apex.

I’ll continue to keep you informed and as always, I welcome your thoughts.

04/29/2026

Revaluations are not a problem as long as town’s adjust the tax rate and keep it revenue neutral. The last municipal tax rate change in HS increased my town taxes by 35%. This included the P&R bond, but it should not have gone up that much. We need to watch what the town council does with the 2027 revaluation.

State lawmakers on Wednesday are scheduled to consider a proposal to stop North Carolina municipalities from implementing new real estate appraisals — a process that often leads to higher property tax bills.

04/28/2026

The Brown House on Main St, currently in use as a restaurant. The covered patio and kitchen extension in back are modern additions .