Holly Springs staff present $25.9 million 2026 budget and $73.4 million five-year CIP

Holly Springs City staff presented the proposed operating budget for the year ending Dec. 31, 2026, and a five-year capital improvements plan during the council’s Dec. 4 meeting. Finance presenter Ms. Lamasares told the council the proposed general fund budget is $17,500,000, the total 2026 budget is $25,890,000 and the five-year CIP totals $73,424,553.

Ms. Lamasares said the budget includes no new positions, a planned 2.5% step increase for all employees effective Jan. 1, and several insurance cost increases, including a 25% rise in health insurance and a 9% rise in dental. She also said staff set aside $175,000 in contingency to comply with management policy and included lease payments for replacement vehicles in public safety. "We have no new positions budgeted," Ms. Lamasares said.

The budget narrative listed several named capital projects: funds for widening Holly Springs Parkway and Hickory Road, engineering and right-of-way for Palm Street improvements, realignment of Hickory Springs Industrial Drive, and Town Center infrastructure including a parking deck and city hall funded in part by URA bond proceeds. Staff noted specific fund line items such as a $6,150,000 allocation for the Holly Springs Parkway widening and a $4,340,000 allocation from the TSPLOST fund for Hickory Road phase 1 and related projects.

Ms. Lamasares told the council the proposed budget would be presented to the council again on Dec. 15 for formal adoption. No public comments were offered during the hearing, and the council closed the public hearing without taking an immediate vote on the budget.

If adopted on Dec. 15, the budget and CIP would guide municipal spending for 2026 and direct federal, state and local funds and URA bond proceeds toward the listed capital projects.