Fuquay Varina residents urge board to drop Hilltop Needmore ballfields from FY27 budget

Dozens of Fuquay Varina residents packed the May 19 town board meeting to urge commissioners to remove a $10 million line item for ball fields at Hilltop Needmore Park from the proposed fiscal year 2027 operating budget and five-year plan.

At the public hearing, residents described the Blue Trail and surrounding acreage as heavily used daily by walkers, seniors, children and people with disabilities and said converting roughly 5 acres for active recreation would degrade wildlife habitat and access to passive green space. "Please do not rob the entire town of this blue Trail," said Norma Coble, who identified herself as a nearby resident.

Speakers tied their opposition to a 2023 county bond vote and long-running advocacy. "The people spoke," said Ashley Manstead, who said she represents Hilltop Needmore Park advocates and urged the town to pursue alternatives such as moving the Armed Services Memorial to Library Park, using joint-use agreements with schools or exploring regional partnerships. Maria Swanson said residents feel the town is "fast-tracking" plans despite the earlier vote.

Town officials said they have considered alternatives and that some elements of the site's master plan, discussed years ago with county and neighborhood participants, include both passive and active uses. Mayor William H. Harris reminded speakers the hearing was on the budget and that formal adoption of the FY27 budget will occur at the board's June 1 meeting. "We have received your feedback," Town Manager Adam Mitchell said; "we will continue to move through the budget approval process."

Staff and the finance director summarized the budget items driving the proposal: a recommended 2-cent increase in the property tax rate to 37.8 cents per $100 of assessed value, a $1-per-month increase in sanitation fees (to $24), and a proposed 15% increase in base water and sewer rates to address operating costs, debt service and capital-improvement obligations. Finance staff also noted a $10 million project line for Hilltop Needmore Town Park appears in the five-year capital plan and is the single largest parks project listed.

Speakers urged other options: repair and expansion of existing fields (including drainage and turf upgrades), joint agreements with Wake County Public Schools or Harnett County, leasing private fields, and relocating memorial or park amenities to more central or already developed parcels. Town staff said they have evaluated multiple alternate properties and that acquiring comparable land and building infrastructure elsewhere could substantially increase acquisition and development costs.

The board did not act on the budget at the meeting. Commissioners said they heard the public's concerns and reiterated that the formal vote on the FY27 budget and five-year plan is scheduled for June 1, 2026. "This public hearing has been closed," Mayor Harris said. "We will vote on the budget on June 1."