Residents Urge Cary Council to Reconsider Proposed FY2027 Tax Hike as Budget Hearing Draws Strong Criticism

CARY — Dozens of residents pressed the Cary Town Council on June 11 over a proposed fiscal year 2027 budget that staff say would raise the town’s property tax rate and expand spending on public safety and capital projects.

Assistant Town Manager Stacy Tichi opened the second public hearing on the manager’s recommended budget and told the council the plan totals $573.5 million — a 12.2% increase over the current year — with an operating budget of $445.9 million and a capital budget of $127.6 million. Tichi said the recommendation includes a 3.75‑cent tax increase, which staff estimated would add about $20 per month for a median assessed home of $650,000, a $2 monthly increase in solid‑waste fees and a 4% utility rate increase applied to base rates.

The proposed budget would add 55 new positions and direct nearly 20% of total spending to public safety, Tichi said. “This budget is the first of a three‑year smoothing approach,” she said, describing the plan as rooted in council and public input.

But public comment that followed focused on objections to the tax increase and to what many speakers described as questionable prior expenditures. Gil Pagan of the High Impact Team urged immediate cuts, recommending a 15% reduction across department budgets, a two‑year hiring freeze and a forensic audit before any tax increase. “No mass tax increases,” Pagan said.

Other speakers raised specific line‑item concerns. Christina Chandler called elements of the spending list “outrageous,” citing town‑produced videos and a municipal book‑publishing effort. Debbie Vaughn, a long‑time resident, said the town spends about $7 million annually to maintain Cary Park and questioned whether that and other expenses represent the best use of taxpayer dollars. She also asked the council to explain “$330,000 spent on a dancing queen video” and $37,000 that she said was paid to a council member for a master’s degree.

Several commenters referenced recent press reporting and investigations into town finances and called for greater transparency. Peter Fernandez and Arthur Roadie pressed the council to justify large increases in legal and departmental spending and asked for audits or independent reviews to restore public trust.

Councilmembers did not act on the budget at the meeting; state law requires an adopted budget by June 30. Councilmembers and staff noted the recommendation is the manager’s proposal and that council will continue deliberations. Interim Town Manager Russ Overton reminded the public the council discussed the budget in a recorded work session earlier and that the plan would return to the council for formal action.

What’s next: Council will continue budget deliberations ahead of the June 30 adoption deadline. Members of the public may submit written comments and follow future hearings online.