Apex budget directs funds to public safety, utilities, roads and a new town stage, official says

An agency official for the Town of Apex outlined the town’s proposed fiscal 2027 budget, saying it is "around $261,000,000" and that the plan includes a tax-rate adjustment and targeted investments in public safety, utilities, roads and recreation.

The official said the budget is balanced with "a tax rate of 37.35¢" that includes a 1.75¢ increase and updates to other rates and fees intended to preserve the town’s services. "Investing in public safety is 1 of the key themes in this year's budget," the official said, adding that 41¢ of every dollar in the general fund "goes directly to police, fire, and 9 1 1 communications."

Why it matters: The budget’s emphasis on safety and infrastructure directs a large share of general-fund spending to emergency services while also committing capital funds to keep utilities and roads functioning as the town grows.

Public safety: The official said the budget adds six new police officers and "a dedicated fire inspector" to improve response times and keep pace with growth. The plan also allocates money for upgraded facilities and modern equipment so first responders "have what they need to serve Apex effectively."

Utilities and stormwater: To support reliable electric service the official identified the East Williams and Green Level substations as funded projects, and described investments in water and sewer system expansions and in green stormwater infrastructure "to protect our environment."

Roads and traffic: On transportation, the official said the town will move forward with major improvements, including widening Apex Peakway North and safety upgrades at the Apex Peakway and Tingen Road intersection. The budget allocates $3,750,000 for the annual pavement-management program to maintain existing roads.

Parks and community space: The town plans to add a permanent stage on the Town Hall campus to host concerts and community events, with the official noting a grant will cover about 50% of the project cost. The budget also funds shade structures at Pleasant Park and enhancements to recreation programs.

Budget frame and next steps: The official described the budget as focused on "stability, resilience, and thoughtful investment" amid slower revenue growth and rising costs, and said the town intends to support employees and plan for the future. The transcript records these descriptions in a question-and-answer exchange; no formal vote or ordinance text appears in the provided transcript.

Noted transcript clarifications: The transcript used shorthand and contained minor transcription errors (for example "Apexa" and "Peekway"); those were corrected in this article to the standard local spellings. The transcript reported numerical figures as given by the official; units for the cited tax-rate figure were not specified in the transcript.