Dear Cary Residents,
Yesterday was a productive and intense day with back-to-back meetings. Our working group and Town Council sessions were filled with discussions on projects and topics that will shape the future of Cary. Here’s a summary of the key updates:
Budget Adoption
The Cary Town Council adopted the budget with a few changes.There will be a tax increase of 8.1 cents per $100 valuation of your property. Despite this increase, Cary remains the third town with the lowest taxes in Wake County. The revenue will be allocated to enhance public safety, infrastructure, parks & recreation, affordable housing projects, and maintaining high standards for our residents. Approved by the Council: 7-0
Upcoming Bond Vote
In November, Cary citizens will have the opportunity to vote on a $590 million bond. This bond package is designed to benefit everyone in our community. Once approved by the citizens, this list will set a priority for Cary Town for list of projects to work on.
Here’s a breakdown of the proposed projects:
- The Center: A community and sports center in South Hills: $300 million
- Mills Park Community Center: $150 million
- Nancy Jones Park: $10 million
- Asian Garden: $10 million
- Cary Tennis & Pickleball Courts: $60 million
- Greenway: A 3-mile greenway connecting downtown Cary, Fenton, and South Hills: $30 million
- Housing Projects: $30 million
Cary maintains a AAA rating, comparable to a top-tier credit rating for an individual. This AAA rating is critical for securing the best available interest rates on several loans, ensuring that we manage our finances prudently and effectively.
Election Format Change to plurality
The Cary Town Council has adopted a resolution to change our election method and call for a public hearing on July 25th, 2024. The proposed change to a plurality format means the candidate with the highest votes will win. Elections will be held in November of odd years, aligning with other municipalities in Wake County. This switch is projected to save Cary over $600,000 annually, which was the cost of the November 2023 runoff election. Approved by the Council: 7-0
EMS Operations in Chatham County
During the recent campaign, residents of western Cary in Chatham County expressed concerns about EMS coverage. Chatham County has now established its own EMS provider, set to begin operations on July 8th. Both Wake and Chatham County EMS providers will be stationed at Fire Station 8, with calls routed through Cary’s 911 services. I recently met with residents to discuss their concerns and was encouraged by the positive feedback and optimism.
Visit the Chatham County website for more information: www.chathamcountync.gov/EMS
Additionally, I have attended several events and meetings in past few weeks but want to highlight the following:
Green Hope High School and Green Level high school graduation ceremonies
It was a wonderful experience to witness graduating classes of 2024 from both the schools. There was sense of enthusiasm and excitement amongst the new graduates and their families. Wishing everyone future filled with success, joy and endless opportunities. Always be curious, brave and strong.
Unfortunately, I could not attend Panther Creek’s graduation ceremony due to conflict with Town Council meeting but my best wishes are with the graduates!
Lufthansa direct service from RDU – Frankfurt
I was excited to be part of the discussions to start direct flight from RDU to several international destinations, including Europe, UAE and India. As a result of those discussions, RDU received its first flight from Frankfurt. This flight will provide opporutnities to travelers looking to explore new destinations and also providing connectivity to destinations like India and other Asian countries. I had a great conversation with RDU’s CEO, Michael Landguth, on runway expansion project.
Juneteenth events in Cary and Apex
I had an opportunity to attend two incredible Juneteenth celebrations in Cary and Apex, and both were unforgettable. In Cary, the event wass a lively mix of music, dance, and community vibes. There were so many families enjoying the festivities, and the storyt4elling sessions about Juneteenth’s history were really powerful. Iy was greate to see everyone come together to celebrate and reflect.
In Apex, I had the honot of being a special guest. The welcome was so warm, and the event was filled with performances, speeches, and interactive exhibits. I am grateful to the Mayor of Apex for always being so warm and supportive.
Personally,
I am happy to welcome my daughter back from her exchange trip to France. She stayed with a student’s family in France and attended the school. This experience will only help her grow in her life. I was a bit of a nerve wreck, but I survived!!
My parents visited us for 3 days as we kept postponing our trip to NJ. It was exciting to be able to celebrate my mom’s birthday with us for the first time. She had an amazing time with family and friends.
Thank you for staying informed and engaged with our community’s developments. We look forward to your continued support and participation in shaping Cary’s future. One team one dream.
Please reach out to my email: sarika.bansal@carync.gov email for topics related to Cary. Please direct your email with personal questions to info@sarika4cary.com.
With gratitude,
Sarika Bansal
Cary Town Council