Interview with Indy Week, Interview with WUNC, Dr. Walden’s Economic Forecast, Council Work Session, and Council Meeting

Purpose of this Blog

It is my hope that this blog will provide insight not only into who I am meeting with on behalf of the Town, but also the topics we discuss. I believe strongly in open and transparent government. This blog is one of several initiatives I implemented when I became mayor in 2007 to make the governmental process more accessible to our citizens.

This blog is written with sincerity, honesty, and a commitment to accuracy so our constituents can better understand the work we do. After all, we work for them!

Interview with Indy Week

Monday morning, I did an interview with Chloe Bohl of Indy Week. We talked for half an hour in detail about topics related to the town manager’s transition. I thought the article was well written, fair, and balanced. Thanks to Chloe for being interested in getting information to the public rather than generating the anything-for-a-click news reporting we have seen from other media outlets. You can read the article here.

Interview with WUNC

I sat down with Sharryse Piggot Monday morning for an interview. I answered questions about the manager transition and how we are moving forward. Though not to detailed, I thought the article was well written, fair, and balanced. I appreciate Sharryse for meeting with me and providing information to the public. You can read the article here.

Council and Staff 3 X 4 Informational Meetings

Instead of the one-on-one meetings council used to have with the town manager, we now have two council members, and the mayor meet with four staff members. Topics included an informational preview of the January 8th work session and council regular meeting, items for the January 22nd meeting, and key topics council should consider. One topic was how to have drop-in public meetings on the budget to involve the residents more.

Dr. Walden’s Presentation at Cary Chamber Breakfast

On Wednesday Dr. Michael Walden from NC State University presented his annual economic outlook at a Cary Chamber Breakfast. Here are some of the points from that presentation:

  • GDP growth in the US from 2018 to 2023 was 12%. The last two years it was 5%.
  • GDP growth in NC from 2018 to 2023 was 14%. The last two years it was 7%.
  • Employment trends in NC are stable between 3% and 4%. The US is seeing an increase and is around 4%.
  • Jobless rate in US is 4.6%, in NC it is 3.7%, and Raleigh/Cary 3.2%.
  • Job openings are trending downward in both the US and NC.
  • The top four leading job gainers in NC are healthcare and social assistance at 101,586; professional, scientific, and technical services at 62,050; accommodation and food services at 61,292; educational services at 34,289.
  • US and NC retail sales continue to expand, but with some bumps.
  • Three worries: households are borrowing more, saving less, and are less optimistic
  • Loan delinquencies have risen, but not to dangerous levels.
  • Lower inflation rate does not necessarily mean lower prices.
  • The average weekly earnings, when adjusted for inflation, haven’t gone up in the last two years.
  • Tariffs were initially paid by the importing company but now more is being passed to the consumer.
  • Mortgage interest rates remain between five and seven per cent but have been trending slightly lower lately.
  • Median house listing in North Carolina is over $400,000.
  • Home affordability in North Carolina is trending toward more affordable housing over last year.
  • In 2026 GDP growth is expected to be between 2% and 3%.
  • In 2026 the jobless rate is expected to be 4.5%.
  • In 2026 the annual inflation rate is expected to be between 2.5% and 3%.
  • Issues that could impact GDP, jobs, and inflation include tariffs, AI, Fed policies, consumer solvency/sentiment, government shutdowns, foreign conflicts, social security solvency, and national debt.

Council Work Session

The Cary Council held a work session on Thursday evening to review the meeting schedule, see the high-level budget introduction by staff, changes in EMS service, and talk about council-initiated items.

In the budget introduction the council was introduced to the duties of the Budget Officer:

Each local government and public authority shall appoint a budget officer to serve at the will of the governing board. In counties or cities having the manager form of government, the county or city manager shall be the budget officer. Counties not having the manager form of government may impose the duties of budget officer upon the county finance officer or any other county officer or employee except the sheriff, or in counties having a population of more than 7,500, the register of deeds. Cities not having the manager form of government may impose the duties of budget officer on any city officer or employee, including the mayor if he agrees to undertake them. A public authority or special district may impose the duties of budget officer on the chairman or any member of its governing board or any other officer or employee.

The staff will be recreating the budget preview packet from past years. It will include highlights, a financial summary, key trends, and major budget requests. The budget preview packet will be given to council in March. The planned schedule for the budget process:

  • January 20: work session
  • February 5: work session
  • February 20-21: Council-staff retreat: financial fluency and priorities
  • March 9-13: Small group meetings: budget previews & packet review
  • March 12: work session
  • March 23-27: small group meetings: budget preview Q&A
  • March 24: work session
  • April 16: work session
  • April 28: work session
  • May 7: Manager’s recommended budget delivered to council
  • May 14: Quarterly: Review Manager’s recommended budget
  • May 28: work session
  • May 28: 1st budget public hearing
  • June 11: work session
  • June 11: 2nd budget public hearing
  • June 23: work session
  • June 25: budget adoption

Council asked staff to prepare ways for the public to be more involved. One idea is a focus group made up of Cary 101 graduates.

Wake County Plans changes in EMS service. They regulate all emergency and non-emergency ambulance services in Wake County municipalities. Fire departments in Cary and other municipalities provide first responder services. They just can’t do transport. Due to this lower level of service Cary Fire calls will increase and will have to remain in location longer. Ambulance service will respond to calls of highest priority based on a four-tiered system. An example of the tier one would be a heart attack. An example of tier four would be back pain or sick calls.

Council Meeting

The Cary Council held its first regularly scheduled meeting of the year on Thursday night. The agenda included three consent items, Public Speaks Out, no public hearings, and two discussion items.

The consent items were two sets of minutes and a call for a public hearing for two properties in Chatham County.

Public Speaks Out speaker comments were mostly criticism of the council and me related to the actions of the former town manager. They basically stated that everything was our fault and that I, as mayor, should resign for the actions of the former manager.

The first discussion item for staff to prepare a report for the proposed South Hills Municipal Service District was unanimously approved direction by council. The report will be made available to the public, and public hearing will be held in the future.

The second discussion item was about the Walnut Street Parking Deck Gravel lot. When the deck was completed, Cary constructed a gravel parking lot for overflow and construction vehicle parking on adjacent property owned by Academy Park Commercial LLC. Per the amendment to the Downtown Development Project Agreement with Academy Park Commercial LLC approved by Council June 26, 2025, Cary is permitted to maintain the gravel lot until a new building is constructed on that site, provided visual and safety upgrades are made. Should Cary not make improvements, per the agreement the lot must be removed by September 11, 2026. The choice was to remove the lot and plant grass or upgrade the lot and continue to allow parking. The council unanimously approved the improvement of the lot and keeping the spaces.

After the regular meeting the council spent three hours in closed session.

Town Manager’s Weekly Report

Russ’s Message

This week, we’re introducing the 311 Snapshot. Moving forward, you’ll see this routinely as a pulse check on case volume and the top case categories we’re seeing. Think of it as a quick look at how citizens interact with staff to keep the Cary machine moving forward.

I also wanted to share a brief heads-up related to this Saturday’s Three Kings Day Parade. N. Academy Street and roads surrounding Town Hall Campus — including Wilkinson Avenue and Ambassador Loop — will be temporarily closed from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. In addition, the parking lot at Herb Young Community Center will be closed from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., but Town Hall Parking Deck access will not be affected.

I’m looking forward to what 2026 has in store for Cary and for the work ahead with all of you. 

Russ

Interim Town Manager

January 8 Work Session

Definitions and examples of EMS call levels

311 Snapshot

311 processed 2,568 new cases this week:

Volume by Contact Method

  • Phone: 1,655
  • Email: 384
  • Web: 260
  • Internal: 188
  • Walk-In: 54
  • Text: 21
  • Social Media: 6

53.86% of cases fell into these top 5 categories:

  • Utility Billing & Services: 604
  • Inspection Scheduling & Status: 264
  • Water Meter Service & Requests: 195
  • Permitting Inquiries & Payments: 192
  • Recycling Inquiries & Pickup: 128

Page-Walker Willow Oak Removal Completed

A large willow oak on the west side of the Page-Walker Arts & History Center was removed earlier this week. Fungal growth identified at the base of the tree prompted multiple assessments, including a higher-level evaluation using specialized equipment to measure internal decay. These assessments confirmed advanced deterioration caused by two fungal pathogens and a high likelihood of failure, with the greatest risk being directed toward the Page-Walker building. The removal was necessary to preserve the historic structure and ensure the well-being of visitors. Looking ahead, staff plan to replant an oak in the same general area this year and are exploring opportunities to reuse salvaged wood for commemorative or public art purposes, honoring the tree’s significance to the campus.

Animal Services Prepare for Upcoming Shelter Closure

The Wake County Animal Shelter will be closed from Jan. 16 to Mar. 2 for repairs and maintenance. The Police Department’s Animal Services team is equipped to manage this temporary closure, having successfully navigated longer closures in the past. During these months, the Animal Services team will prioritize triaging animal-related service calls to explore alternative solutions, reducing unnecessary intakes while still allowing for certain cases that meet criteria. Overall, minimal operational impacts are expected as the Animal Services team relies on its experience and partnerships with the County.

Kwanzaa Celebration

The Arts Center hosted the Cary Kwanzaa Celebration on December 29, honoring African American culture and community. This year’s theme, Honoring Cultural Scholarship and Performance in the Community, included a performance by the SUAH African Dance Theatre. Mayor Pro Tem Lori Bush presented a proclamation designating December 29 as Cary Kwanzaa Celebration Day.

Holiday Season Recap

Community traditions and live performances marked the close of the Christmas season. Nearly 3,000 votes were cast in the 14th Annual Gifting Tree Project, featuring 105 trees decorated by local schools, families, and organizations; the 2025 winners can be found here. In partnership with Douglas Realty, the gifting trees will be reused after the holidays to help rebuild sand dunes along North Carolina’s coast. The Motown holiday show at the Arts Center featured singers and dancers from across the Triangle performing holiday classics alongside Motown favorites, sharing a message of joy, soul, and hope.

Virtual Neighborhood Rezoning Meeting – January 14

The following neighborhood meetings will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 14, at 6:30 p.m.

For more information and to register, please visit the Virtual Neighborhood Rezoning Meeting page.

Important Dates

Zoning Board of Adjustment
Monday, January 12, 6:30 p.m.

Environmental Advisory Board
Tuesday, January 13, 6:00 p.m.

Senior Advisory Board
Wednesday, January 14, 12:00 p.m.

Historic Preservation Commission
Wednesday, January 14, 6:30 p.m.

Greenway Committee
Thursday, January 15, 6:00 p.m.

Q&A on Manager’s Resignation and Other Items

The following questions were addressed on my January 4th blog:

  • Was the $1.3 million in fraud returned to Cary? Yes …
  • Why didn’t you know about the town manager’s behavior?
  • When did you learn about the land purchase to Cary Elementary?

The questions that are new or updated are below.

How could you not know all the things the former manager was doing?

We serve as a board of directors for the organization called Town of Cary and are not involved in its day-to-day operations. We do not maintain offices at Town Hall; our role is to set policy. Our understanding of the organization comes from its performance and from communication provided by staff.

This structure is known as the council–manager form of government and is used by almost all municipalities in North Carolina.

While some may believe that staff report directly to me or that I hold ultimate authority, that is not the case. Staff report to the town manager. I am one of seven council members who collectively have authority over the town manager, town attorney, and town clerk.

The former manager was highly skilled at misleading both staff and council. He would warn staff of drastic council cuts if certain actions were not taken, while selectively sharing different information with individual council members.

Despite this, the organization continues to perform at a high level, and we maintain the highest quality of life with the lowest tax rate in Wake County.

Did I know the book “Top of the Arc” cost the town $150,000?

No.

I am not aware of any current or former council member that new. We were all interviewed for the book and knew he was writing one. There was no reason to believe that the town would pay for a personal endeavor.

Why did you pay the town manager’s severance?

First, he has not been paid severance and will not receive any severance until all terms of his contract are fulfilled. The town entered into an employment agreement with the former town manager in 2016, which provides six months of severance unless he committed a criminal act, a provision that is common in employment contracts nationwide. While his actions were clearly harmful, there is no evidence at this time that he committed a crime.

Under the contract, the severance obligation applies whether he resigned or was terminated. Had the town refused to honor the agreement, the former manager could have pursued legal action and likely still would have been entitled to severance, resulting in additional costs to taxpayers. Prolonged litigation also brought the risk of further harm, including potential false statements or public disparagement of the town and its employees.

At present, there is no indication that his conduct was technically illegal, although the investigation remains ongoing and may provide additional clarity.

While it was difficult to approve payment to someone whose actions caused significant harm, honoring the contract was necessary and represented the most responsible course of action to protect the town’s legal and financial interests.

What changes have you made and will you make?

At the November 20 council meeting, I made a motion, approved by the council, to ensure that all council meetings are streamed and televised. I viewed this as an essential first step toward greater transparency.

Second, the council has eliminated one-on-one meetings. Going forward, informational update meetings with the town manager will include two council members and the mayor, along with three additional staff members. These are referred to as “3 x 4” meetings.

Additional changes will also be implemented in how the budget is reviewed.

Finally, the internal review being conducted by Womble, Bond, and Dickinson is expected to lead to further procedural changes.

Do you have conflicts of interest?

No.

Under North Carolina law, an elected official has a conflict of interest (COI) only when personal financial interests or those of immediate family members conflict with their public duties. When such a conflict exists, the official must refrain from participating in decisions that could provide personal benefit. State law addresses these situations through specific statutes, including G.S. 14-234.3, which governs nonprofit board involvement, and G.S. Chapter 138A, which establishes broader ethical standards for state and local officials. These laws emphasize transparency, disclosure, recusal when appropriate, and avoiding even the appearance of impropriety, particularly in matters involving contracts or quasi-judicial decisions such as zoning.

Despite this well-defined legal framework, The News & Observer has continued to publish stories suggesting that I have a conflict of interest where none exists. Notably, the publication was unable to identify a single currently practicing municipal attorney, of whom there are at least a dozen in Wake County alone, willing to state that my actions constituted a COI. Instead, they relied on commentary from a retired attorney from Durham, who characterized the situation as “sticky.” Further review of her background suggests she is not widely respected among her peers.

It is also worth noting that many elected officials across North Carolina are employed by engineering firms, yet this has not drawn similar scrutiny from The News & Observer. For example, a Johnston County commissioner works for the same firm with which I contract and currently serves as chair of CAMPO (the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization). All CAMPO members are required to complete ethics training and disclose their employment, a standard practice that promotes transparency and accountability.

Unfortunately, The News & Observer appears more focused on advancing a predetermined narrative rather than on accurately presenting the facts. The result is reporting that prioritizes sensationalism over substance, seemingly driven more by generating clicks than by providing fair and balanced coverage.

Here are the facts:

I am the owner of Weinbrecht Consulting LLC and provide government relations support to WithersRavenel under an hourly consulting agreement focused on asset management. I am compensated solely at an hourly rate and do not receive bonuses, commissions, or incentive-based pay. My compensation does not vary based on business outcomes or client activity, and I bill only for the hours worked.

My consulting income from WithersRavenel totaled $24,404 in 2023 and $23,694 in 2024. In 2025, I expect to earn less than $20,000, though my financial summary for the year has not yet been finalized. These amounts are not “fees,” as described in media reports, but represent the cumulative payment of hourly charges for work performed.

Most of my work involves participating in calls with staff from across the country to discuss how to effectively communicate asset management needs to elected officials. In the past several weeks, these calls have included participants from Tennessee, South Carolina, Georgia, Virginia, and Washington state.

Another component of my role is traveling nationally to give presentations, often alongside a past national president of the American Public Works Association (APWA) and occasionally assisting with WithersRavenel’s conference booth. The purpose of the booth is to gather sales leads. In the evenings, the marketing team typically hosts those leads at dinner.

During the 2023 ICMA conference mentioned by the News & Observer, I worked at the booth helping collect sales leads. The marketing team asked me to contact Cary representatives to see if they might be interested in attending the dinner, which I did by email and again on the day of the event. That was my only involvement.

It is disappointing that the News & Observer attempted to imply otherwise. This kind of misleading characterization does little to serve readers and may help explain the outlet’s declining readership.

Mayor’s Mailbox

  • “Dear Honorable Mayor:

I was distressed to hear you were asked to resign at the latest Council meeting.  We are very fortunate to have you as our Mayor! You have worked tirelessly for the Town and led in building Cary into the fine community it is today.  I know the recent breach of faith by the Town Manager was a betrayal of trust of all of us. And I believe honoring the contractual payout is the right decision, avoiding costly litigation.  I have no doubt that you and the Council will fully investigate and learn from the situation, to make the Town of Cary even stronger in the future.  

Again, thank you for all your years of hard work as our Mayor!  I hope you will continue if it’s the right decision for you and your family.”

  • “Must have been pure torture for you!!   I watched on my TV for as long as I could stand it. Most citizens who have followed the chaos Sean caused know where the real problem was.   It’s true there needs to be some changes made & tightening the belt a bit, but you are not to blame for what he did.    Even when Jennifer stepped up to speak I could barely hear her so hopefully she explained a little more clearly how it all unfolded. You have been & are still a great leader both on council and for the citizens of Cary!  Hang in there and have peace knowing many of us support you as well as are happy having Russ. Hugs.”
  • Several other emails of support.
  • A complaint that we allow an ICE facility in Cary. (We have no authority in federal matters).
  • Invitation to several events.
  • A concern about ethics and trust.
  • An interest expressed in being involved in budget discussions.
  • A complaint about getting a building permit.
  • A complaint about leaf pickup.
  • A request for me to resign based on the News and Observer stories.

Next Week

Next week’s activities include staff meetings, a Cary Tennis Classic board meeting, “Muffins with the Mayor” at the Cary Senior Center, and a Red Cross event.

Well, that is all for this week. My next post will be on Sunday, January 18, 2026. Although I have Facebook and Twitter accounts, those are not the best means of communication with me. Please send all Town of Cary questions or comments to Harold.Weinbrecht@carync.gov and email personal comments to augustanat@mindspring.com.