Cary #5 Best Drivers, Moody’s Affirms Cary’s Triple A Bond Rating, GoCary Downtown Loop Suspended, Le Touquet Delegation Visits, and $1 Million Check For Walnut Creek

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!

Cary #5 for Best Drivers

Allstate ranked Cary 5th in the nation for best drivers. Here is what they say about the report:

“Now in its 18th year, the report ranks the 200 largest U.S. cities based on auto insurance claims data and includes insights from Drivewise, available in the Allstate app. Drivewise provides feedback on behaviors such as speeding, braking and phone use to help drivers improve how they drive. Together, the data shows how often crashes occur and highlights behaviors that increase risk, giving drivers actionable ways to stay safer, avoid the costs associated with collisions and help lower their insurance costs over time.”

This is good news especially since we are committed to Vision Zero.

Moody’s Affirms Cary’s Triple A Bond Rating

For the second time this year one of the three major bond rating agencies has given Cary its highest rating. This, once again, acknowledges Cary’s strong financial position. The following is the press release:

Moody’s has affirmed the Town of Cary’s Aaa status, underscoring the Town’s strong financial management and long-term fiscal stability.The affirmation by Moody’s places Cary among a distinct set of communities nationwide that maintain a top-tier credit rating, which helps lower borrowing costs for capital projects such as parks, greenways, streets, public safety facilities, and utility infrastructure that Cary residents rely on and enjoy. 

“Moody’s reaffirming our Aaa status says a lot about the discipline of this organization and staff, as well as Cary’s strong financial position,” said Interim Town Manager Russ Overton. “For decades, our team has taken a steady, careful approach to budgeting and planning. Because of that, Cary’s residents benefit from lower borrowing costs and our ability to keep investing in the projects our community depends on.”

Cary’s Aaa rating reflects a consistent track record of sound budgeting practices, strong financial reserves, and responsible planning that positions the Town to manage growth while maintaining financial stability.

Read more about Cary’s financial stewardship at carync.gov/acfr. To learn about how Cary sells bonds to help pay for important projects, visit https://carync.gov/municipalbonds. 

Driver Shortage Causes GoCary to Suspend Downtown Loop

The GoCary Downtown Loop service has been suspended because of a driver shortage. Here is the press release:

Beginning Thursday, July 9, GoCary’s Downtown Loop (DL) service will be suspended until further notice to help maintain reliable service across the GoCary network. The service change is the result of an ongoing driver shortage and supports GoCary’s efforts to maintain dependable service across the remainder of the transit system.

Other GoCary fixed routes will continue to serve most Downtown Loop stops, providing riders with access to many of the same downtown destinations. Customers who need assistance can contact GoCary Customer Service by calling (919) 485-RIDE (7433).

“We appreciate our riders’ patience and understanding as we make this service adjustment,” said Transit Director Kelly Blazey. “We’re committed to keeping customers informed and encouraging them to use GoCary.org or the GoCary app to plan their trips and stay up to date on the latest service information.”  

In addition to other GoCary routes serving most Downtown Loop stops, more than 2,000 free public parking spaces, including four parking decks, are available throughout downtown. For parking information and maps, visit carync.gov/parking. GoCary is actively recruiting bus operators and encourages interested applicants to apply.

Cary Introduces Fee-Based Public EV

Beginning August 1st users of Cary’s Public EV charging stations will be paying. Here is the press release:

Beginning August 1, electric vehicle (EV) drivers using Cary-owned public EV charging stations will transition to a fee-based charging model to support the long-term reliability and maintenance of the Town’s growing public charging network. The new fee structure comes as EV adoption continues to accelerate both locally and across the Triangle. From 2024 to 2025, the number of registered electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles in Cary grew by 29%. Today, more than 6,200 electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles are registered in Cary, and demand for public charging continues to grow.

Charging fees will be based on the amount of electricity used, at a rate of $0.20 per kilowatt-hour (kWh). To encourage turnover and keep charging stations available for other drivers, an idle fee of $10 per hour will apply after three hours of charging, following a 15-minute grace period. The idle fee is in addition to the charging rate, and the maximum daily charge is $100. For drivers, the charging experience will remain familiar. Users will continue to access and pay for charging via their smartphones, just as they do with many other public charging networks throughout the region.

“Electric vehicles are becoming an increasingly common part of everyday life in Cary,” said Energy Manager Sara Caliendo. “This transition helps ensure our public charging network remains reliable, accessible, and financially sustainable as more residents and visitors choose electric transportation.”

Charging fees will help offset the costs of electricity, software, routine maintenance, repairs, and future equipment replacement while supporting continued investment in Cary’s public charging infrastructure. Cary currently maintains 65 public charging ports located at parks, parking decks, and other community destinations.

The move also aligns Cary with neighboring communities and industry standards, where fee-based public charging has become the norm. By encouraging turnover at charging stations, the new model is expected to improve charger availability and reduce long-term occupancy of charging spaces.

Most EV owners complete the majority of their charging at home or at work, making Cary’s public charging network an important supplemental resource for convenient “top-off” charging while visiting parks, downtown destinations, community centers, and other public spaces.

The transition supports Cary’s Sustainability & Climate Action Strategy by helping maintain dependable infrastructure that encourages cleaner transportation options while ensuring public resources are managed responsibly. It also complements Cary’s broader Green Fleet initiative, which continues to expand the use of alternative fuel vehicles and innovative technologies to reduce emissions while maintaining high-quality municipal services.

“Cary is committed to building a transportation system that is both sustainable and resilient,” Caliendo said. “A reliable public charging network is an important part of that vision, and this update helps position us to support the needs of our growing EV community for years to come.”

EV drivers can visit carync.gov/evcharging webpage to:

  • View the new charging rates
  • Find public charging locations
  • Learn how to access charging stations
  • Review frequently asked questions about the transition

Housing Information from Howard Hanna Allen Tate

The Broker in Charge from Howard Hanna Allen Tate provided the latest residential real estate data for Cary from the June 2026 Doorify MLS market review. The following numbers show the performance of single-family homes, townhomes, and condos combined in our town compared to last year and last month:

  • Median Sales Price: $645,000 (up 3.4% compared to June 2025, and up 2.4% from May 2026).
  • Closed Sales: 223 homes (up 17.4% year-over-year, and up 14.4% month-over-month).
  • Median Days on Market: 10 days (down 16.7% year-over-year, but up 66.7% month-over-month).
  • List Price Received: 99.8% (up 0.5% year-over-year, but down 0.4% month-over-month).
  • Median Sold Price per Square Foot: $268 (up 0.4% year-over-year, and up 2.1% month-over-month).
  • New Listings: 258 properties (up 10.3% year-over-year, and up 1.6% month-over-month).
  • Active Inventory: 399 available properties (down 4.8% year-over-year, and down 1.2% from last month).
  • Months Supply of Inventory: 1.8 months (down 18.9% year-over-year, and down 13.6% month-over-month).

Presentation to Sister City Le Touquet Delegation

Monday afternoon, I joined Council Member Craig in welcoming visitors from our sister city, Le Touquet. The delegation included the mayor, city staff, and more than 20 teenagers accompanied by chaperones.

To make the trip possible, the students spent two years raising funds, with a portion of their efforts matched by their government.

During the presentation, I provided an overview of our local government structure and shared demographic information about our community. The students from Le Touquet also gave a presentation highlighting the initiatives of their youth, including several environmental projects and sustainability efforts.

Next year, I will be traveling to Le Touquet with members of Cary Sister Cities to celebrate the 35th anniversary of our partnership. In case you’re wondering, my trip will be funded without the use of taxpayer dollars.

Sister City Le Touquet Reception

Later Monday evening, our Sister Cities organization hosted a reception to welcome the mayor and the student delegation from Le Touquet. I joined the mayor in offering welcoming remarks, and we exchanged commemorative gifts. Members of both the Cary Sister Cities organization and the Le Touquet delegation also shared remarks during the reception.

Check Presentation for Over $1 Million from Congresswoman Ross

On Tuesday, I joined five members of the Town Council and Congresswoman Ross for a check presentation ceremony celebrating more than $1 million in federal funding to support the restoration and stabilization of Walnut Creek, beginning at Downtown Cary Park. During the ceremony, remarks were delivered by Assistant Town Manager Widmar, Wake County Chairman Mial, Congresswoman Ross, and me. The following are my remarks:

“Thank you, Congresswoman Ross, Chairman Mial, our partners from Wake County, the EPA, and everyone who has joined us today.

On behalf of the Cary Town Council and our community, I want to express our sincere gratitude for this investment in the Walnut Creek Stabilization and Restoration Project. We are honored to receive this funding, and even more grateful for the partnerships that made it possible.

One of the things I appreciate most about this project is that it demonstrates government working the way it should. Walnut Creek begins here in Cary, but it doesn’t stop at our town limits. It flows into Raleigh and through communities that all share the same watershed.

Flooding, water quality, and environmental stewardship don’t recognize municipal boundaries, so solving these challenges requires all levels of government to work together.

Today’s investment is a great example of that collaboration. Federal leadership helped secure the funding. Wake County and regional partners have been committed to the overall success of our area as well. Our staff has worked diligently to identify opportunities that improve water quality, restore natural habitat, reduce flooding, and protect critical  

infrastructure. Together, we are making investments that will benefit not only today’s residents, but generations to come.

This project also reflects Cary’s long-standing commitment to thoughtful environmental stewardship. By restoring stream banks, expanding vegetation, and creating opportunities for future greenways and trails, we are improving the health of Walnut Creek while creating a more resilient and connected community.

To Congresswoman Ross, thank you for your leadership and advocacy. We are proud to accept this funding and look forward to putting it to work for our residents, our environment, and everyone who calls the Walnut Creek watershed home. Thank you.”

Here is the town’s press release of the event:

Congresswoman Deborah Ross visited Cary today to present the Town of Cary with a ceremonial check recognizing $1,092,000 in federal funding for the Walnut Creek Stabilization and Restoration Project.

Secured through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency‘s State and Tribal Assistance Grants Program during the Community Project Funding process, the award is one of multiple federal grants supporting Cary’s broader Walnut Creek Stormwater Management Project. Combined with additional EPA funding, Town investment, and in-kind services, the project represents approximately $4 million in federal support for restoring one of Cary’s most important waterways.

The Walnut Creek Stormwater Management Project is a long-term initiative focused on improving the health and stability of the Walnut Creek watershed. Walnut Creek is a federally designated impaired stream, making restoration efforts critical to improving water quality and reducing erosion.

Project improvements include stabilizing streambanks, restoring riparian buffers, and revegetating disturbed areas to strengthen the stream corridor and improve ecological health. The work will also help protect critical public infrastructure, including sanitary sewer lines located near the stream.

By improving conditions at the headwaters of Walnut Creek, Cary is helping protect water quality downstream while serving as a responsible upstream partner. Restoring native vegetation and preserving natural floodplain functions will also provide habitat for wildlife and pollinators while strengthening the watershed’s long-term resilience.

“This project reflects the kind of thoughtful, long-term planning our community expects,” said Assistant Town Manager Danna Widmar. “By investing in the health of Walnut Creek today, we’re protecting water quality, strengthening our natural environment, and safeguarding critical infrastructure so Cary remains one of the best places to live for generations to come. We’re grateful for Congresswoman Ross’s partnership in helping us move this work forward.”

Leveraging federal grant funding allows Cary to maximize local taxpayer investment while advancing large-scale environmental restoration projects that might otherwise take significantly longer to complete.

Construction will occur in phases over the coming years as design and restoration work progress.

We are so grateful to receive this money for such an important environmental project. Thanks to Congresswoman Ross who continues to advocate for Cary and surrounding communities.

Soul Saving Station’s 84th Convocation Welcome

Wednesday evening, I was scheduled to welcome attendees to the Soul Saving Station’s 84th Annual Holy Convocation, which was held in Cary. Unfortunately, I mistakenly had the event on my calendar an hour earlier than its actual start time. As a result, I wasn’t able to deliver my welcome remarks, but I did have the opportunity to visit with several pastors and the presiding bishop. I hope they had a wonderful and meaningful convocation. I invited them back for next year’s convocation.

Sister City Le Touquet Youth Delegation Picnic

Later Wednesday evening, I joined the Cary Sister Cities organization for a picnic honoring the Le Touquet delegation. It was a wonderful opportunity to spend time with our guests in a more informal setting.

I especially enjoyed a 20-minute conversation with several of the students about politics, local government, and the role their generation can play in shaping the future. It was an engaging and thoughtful discussion, and I was impressed by their curiosity, insight, and level of interest.

I look forward to seeing my friends from the Le Touquet delegation again next year when I visit their community.

Town Manager’s Report

Council,

Hope everyone had a great Fourth of July week. It’s good to be back at work and start the new fiscal year.

This week, we shared the great news that Moody’s affirmed Cary’s Aaa bond rating. It reflects the strong financial stewardship and thoughtful planning that have served Cary well for many years.

I hope you all have a great weekend and find a little time to enjoy it.

Russ Overton

Interim Town Manager

7/6/2026 Water Update

As regional rainfall has been below normal, Cary is actively monitoring the developing dry conditions and taking action to respond. This report will provide a status update, context, and a summary of actions taken. Future updates will be issued as changing conditions warrant action.

311 Monthly Snapshot

311 processed 11,233new cases in June.

Volume By Contact Method

  • Phone: 6,890
  • Email: 1,588
  • Web: 1,381
  • Internal: 720
  • Walk-In: 236
  •  Text: 364
  • Social Media: 54

52.9% Fell in these top five categories

  • Utility Billing & Services: 2,538
  • Inspection Scheduling & Status: 1,379
  • Permitting Inquiries & Payments: 850
  • Water Meter Service & Requests: 687
  • Garbage Inquiries & Pickup: 485

Ceremonial Check Presentation for Walnut Creek

Congresswoman Deborah Ross visited Cary on Tuesday to present a ceremonial check recognizing $1,092,000 in federal funding for the Walnut Creek Stabilization & Revegetation Project. The award is one of several federal grants supporting Cary’s broader Walnut Creek Stormwater Management Project, which is leveraging approximately $4 million in grant funding alongside Cary investment and in-kind services. The multi-year project will stabilize streambanks, restore riparian buffers, revegetate disturbed areas, improve water quality, and protect critical public infrastructure.

Cedar Street Parking Deck Stairway Closure

As contractors complete the final punch list for the Cedar Street Parking Deck project, portions of Stair 1, which provides access to E. Chatham Street, will be repainted. To accommodate this closeout work, Stair 1 will be closed nightly from 9:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. Monday, July 13, through Thursday, July 16. During the closures, parking areas will remain accessible via the elevator or Stair 2, which provides access to E. Cedar Street.

Crest Road Asphalt Repair Complete

This week, staff, in partnership with a paving contractor, completed road paving and repair work on Crest Road. The project included full-depth reclamation to address deterioration beneath the pavement. During this process, a cement-based stabilizing material was mixed into the existing roadway foundation to strengthen the subgrade before the new asphalt surface was installed, creating a smoother and more durable driving surface.

Independence Day Celebration at Koka Booth

More than 8,200 residents and visitors gathered at Koka Booth Amphitheatre on July 4 to celebrate Independence Day and commemorate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

When forecasted heat index values exceeded 100 degrees, staff quickly adjusted the evening’s schedule by condensing the program and delaying gate opening to create a more comfortable experience for attendees, performers, and staff. The celebration featured an original poem, “An Ode to NC 250”, by North Carolina Poet Laureate Jaki Shelton Green, followed by “Well, I Declare: America at 250”, a performance by actor Mike Wiley and musician Dawn Landes. The evening concluded with an extended fireworks display over Symphony Lake.

Cary Tennis Classic Recap

Last week, the Tennis Park hosted the Cary Tennis Classic professional tennis tournament, welcoming more than 2,500 spectators throughout the week. Due to extreme heat and newly implemented player heat rules, much of the schedule was adjusted to early morning and evening matches.

In partnership with the United States Tennis Association North Carolina (USTA NC) and the Western Wake Tennis Association (WWTA), the tournament hosted several community events throughout the week. Tuesday featured a Try Tennis event and wheelchair clinic, Wednesday included an Abilities Tennis event for participants with intellectual disabilities, Thursday welcomed families for Kids Day, and Friday concluded with the Charity Classic benefiting Transitions LifeCare.

The tournament concluded with men’s and women’s singles and doubles championship matches, marking another successful week of professional tennis and community programming at the Cary Tennis Park.

Community and Coffee: A Healthy Homes Conversation

On June 24, staff welcomed more than a dozen seniors to Community & Coffee: A Healthy Homes Conversation at the Senior Center. Alongside Preserving Home CEO Dan Sargent, staff shared information about Healthy Homes Cary, Cary’s home repair program for low- and moderate-income homeowners that helps residents age in place by preserving safe and sanitary housing, correcting hazardous structural conditions, improving energy efficiency, and increasing accessibility for people with disabilities. While the program is available to eligible homeowners of all ages, more than 75% of participants have been seniors. The event gave residents an opportunity to connect directly with program leaders, ask questions, and learn more about available resources.

Maynard Tank Class of 2027

Having closed the books on another successful graduation season, the Maynard Road Elevated Water Storage Tank now proudly welcomes the Class of 2027. On July 7, contractors climbed 138 feet to the catwalk to install the new class year, continuing a cherished Cary tradition.

Important Dates

Environmental Advisory Board
Tuesday, July 14
6:00 p.m.

Human Relations, Inclusion, & Diversity Advisory Board
Tuesday, July 14
6:00 p.m.

Public Art Advisory Board
Wednesday, July 15
6:15 p.m.

Council Initiated Items

The council has a process that allows members to introduce items for discussion at meetings, often leading to further action. Given the recent increase in these requests, I will begin sharing them here along with my perspective on their pros and cons.

Temporary moratorium on Data Centers

This proposal was submitted by Mayor Pro-Tem Bush, and I provided the second. It was brought up at the May 28th Council meeting. It will come back to council after the staff has gathered information.

Data centers are centralized facilities that house IT equipment for storing, processing, and distributing massive amounts of data. While they are the vital backbone of the modern internet and AI, they also pose notable environmental and community challenges by requiring massive amounts of electricity and millions of gallons of water. This proposal would direct staff to put a moratorium on data center approvals.

PROS:

  • They generate significant long-term property and sales tax revenue for local municipalities, often offsetting the need to raise taxes on residents.
  • They provide the essential computing power required to run the cloud, stream media, and train heavy AI models.
  • Modern facilities offer unparalleled uptime, physical security, and disaster recovery protections for critical business information.
  • Unlike large manufacturing plants or warehouses, operational data centers generate minimal daily traffic and produce very little localized air pollution.

CONS:

  • We may not have authority to permanently prohibit them.
  • They demand immense amounts of electricity and millions of gallons of water for cooling, which can strain local utility grids and drive-up energy costs for surrounding communities.
  • Unless heavily offset by renewable energy sources, heavy reliance on power can prolong the use of fossil fuel plants and contribute to electronic waste.
  • The constant operation of high-powered cooling fans and backup generators can create significant, round-the-clock noise disturbances for nearby residents.
  • While construction creates many temporary jobs, fully operational data centers typically require very few on-site staff, delivering fewer permanent local jobs than other large-scale developments.

Partnering with the school board to pilot school zone safety improvements

This proposal was submitted by Council Member Bansal, and I provided the second. It was brought up at the May 28th Council meeting.

Several schools in Cary, particularly middle schools and high schools, are experiencing transportation safety concerns on and around school property. While the schools are responsible for transportation operations on campus and NCDOT oversees roadway infrastructure decisions, progress on improvements has been slow and resident complaints have continued to increase. This proposal would direct staff to work collaboratively with the schools on programs and strategies to help address these concerns.

PROS:

  • Allows the Town to take a more proactive role, even when we are not the primary decision-maker.
  • Responds to growing community concerns regarding school transportation safety.

CONS:

  • The Town is currently understaffed, so this effort could require shifting staff resources away from other projects.
  • Potential solutions could result in additional costs to taxpayers if Cary contributes funding toward implementation.

E-Bike Safety

This proposal was submitted by Council Members Bansal and Richards and presented at the April 16th meeting. It was part of our June 23rd work session.

The council initially launched a pilot program in June 2022 to allow e-bikes. After a one-year trial period, the program was made permanent, with a posted speed limit of 15 mph on greenways. Recently, however, there have been complaints that e-bikes, scooters, and similar devices are traveling at excessive speeds and creating potentially hazardous conditions.

PROS:

  • We are listening to our citizens’ complaints.
  • Preventing e-bikes and scooters will possibly make greenways safer.

CONS:

  • There is basically no way to enforce an ordinance that has e-bikes or not.
  • Any enforcement effort would require additional officers and officers’ time. We are currently underfunding officers and require overtime to maintain existing levels of service.
  • We are revisiting a decision that was made after a one-year trial and review of data.

Council will vote on a draft ordinance of this later this year.

Smoke Free Ordinance

This proposal was submitted by Mayor Pro-Tem Bush and Council Member Craig and presented at the April 16th meeting. It was part of our June 23rd work session.

PROS:

  • Eliminates toxic secondhand smoke.
  • Current ordinance does not match state law and Raleigh/Wake ordinance.

CONS:

  • Any enforcement effort would require additional officers and officers’ time. We are currently underfunding officers and require overtime to maintain existing levels of service.

Council will vote on options to add to the current ordinance later this year.

Affordable Housing on Old Library Site

This proposal, submitted by Mayor Pro Tem Bush and Council Member Bansal, would place a podium-style parking deck with affordable housing on the former library site. This has yet to be scheduled for a meeting agenda.

PROS:

  • Adds parking across from Downtown Cary Park.
  • Create affordable housing units in the downtown area.

CONS:

  • May underutilize one of the municipality’s most valuable properties. Downtown Cary Park generates approximately $16 million annually in economic impact, and this site could represent an opportunity for a more transformative use.
  • The town has already invested millions in renovating the Ivey-Ellington House, positioning this area as a premier destination.

How Cary Government Works

Cary’s government, like most cities in North Carolina and most mid-sized cities in the U.S., uses a council–manager form of government. This system works a lot like a company, but for local government. Residents elect a council and a mayor, who set policy by passing laws, approving the budget, and guiding the town’s overall priorities. The council then hires a professional manager to run the town’s day-to-day operations.

Think of it like a company: the council acts like a board of directors, making policy and representing the public, while the city manager acts like a CEO, overseeing all departments, such as finance, public works, police, and fire, and managing town staff. The mayor leads council meetings, represents the town publicly, and has limited executive authority. While the council and mayor make policy decisions and receive regular reports, they usually see only high-level summaries rather than the detailed inner workings of each department.

In short, just as a board hires a CEO to run a company, Cary’s council hires a manager to run the town, ensuring professional management while elected officials focus on big-picture decisions and community priorities.

You can find additional information about how Cary’s government works on the town’s website here.

Mayor’s Mailbox

  • A complaint about our ordinance to control Bamboo
  • A complaint about the Searstone rezoning proposal 24-REZ-02
  • A request to hang additional American flags along North Academy Street and the Downtown Cary Park
  • Thanks for funding the Historic Preservation Master Plan in the budget
  • Complaints about the Raleigh Housing Authority’s attempt to buy Amberwood apartments
  • A concern expressed about the recent ICE shooting
  • A complaint from Terry’s Floor Fashions about property taxes
  • A complaint about protesters on South Academy on Saturday

Next Week

Next week’s activities include staff meetings, and the Cary Chamber Leadership Conference.

Well, that is all for this week. My next post will be on Sunday, July 19th, 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.