Skip to page body Home Recreation & Enjoyment Services & Publications Projects & Initiatives Business & Development Mayor & Council Connect & Engage

August 2014


[view as pdf]

Past Issues

Utility Rates to Rise

New Budget Approved

School's In, Speed's Out

Build Cultural Bridges

Simplifying Our Development Services

Make Your Choices Online

Marvelous Music is Back

Less Water for Healthy Turf

Watch Cary TV 11

Bugs are Back

Hot Tips: No Vacation from Fire Safety

Cultural Connection

Recognizing Hometown Spirit 

 

 

BUD Bits



Utility Rates to Rise


   As part of the Town’s new Fiscal Year budget, beginning August 14, Cary utility rates will rise 3.5%. That’s about $2.21 more per month for residents using 4,500 gallons of water.  The increase is necessary to pay for our community’s share of expanding and improving the Cary/Apex Water Treatment Plant, which turns water from Jordan Lake into the safe, reliable and tasty drinking water we all enjoy. 
“Utility Service Fees” at www.townofcary.org

New Budget Approved


  With the lowest property tax in Wake County, the Cary Town Council approved a $261 million FY2015 budget to keep Cary one of the greatest places to live, work and raise a family.
   The work and management plan is a conservative approach to funding core municipal services; it dedicates $209 million to support operations and $51 million to fund capital projects. Funded projects of note include the Cary Tennis Park Renovation and Expansion; Morrisville Parkway Extension; extending C-Tran service hours; and resurfacing 25 miles of Town-owned streets.
   To develop this year’s budget, Town Manager Ben Shiver implemented Priority Based Budgeting - a tool to help align proposed projects and initiatives with Town Council goals in key functional areas.
   The adopted budget funds 25.5 new or expanding positions, including: six police officers for a new patrol beat in northwestern Cary; a Code Enforcement Chief; a Zoning Compliance Officer; a Wastewater Systems Technician; and converting the Therapeutic Recreation Specialist to a full-time position. With these positions, the Town’s total staff is just 1,222 or about 8.2 staff per 1,000 Cary residents—one of the lowest staff-to-citizen ratios in the state and still less than Cary’s FY2007 ratio, even though over 30,000 people have moved to and required services from Cary since then.
   As in the past, this year’s budget preparation declared February as Budget Public Input Month. Nearly 90 citizens participated, a level nearly double the average number of participation since Fiscal Year 2006. The Town Council held work sessions on May 22 and June 12 to review and discuss the budget as well as public hearings at each of its regular Council meetings on May 22 and June 12.
   North Carolina law requires local governments to adopt a balanced budget by June 30 since the new fiscal year starts July 1.
   The adopted budget is available at Town Hall, at public libraries and on the Town’s website.
“Budget” at www.townofcary.org l (919) 469-4007

School’s In, Speed’s Out


School is back in session! Students following year-round calendars returned to the classroom last month, and on August 25, traditional calendar schools will open their doors for the school year.
   As students head back to school, Cary Police are reminding motorists to pay special attention to speed limits in school zones. Allow for additional travel time to adjust for a heavier-than-normal traffic flow. Remember to follow the instructions of our school crossing guards, and be on the alert for pedestrians in the street.
  When sharing the road with buses, leave extra room between your car and the bus. Stop if you are behind a bus when the crossing arm is extended and when facing the bus on a street without a median.
   Patient  drivers  are  safer 
drivers!
“Traffic Safety Team” at www.townofcary.org l (919) 469-4338

Build Cultural Bridges


   The 2014 Citizen Diplomacy Summit will be held on September 11 from 7-9 p.m. at The Cary. Citizen diplomacy is the concept that through everyday interactions with people from other countries and cultures, we can all forge positive relationships “one handshake at a time.”
  This year’s summit will feature screenings of award-winning videos with the theme of “Building Cultural Bridges” in addition to a lively interactive discussion.
  Due to limited seating, registration is recommended.
(919) 460-4971

Simplifying Our Development Services


    Do you do business with our Planning or Inspections and Permits departments? Then you’ll notice some exciting changes over the next weeks and months!
 As part of our organizational restructuring effort, a new division, Development Support, has been created to better serve citizens and customers as they work with our Planning Department and Inspections and Permits Department.
   Here’s some of what you can expect:
• One number to call: (919) 469-4046.
• One place to visit: The Development Customer Support Center, on the first floor of Town Hall, 316 N. Academy Street, serves our walk-in customers and receives all development-related applications and submissions.
• Help for small businesses:  Our new Development Liaison Service focuses on the success of our small business customers by advising and guiding them through the development process.
• Better customer experience: We’ve examined all of our development processes to look for ways to better offer quick, accurate and friendly service.
   The new Development  Support  Division  offers a true one-stop  shop for  those who develop or build in Cary.
“Development Support” at www.townofcary.org l (919) 380-2762


Make Your Choices Online


   Did you miss last month’s Imagine Cary Community Choices Workshops? Don’t despair!  It’s not too late to look into the future and share how you see Cary in the year 2040.  Where will you live?  Where will you work?  Where will you shop and dine? What will western Cary look like? You can answer these and many other questions, and view all of the meeting materials in our Online Engagement Event available in August on the Imagine Cary website, www.imaginecary.org.
   Imagine Cary is an opportunity for everyone who cares about Cary to assess our community today, understand choices for the future and suggest policies.
www.imaginecary.org


Marvelous Music is Back


   Come to downtown Cary and be a part of six incredible evenings of entertainment at the Cary Arts Center through the Marvelous Music Mainstage Series.
   Season tickets are on sale now for this popular series that showcases a variety of emerging and nationally acclaimed touring artists, like the Artie Shaw Orchestra, the Annie Moses Band and much, much more!
  Purchase your tickets at the Cary Arts Center Box Office.
“Marvelous Music Series” at www.townofcary.org


Recognizing Hometown Spirit


   We’re looking for nominations for our Hometown Spirit Award.
 Do you know a Cary citizen who is at least 21 years old who deserves to be recognized for his/her leadership and respect for others?
   Nominees should help out neighbors, demonstrate hospitality and small town values, support local businesses, promote a sense of community and display patriotism.
   Applications will be accepted through September 8th. The winner will be selected in October and recognized at the November Town Council meeting.
“Hometown Spirit Award” at www.townofcary.org


Less Water for Healthy Turf


On days you water your yard, try watering multiple times per day for shorter durations. For example, instead of irrigating for 12 minutes straight, water only 5 minutes, let it soak in, and then water another 5 minutes. Your yard will better absorb the water and you’ll save extra minutes of watering. 
“Beat The Peak” at www.townofcary.org


Watch Cary TV 11


  Watch your Town government at work on Time Warner Cable Channel 11, AT&T U-verse Channel 99, live streaming of meetings and on the Town’s YouTube channel. Click the Cary TV 11 logo on www.townofcary.org.


Bugs Are Back


   Last month, we retreated our 235 hemlock trees at Hemlock Bluffs after third-party testing found a small but significant presence of the Hemlock Woolly Adelgid.
   The bugs made their first appearance at the Bluffs in 2010, and with meticulous upkeep, we’ve kept them at bay for twice as long as treatment originally projected.
  This month, we’re asking you to check Hemlock trees on your property for signs of the decimating insect.
“Hemlock Woolly Adelgid” at www.townofcary.org


Hot Tips: No Vacation From Fire Safety


   We all have a list of items to not forget when we’re going on vacation: camera, extra cash and suntan lotion. But one thing you can’t forget is fire safety.
   Make sure your hotel has a built-in smoke detection and sprinkler system. Take a flashlight with fresh batteries with you. If there’s a fire or the power goes out, you may need it to find your way out. Read the fire safety and evacuation instructions posted on the back of your hotel room door. If the alarm sounds, leave if it is safe to do so, but be sure to take your room key with you in case fire blocks your escape and you need to re-enter your room. Never use an elevator in a fire.
“Fire Safety” at www.townofcary.org


Cultural Connection


Pickin’ in the Pines Bluegrass Series (Wednesdays in Sept., 5:30 p.m., Koka Booth Amphitheatre). Free. (919) 462-2025.

Seven O’clock Rock Series: Rock & Blues Night (Sept. 5, 7 p.m., intersection of Academy & Chatham Street). Free. (919) 469-4061.

Cary Eid Festival (Sept. 6, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Downtown Cary Performance Green). Free. (919) 460-3963.

Fall Sertoma Series: Raining Cats and Dogs (Sept. 12, 7:30 p.m., Sertoma Amphitheater at Bond Park). Free. (919) 847-8806.

Downtown  Performers Series: Tea Cup Gin (Sept. 12, 7 p.m., Downtown Cary Performance Green). Free. (919) 469-4061.

Kim Wempe (Sept. 20, 2 p.m. at Sertoma Amphitheatre in Bond Park, 7 p.m. at Downtown Cary Performance Green). Free. (919) 469-4069.

Visit www.townofcary.org  and on Twitter @TOC_Fun for more


BUD Bits


Although Town offices will close September 1 for Labor Day, your solid waste, yard waste and recycling will be collected as regularly scheduled. Our Citizens Convenience Center will remain open on Labor Day from 8 a.m.-6 p.m.  “Holiday Collection” at www.townofcary.org

Don’t forget: Lazy Daze Arts & Crafts Festival is August 23 in downtown Cary. “Lazy Daze” at www.townofcary.org

C-Tran now offers longer service hours! Ride Monday-Saturday from 6 a.m.-10 p.m. “C-Tran” at www.townofcary.org l (919)462-2080