Good people of Cary,

Welcome to July. It’s hard to believe we are halfway through the year!

We have lots to discuss, including the approved town budget, where to catch some fireworks for America’s 250th birthday, and much more.

Quick side note: I am going into surgery next week and report No. 27 will likely be delayed until the following week. Thank you so much for understanding!

Anyway, onto the rest of the report.

Thank you for continuing to support local,

James

Cary Town Council voted last Thursday to approve the town's Fiscal Year 2027 budget, which runs from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027. The $579.6 million spending plan is the first budget under interim town manager Russ Overton, who took over following the investigation into the town's financial management under former town manager Sean Stegall.

Here's what changes for residents starting today, July 1.

Property Taxes

The new property tax rate is 36.75 cents per $100 of assessed value, up 2.75 cents from the current rate of 34 cents. The town says that works out to about $15 more per month for the average homeowner.

Utility and Waste Fees

Solid waste and recycling fees will increase to $28 per month, up $2 from the current rate. Utility rates are going up 4% on the base charge, which works out to about $3.08 more per month for a typical household.

Where the Money Goes

The biggest story in this budget is public safety. The spending plan includes 21 additional police officers, six new 911 operators, and six more firefighters, with total public safety funding topping $111 million, the largest commitment to public safety Cary has made in decades. It also kicks off the design process for two new fire stations in western Cary, an area that has grown significantly in recent years.

Of the total budget, $127.4 million is earmarked for capital projects, more than half of which goes toward maintaining existing parks, streets, and community amenities rather than new construction.

The budget also restores the budget director and internal auditor positions specifically to improve oversight and financial controls, a direct response to the scrutiny the town has faced over its financial management practices.

The Bigger Picture

Overton has framed this as year one of a multi-year plan, meaning residents should expect continued incremental increases in the coming budget cycles as the town works through its staffing and capital investment backlog.

The new budget takes effect today, July 1.

Additional Reading: Town of Cary

This 4th of July is a significant milestone, and celebrations are coming.

Cary's main event kicks off Friday, July 3, from 4 to 10 p.m. at Downtown Cary Park (327 S Academy Street). It's free and includes games, a mist zone, arts and crafts, food trucks, and the Bark Bar serving cold drinks all night. Stick around for an outdoor screening of Independence Day. The Cary Town Band follows up that evening with a patriotic concert at 7:30 p.m. at Cary Arts Center.

The big show happens Saturday, July 4, at Koka Booth Amphitheatre, where the North Carolina Symphony performs patriotic favorites and the night closes out with a fireworks display over Symphony Lake. Fireworks kick off around 9:25 p.m., so plan your evening around that. General admission lawn seating is free and doesn't require a ticket, though a limited number of reserved table seats with parking are available for purchase. Gates open at 3:30 p.m. if you want to stake out a good spot.

If fishing is more your speed, Bond Park hosts its annual Independence Day Fishing Tournament on the 4th, open to anglers of all ages, with registration starting at 7 a.m. and the tournament running from 8 to 11 a.m.

A quick heads up if you're running errands that weekend: Cary Town Hall and most staffed town facilities will be closed Friday, July 4, and community and arts centers close early (5 p.m.) on July 3.

Additional reading: Town of Cary: Independence Day Events | Koka Booth Amphitheatre: Independence Day Celebration | Town of Cary News Release

At the beginning of each month, we provide a list of upcoming events. Here’s July.

July is shaping up to be one of the bigger months on Cary's calendar this year, between the new fiscal year kicking in, a couple of milestone celebrations, and a long stretch of summer programming across town.

Civic stuff

The new town budget officially takes effect today, July 1, bringing the property tax and fee changes covered above. Beyond that, with the public safety hiring push just getting underway (21 new police officers, six 911 operators, and six firefighters), expect to start seeing the effects of that investment play out over the back half of the year.

New on the scene

Keep an eye out downtown. Lloyd's Full Service looks close to opening (more on that above), and toward the end of the month, Juliet Books & Beautiful Things is set to open as downtown Cary's first independent bookstore at 200 Parkthrough St, in the former Tart's Barber Shop space. Owner Marcie Montague, a former SAS Institute and SingleStore exec, named it after Juliet Capulet, and it'll include a mezzanine kids' section with a mural of Juliet's balcony, plus gifts from local makers.

Summer concert series are in full swing

If you like free live music, July is a good month for it. CaryLive! brings The Suitcase Junket to Downtown Cary Park on July 25. The Summer Vibes Music Series stops at Jack Smith Park on July 15 with the Island Time Band. And Bands, Bites & Boats continues at the Bond Park Boathouse on July 10 with Garland Mason. All are free, family friendly, and paired with food trucks and local beer.

Interested in partnering with us? Reach out at [email protected] and let's find something that works for you.

America's 250th Anniversary Patriotic Celebration
What: The Cary Town Band performs a patriotic concert honoring the nation's 250th birthday, part of the lead up to Independence Day.
Where: Cary Arts Center (101 Dry Ave)
When: Fri, July 3 | 7:30 p.m.
More Info

July 3rd Celebration
What: Free games, a mist zone, arts and crafts, food trucks, and the Bark Bar serving drinks all night, capped off with an outdoor screening of Independence Day.
Where: Downtown Cary Park (327 S Academy St)
When: Fri, July 3 | 4-10 p.m.
More Info

Independence Day Fishing Tournament
What: Cary's annual parent and child fishing tournament, open to anglers of all ages, with prizes for the longest and shortest catch in each age group.
Where: Bond Park (801 High House Rd)
When: Sat, July 4 | Registration at 7 a.m., tournament 8-11 a.m.
More Info

Independence Day Concert & Fireworks
What: The North Carolina Symphony performs patriotic favorites, followed by a fireworks display over Symphony Lake. Free general admission lawn seating, no ticket required.
Where: Koka Booth Amphitheatre (8003 Regency Pkwy)
When: Sat, July 4 | Gates open 3:30 p.m., fireworks around 9:25 p.m.
More Info

Sears Farm Road Park is a hidden gem tucked into west Cary, right near the Apex border, and surrounded by neighborhoods.

The six-acre park sits at 5077 Sears Farm Rd, and even though it's on the smaller side, it manages to pack in a lot of variety. There’s a playground, a basketball court, paved walking trails that wind over small hills, and a handful of bench swings scattered around for the grown-ups who'd rather sit than chase.

The real showstopper is the kinetic sculpture in the middle of the park called "Curvaceous Kiss." It's a public art piece that doubles as a play structure, since kids can actually climb on it and move parts of it around.

Nearby, there's also a sunken grass bowl built into the landscape as part of the park's stormwater design, which looks more like an art installation than infrastructure.

If you're there for a picnic, there are shaded circular tables with umbrellas near the playground, plus a covered picnic shelter for bigger groups. The park also connects to the Green Hope School Greenway and Batchelor Branch Greenway, so if you're up for a longer walk, you can keep going well past the park's borders.

Parking is limited (it's a small lot), so street parking nearby is a good backup if you're visiting on a busy day.

📍 5077 Sears Farm Rd, Cary, NC 27519

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