Holly Springs, NC, Sep. 11, 2026 — Holly Springs Town Council will hold a public hearing Sept. 15th on its 22-step Affordable Housing Action Plan (document) that proposes incentives for qualifying developments, faster approval processes and new programs for existing homeowners.

The plan comes as home prices continue to rise. Sale prices in Holly Springs have increased 59% since 2019, according to the plan, and the town’s 2025 median sale price for a single-family home was $565,000, well above what a household earning the area’s median income can afford.

The proposal grew out of a 2023 Housing Affordability Study prepared by consultants HR&A. That study identified housing challenges, but the council never adopted it, and it stopped short of recommending specific actions. Council revived the issue earlier this year and directed staff to turn the earlier work into an action plan.

Nine months later, staff presented the 22-step proposal during council’s Sept. 8th council workshop. Unlike the earlier study, the town developed the action plan in-house, which Town Manager Randy Harrington said saved the town an estimated $250,000.

What does “affordable” mean?

One unresolved issue surfaced during the workshop when a council member noted that Holly Springs has never formally defined what it considers affordable housing. The council member pointed to a mixed-income development in nearby Garner, where Habitat for Humanity purchased and resold some homes within an otherwise market-rate development, as an example of how affordable housing can take different forms.

Even if Holly Springs settles on a definition, however, state law limits what the town can require from developers. The town attorney told council that municipalities cannot base zoning decisions on anticipated home sale prices and said the General Assembly has been moving toward making that restriction more explicit.

As a result, the town’s strategy largely relies on incentives rather than requirements. Holly Springs can make qualifying projects easier or less expensive to develop, but it cannot require a builder to sell homes at a particular price as a condition of zoning approval.

What’s in the plan

The 22 actions fall into three areas: improving access and outreach, creating programs and policies, and building the town’s capacity to administer housing programs.

The first includes an expanded housing resources webpage, a network of housing partners, and a Housing Advisory Group. The group would initially use the town’s existing Land Use Advisory Committee, then expand to include additional community stakeholders.

The second includes some of the plan’s more substantial proposals. Holly Springs would develop an affordable housing incentive zoning policy and an expedited approval process intended to reduce average development review times from about 18 months to 12 months for qualifying projects. A pilot rehabilitation and repair grant program would assist existing homeowners.

The third focuses on the town’s ability to carry out the work. Holly Springs is hiring a planner who would work on housing issues and plans to pursue additional grant funding, including through Wake County. The town currently has no staff member dedicated specifically to housing programs.

Who would the plan serve?

The incentive zoning policy is targeted for the plan’s first year. Before adopting it, the town would determine the income levels it wants to serve, identify where to encourage affordable housing, and decide which incentives and fees should apply. An annual report would track the results.

Staff placed the area’s median income at about $132,300 for a four-person household. Senior Planner Sarah Lipkin-Sularz cautioned that the regional figure can be misleading given local housing costs, noting that Holly Springs is among the few Wake County communities where home prices are still increasing.

The plan initially focuses on households earning between 30% and 80% of area median income, although some programs could reach households earning up to 100%. Staff said serving households below 30%, particularly unhoused residents, generally requires resources and staffing beyond what Holly Springs can provide on its own.

Council members also asked how large housing developments outside Holly Springs factor into the town’s planning and whether regional construction could affect how much additional housing will ultimately be needed. Staff said it is already tracking regional growth and housing trends and will continue to consider them as the plan moves forward.

What happens next

The public hearing is scheduled for Sept. 15th, with possible adoption in October. If council decides the proposal needs more work, staff can instead revise it and return to the October workshop.

If adopted, work on the incentive zoning policy would begin in the first year, followed by the expedited approval process in year two and the pilot rehabilitation and repair grant program in year three, subject to funding.

Town Council Business Meeting

Date: September 15, 2026
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: Town Hall, 128 S Main St, Holly Springs, NC 27540
Directions: Click here

Holly Springs, NC, Sep. 3, 2026 — Holly Springs Fire Rescue has retained its Class 1 rating from the Insurance Services Office (ISO), the highest rating available under the system used to evaluate fire protection capabilities in communities across the country.

Fire Chief LeRoy Smith presented the results to the Holly Springs Town Council on September 1st, telling council members that roughly 388 of more than 40,000 fire departments nationwide have achieved the Class 1 designation.

The rating can affect more than the department’s standing among its peers. Insurance companies may use ISO ratings when setting property insurance rates, meaning a strong rating can help homeowners and businesses receive more favorable premiums, depending on the insurer and policy.

Holly Springs received 49.03 of 50 possible points for the fire department portion of this year’s evaluation. Smith said the town’s overall evaluation score was 100.6, up from 96 when it was last inspected in 2018. He compared the result to earning extra credit on a school grading scale, although that is his characterization rather than a separate ISO designation.

The inspection was conducted in May after originally being scheduled for March. State Department of Insurance evaluators spent a week in Holly Springs reviewing the town’s fire protection capabilities before the findings were submitted to ISO for validation.

The review came as Holly Springs continues to grow both in population and in the complexity of the properties firefighters are responsible for protecting. The town has grown from about 36,500 residents at the time of the 2018 inspection to nearly 52,000 today.

Smith also pointed to the growth of large industrial and institutional facilities, including Fujifilm, Amgen and UNC Rex, as well as Genentech’s planned Holly Springs operation. Those facilities place different demands on fire protection and the town’s water infrastructure than traditional residential and commercial development.

The Class 1 rating is not based solely on the fire department. Town Manager Randy Harrington said fire department capabilities account for 50% of the evaluation, while the water system accounts for 40% and emergency communications make up the remaining 10%.

That made the inspection a townwide effort. Evaluators examined water availability for some of Holly Springs’ larger buildings, performed hydraulic studies and tested fire hydrant pressure as part of the review. Utilities and infrastructure employees therefore played a direct role in the final rating alongside Fire Rescue and emergency communications personnel.

Maintaining that performance as Holly Springs continues to develop will require additional investment, particularly in the town’s water system, Smith said. Larger residential developments and industrial facilities increase the amount of water that must be available for firefighting and place additional demands on the system.

“Class 1’s the rating, but readiness is our real accomplishment,” Smith told council.

Holly Springs Fire Rescue will next turn its attention to the 25th anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks. The department plans to hold a memorial service Friday morning, September 11th, at Fire Station 1, which houses a piece of steel recovered from the World Trade Center’s North Tower.

Holly Springs, NC, Sep. 2, 2026 — The Holly Springs Town Council, during last night’s council meeting, approved a $133,000 contract (document) with Raftelis Financial Consultants to review how the town calculates water and sewer rates, including whether large industrial customers are paying an appropriate share of the cost to serve them. The study comes as Holly Springs plans more than $500 million in water and sewer capital investment over the next five years.

Raftelis is expected to present its findings at the Mayor and Council Retreat in February of 2027. The study will examine the town’s financial needs, the cost of providing service to different customer types, and possible changes to rate structures.

Holly Springs’ continued growth, including expansion of its life sciences manufacturing sector, is increasing demands on the town’s utility system. Fujifilm Biotechnologies and Amgen are among the major industrial customers cited in the Raftelis proposal (document) included with the town’s contract documents.

The town’s five-year utility plans include a $222.4 million expansion of the Utley Creek Water Reclamation Facility, an $81.8 million partnership with Sanford for additional water capacity, and a $59.8 million pipeline to convey water to Fuquay-Varina.

The arrival of large industrial water customers in recent years has also raised questions about the town’s existing rate structure. Under the current fee schedule, those customers are billed for water consumption at the lowest inclining-block rate, which is also the rate residential customers receive for their lowest level of water use. The study will examine whether that structure adequately reflects the cost and system capacity required to serve large industrial users.

The study will also consider existing agreements between the town and large industrial customers. According to the contract documents, any revised structure would need to address the difference between existing rates and the cost of providing service.

The first phase of the Raftelis work is a comprehensive water and sewer rate and financial planning study costing $65,000. It will include a cost-of-service analysis for different customer classes, with particular attention to large industrial users and multifamily properties.

Raftelis will also develop financial models that town employees can continue using after the study is completed. The model will allow the town to test different financial and rate scenarios, including changes associated with shifting its water supply from Harnett County toward the TriRiver Water partnership.

The consultants will then develop possible rate structures designed to recover the town’s costs while accounting for Holly Springs’ goal of increasing its nonresidential customer base.

The remaining $68,000 in the contract covers three optional phases that the town can authorize if needed. Those include $10,000 to update high-strength wastewater surcharges paid by industrial dischargers, $38,000 to recalculate water and sewer system development fees, and $20,000 for documentation that could be needed if the town issues additional revenue bonds.

Work on the project begins this fall with data collection and a kickoff meeting. Raftelis’ schedule calls for draft findings to be completed in time for presentation to the council in February. Any rate changes Raftelis recommends would have to return to the Town Council for approval before they could be enacted.

Raftelis (website), based in Charlotte, was founded in 1993 and specializes in financial consulting for water and wastewater utilities. The company says it has worked with more than 2,000 utilities nationwide, including Cary, Raleigh, Durham, and Apex.

This story is part of HSU’s ongoing coverage of Holly Springs growth and infrastructure planning.

Holly Springs, NC, August 23, 2026 — Holly Springs can adopt rules governing where and how data centers operate, but it cannot simply prohibit them from locating in town, Town Manager Randy Harrington told the Town Council during last Tuesday’s town council meeting.

The clarification comes two months into a 12-month moratorium on new data center applications. Council unanimously approved the pause on June 16th, stopping the acceptance, processing and approval of applications while the town studies whether its existing development rules are adequate for today’s data centers.

The moratorium applies to data centers, cryptocurrency mining operations, data processing facilities and related uses within town limits and Holly Springs’ extraterritorial jurisdiction. It took effect June 17th and runs through June 16, 2027, though the town could lift it earlier if it adopts new regulations.

No data center development was under review when council approved the moratorium.

Related Story

• Holly Springs (NC) Halts New Data Center Applications While Studying Water, Power, and Infrastructure Impacts - June 18, 2026

Town can regulate, but not prohibit

Harrington told council Tuesday that North Carolina law limits how far Holly Springs can go once the study is complete. The town does not have the authority to exclude a particular type of legal business unless the state has specifically given municipalities that power.

“In North Carolina, the way North Carolina law works is that you do not have that authority to say and pick and choose which businesses can or can’t come to Holly Springs, unless the state has said they give you some authority to do that,” Harrington said.

Instead, Holly Springs can use its development regulations to establish standards governing data centers that seek to locate in town. That could include requirements on location and compatibility with surrounding development, as well as impacts such as water and electricity use, backup power generation, noise, and traffic.

Holly Springs has defined data centers in its development ordinance since 2011 and updated that definition in 2020-21. When the moratorium was adopted in June, town staff said today’s facilities can place significantly different demands on water and electricity than the data centers contemplated when those rules were written.

Mayor Mike Kondratick described the town’s approach when council approved the moratorium in June.

“We’re pressing pause,” Kondratick said. “We’re taking a moment to assess and evaluate the impact on our residents and the impact on our resources and make sure we have the right policies in place.”

Study expected to take months

The town’s Land Use Advisory Committee is reviewing data center regulations and practices in other communities while gathering input from residents and other stakeholders. Issues under review include water consumption, electricity demand, backup power, noise, transportation, and compatibility with nearby neighborhoods.

Residents who spoke during the June public hearing largely supported the moratorium. Their comments included concerns about water and electricity demand and questions about whether the economic benefits of data centers would offset the demands the facilities could place on local resources.

Town staff estimated in June that research and community engagement would take about eight to nine months. Any proposed changes would then have to go through the town’s process for amending its development ordinance.

That timeline could take the work close to the June 2027 expiration of the moratorium. The pause does not have to remain in place for the full year, however, and could end earlier if council adopts new regulations before then.

Town launches data center information portal

Holly Springs has also created an online data center portal (link) with information about the moratorium, the town’s review and a way for residents to submit comments.

Council members asked Tuesday how much traffic and public engagement the portal has received. Communications and Marketing Director Cassie Hack did not have those numbers available during the meeting and was expected to provide them afterward.

Harrington did not give council a date for when the Land Use Advisory Committee will complete its work or when proposed data center regulations could come back for consideration.

Holly Springs, NC, August 22, 2026 — A proposed rezoning that would bring 53 new homes and a small commercial center to Avent Ferry Road is on hold after the Holly Springs Town Council voted unanimously to defer action on Tuesday (8/18/26).

The rezoning request (document) covers about 32 acres at 2420 Avent Ferry Road and would change the property from Rural Residential to conditional Suburban Residential and Neighborhood Mixed-Use. The proposal would allow the construction of 53 single-family homes and a commercial building ranging from 5,000 to 16,000 square feet on the property.

Related Stories

• Deadlocked Avent Ferry rezoning heads to Holly Springs (NC) Town Council meeting on Tuesday (8/18) - Published August 17, 2026

• Rezoning Proposal for 2420 Avent Ferry Road in Holly Springs Outlines Vision for Residential Community with Commercial Space - Published July 31, 2025

Commercial space raises access and usage questions

The proposed commercial building would have no direct entrance from Avent Ferry Road. Drivers would reach it through internal driveways connected to the subdivision, an arrangement council members questioned during their discussion with the applicant’s traffic engineer.

The full development is projected to generate about 1,400 vehicle trips per day, with about 900 coming from the commercial portion. Council members also asked for more separation and buffering between the commercial building and the homes backing up to it.

Council members also questioned the proposed crosswalk across Avent Ferry Road, asking the applicant to work with the N.C. Department of Transportation on the crossing rather than leave it as a conceptual part of the plan. They pointed to a nearby intersection they said is already unsafe for children walking between neighborhoods.

The applicant was also asked to narrow the potential uses of the commercial property. Several asked for language limiting the site to neighborhood retail, such as a small grocery or convenience store. An attorney representing the family behind the project agreed to revise the conditions.

“There is no desire for it to be a mattress firm. There is no desire for it to be a Dollar General or something along those lines,” the attorney told the council.

Submitted application materials have described the intended use as a small specialty or international grocer, and one of the property owners told the council he wants to keep the commercial space in the family long-term.

Road work included in the plan

The project also calls for about 1,400 feet of widening along the Avent Ferry Road frontage, a new three-lane extension of Buckhorn Duncan Road through the property and a 10-foot multi-use path along both roads.

With the rezoning deferred, council did not take up the related development agreement or water and sewer allocation request. No date has been set for the project to return to the Town Council.

Holly Springs, NC, August 18, 2026 — Holly Springs Fire Rescue responded to almost 2,900 calls and logged more than 20,000 hours of training over the past year, according to the department’s first formal annual report (document) presented to the Holly Springs Town Council.

The presentation followed proclamations (documents) recognizing September as Firefighter Appreciation Month and Emergency Preparedness Month. Fire Chief LeRoy Smith reviewed the department’s call volume, staffing, training, and emergency response during the past year.

November was the department’s busiest month, with July close behind. Smith attributed the spikes in part to Thanksgiving turkeys and Fourth of July fireworks. Most of the department’s calls, however, are medical emergencies.

Every Holly Springs firefighter is certified as an EMT and operates under the Wake County Regional EMS System. As a result, a fire engine may be part of the response when residents call 911 for a medical emergency, even when there is no fire.

Smith also noted that the department changed reporting systems in January, moving from the National Fire Incident Reporting System to the National Emergency Response Information System, or NERIS.

More than 20,000 hours of training

Holly Springs firefighters recorded a combined 20,312 hours of training during the fiscal year, averaging 254 hours per firefighter. The North Carolina Department of Insurance requires a minimum of 240 training hours annually. Smith said the department’s average is understated because it includes firefighters who missed training time for parental leave, military deployments and vacation.

The department has 85 members and operates three fire stations. Smith said operational staffing is divided among three shifts of 25 firefighters, providing coverage 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Ten department members are women, including two helicopter pilots, a figure Smith noted while discussing the department’s workforce.

Four minutes to water on the fire

During the presentation, Smith showed council members video from a house fire in Mayor Pro Tem Annie Drees’s neighborhood that was caused by a lightning strike.

“Four minutes and six seconds after those firefighters arrived on the scene, they had a charged attack line up three flights of stairs into this attic and had water on the fire,” Smith said.

Smith also showed a training video of a simulated house fire reaching flashover, when conditions inside a room cause combustible materials to ignite nearly simultaneously. He urged residents to keep smoke alarms working, sleep with bedroom doors closed, and have at least two ways to escape their homes.

“Working smoke alarm gives you time, but it’s not that much time,” Smith said.

September focuses on firefighters and preparedness

The council’s Emergency Preparedness Month proclamation encourages residents to develop and practice household emergency plans. It directs residents to Ready.gov and recommends that families discuss their needs, document an emergency plan, and practice it.

The Firefighter Appreciation Month proclamation recognizes the town’s 85 firefighters and coincides with Patriot Day on Sept. 11th. It also honors the firefighters who died in the Sept. 11th, 2001, terrorist attacks.

Smith also discussed firefighter mental health and the resources available to department members after difficult calls. All three fire stations now have decompression areas, and firefighters have access to peer support and critical incident stress debriefing.

Holly Springs, NC, Aug. 17, 2026 — A divided rezoning on Avent Ferry Road, more than $2 million in contracts and spending, and a major replacement of the town’s financial software highlight items on the agenda (agenda packet) for tomorow night’s Town Council meeting at Town Hall (directions). The agenda also includes two proclamations, the Fire Department’s first formal annual report and a vote to fill a Planning Board vacancy.

Avent Ferry rezoning reaches council after 3-3 vote

A proposed development at 2420 Avent Ferry Road (map) comes to council without a recommendation from the Planning Board after an unusual 3-3 vote last month.

The applicant is seeking to rezone 32.3 acres from Rural Residential to a mix of Suburban Residential and Neighborhood Mixed-Use. Rezoning case 25-REZ-08 (document) would allow 53 single-family homes and a commercial building of between 5,000 and 16,000 square feet.

Prior HSU Coverage - Rezoning Proposal for 2420 Avent Ferry Road in Holly Springs Outlines Vision for Residential Community with Commercial Space (July 31, 2025)

The Planning Board considered the case on July 28th with three members absent. A motion to recommend denial failed 3-3, leaving the board without enough votes to recommend either approval or denial.

Josh Prizer and Craig Kessler voted for denial, citing the location and safety concerns related to the commercial portion of the project. Van Crandall also voted for denial because of access concerns but later indicated he wished he had voted the other way. The board did not revote. Kathy Stamper, Joanna Holder and Rick Madoni voted against the motion to deny.

Town staff recommends approval, finding the proposal reasonable and in the public interest. Wake County Public Schools has also indicated that existing schools have sufficient capacity for the development.

Council held a public hearing on the rezoning July 21st and will now make the final decision.

More than $2 million on the Consent Agenda

Eight items are on Tuesday’s Consent Agenda, where routine or previously reviewed business is generally approved in a single vote unless a council member asks to pull an item for separate discussion. The financial actions included in the consent items total more than $2 million.

The largest is a roughly $1.4 million rehabilitation of the North Main Athletic Complex parking lot. Portions of the lot, which was built in 2015, have shown accelerated deterioration since 2022.

Fred Smith Company submitted the lowest of five bids opened on July 22nd and is in line for a $1.08 million construction contract, with another $162,000 set aside for contingency. Bolton & Menk would receive about $158,000 for construction administration and inspection, with an additional $24,000 contingency. Work is expected to run from September through November.

Council will also consider spending about $287,000 on a Caterpillar 320 Hydraulic Excavator from Gregory Poole Equipment Company. The new excavator would replace a 1996 machine that has nearly doubled its recommended 15-year service life and now needs engine repairs.

Another $155,000 would go toward renovating the kitchen at Fire Station 2, including cabinets, countertops, flooring, and electrical and plumbing work. The town originally budgeted $50,000 for the project in fiscal year 2025. Savings from five completed town projects would cover the balance, meaning no additional operating-budget money is needed.

Other consent items include an approximately $102,000 annual increase in the town’s landscape maintenance contract with Greenscape to cover new medians on Holly Springs Road and at the Operations Campus. Council will also consider reallocating $48,000 in unused centrifuge rental money at the Utley Creek Water Reclamation Facility.

Holly Springs plans replacement of 20-year-old financial system

The town could also begin replacing the roughly 20-year-old software it uses for financial management and utility billing.

Council will consider a five-year agreement with Oracle that includes about $457,000 in one-time implementation costs and $140,000 in annual cloud subscription fees. That puts the five-year cost at about $1.2 million, assuming the annual subscription price remains unchanged.

The Oracle system would replace the town’s New World platform. Tyler Technologies, which owns New World, is no longer developing the system.

Implementation is expected to start in late fall and take about 18 months. Financial management would move to the new system first, followed by utility billing.

Three seek vacant Planning Board seat

Council will also consider three applicants to replace Planning Board member Tanner Davis, who resigned.

The vacancy is for an extraterritorial jurisdiction, or ETJ, seat, meaning council will recommend a candidate to the Wake County Board of Commissioners, which makes the appointment. ETJs are areas outside municipal limits where a town has certain planning and development authority.

The applicants are Michael Anderson, an Enrolled Agent and owner of a local tax firm; Kristi Melby, a real estate agent; and Hannah Peptis, a nurse practitioner. The term runs through Feb. 28th, 2029.

Peptis disclosed a potential conflict involving a development proposal near her property and said she would recuse herself from that matter if appointed.

Fire Department to present first annual report

Tuesday’s meeting will begin with proclamations recognizing September as Firefighter Appreciation Month and Emergency Preparedness Month. The firefighter proclamation recognizes the Holly Springs Fire Department’s 85 members.

The emergency preparedness proclamation points to an active year for severe weather. Wake County has already recorded six Flash Flood Warnings, 42 Severe Thunderstorm Warnings, two Tornado Watches, two Winter Storm Warnings, one Extreme Heat Warning, and 12 Heat Advisories in 2026, along with one Flash Flood Watch.

Fire Chief LeRoy Smith will follow the proclamations with the department’s first formal Annual Fire Rescue Department Report, covering July 1st, 2025, through June 30th, 2026.

The Holly Springs Town Council meets tomorrow at 7:00 p.m. at Town Hall, 128 S. Main Street in Holly Springs. Residents are encouraged to submit comments to the council in person or in written form. Details on the process can be found on the town’s Public Comment page at https://www.hollyspringsnc.gov/2242/Submit-a-Public-Comment

Holly Springs, NC, July 26, 2026 — Automated license plate readers have become a routine investigative tool for Holly Springs police, but last Tuesday’s town council discussion revealed the town doesn’t control every camera operating within its borders.

During a presentation requested by Town Manager Randy Harrington, Police Chief Paul Liquorie explained how the department uses automated license plate readers, commonly known as ALPRs, the safeguards that govern access to the data, and where the town’s authority over the technology ends. The council took no action other than receiving the briefing.

Liquorie described ALPRs as high-speed cameras that use optical character recognition to capture license plate numbers, along with the time and location where a vehicle was observed. That information is stored in a searchable database. He also distinguished the technology from Flock Safety, whose name has become closely associated with license plate readers nationwide. Holly Springs instead contracts with Vigilant Solutions, a Motorola subsidiary, a decision Liquorie said the department made deliberately.

The department uses the system in two ways. Officers and dispatchers receive real-time alerts when a vehicle associated with a stolen vehicle report, wanted person, or an AMBER or Silver Alert passes one of the cameras. Detectives can also search historical records during an active investigation, but only after entering a valid case number.

To illustrate its value, Liquorie highlighted several recent cases. Officers recovered a stolen vehicle that led to an arrest involving drugs, an illegal firearm, and stolen credit cards. He also described missing person investigations involving elderly residents and people experiencing mental health crises, along with a Bass Lake vehicle break-in solved after another agency queried the shared ALPR network using a captured license plate.

Liquorie stressed that the system is not an unrestricted database. Alerts provide only a license plate number, camera location and visible vehicle characteristics, such as the make, model or distinguishing damage. They do not identify the registered owner, display a driver’s license photograph or provide other personal information.

Access is also tightly controlled. Every database search requires a case number tied to an active investigation, and every query creates an audit trail identifying the officer who conducted it. State law requires ALPR records to be deleted after 90 days, and Liquorie said misuse of the system can result in disciplinary action, including termination, as well as criminal prosecution.

The town attorney addressed several legal questions raised by council members. ALPR records are classified as law enforcement criminal intelligence information and are not subject to North Carolina public records laws, the attorney said. The attorney also emphasized that simply seeing a vehicle at a particular location does not establish probable cause or reasonable suspicion for a traffic stop. Officers must have an independent legal basis before taking enforcement action.

The evening’s most significant exchange came when council members turned from how Holly Springs uses the technology to who else can.

Liquorie confirmed that local, county, state and federal law enforcement agencies may access Holly Springs’ ALPR data through memoranda of understanding. Those same agencies may also install their own license plate reader cameras inside Holly Springs, including on state-maintained roads, without obtaining approval from the town.

One council member asked whether a state agency could place a camera on a state road running through Holly Springs “without our approval or without us even knowing that they’ve put the camera there.”

“Absolutely,” Liquorie replied. “That’s right.”

Liquorie also confirmed the department maintains separate memoranda of understanding with federal law enforcement agencies for data sharing. He said he could not immediately say whether those agreements include expiration dates and would follow up with the council.

That discussion reflects a broader legal debate that remains unresolved. Courts have generally concluded that a single ALPR scan is no different than an officer observing a license plate in plain view on a public roadway and therefore does not constitute a Fourth Amendment search. Less settled is whether searching months of historical ALPR data raises different constitutional questions because it can reveal patterns of a person’s movements.

The issue traces in part to the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2018 decision in Carpenter v. United States, which held that historical cell phone location records are protected by the Fourth Amendment because they can paint a detailed picture of a person’s daily life. Courts have generally distinguished ALPR data from cell phone tracking, but judges, including members of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, which includes North Carolina, have suggested that prolonged or aggregated surveillance could eventually receive similar constitutional scrutiny. Congress has not enacted nationwide standards governing ALPR use.

Liquorie closed the presentation by noting that Holly Springs leases its cameras and subscribes to the supporting database rather than purchasing the equipment outright. That arrangement, he said, allows the town to change vendors if it becomes dissatisfied with Vigilant’s policies or data practices.

For Holly Springs, the town controls the cameras it owns and the policies governing their use. Monday night’s discussion made clear that it does not control every license plate reader operating within its borders, a distinction rooted not in local policy but in the separate legal authority granted to other law enforcement agencies.

Holly Springs, NC, July 25, 2026 — The Holly Springs Town Council voted 3-1 last Tuesday night to approve a rezoning (related documents) that would allow up to 450 apartments near Sunset Lake Commons, ending a process that has stretched roughly five years. Despite the approval, the development cannot move forward until the town resolves a long-standing sewer capacity shortfall affecting the area.

The rezoning changes 30.6 acres at 4950 Optimist Farm Rd. from Neighborhood Mixed-Use to Mixed-Use Residential Conditional Zoning District, allowing up to 15 dwelling units per acre. Although the Planning Board unanimously recommended approval last month, the proposal remained contentious as residents argued they still lacked answers about tree preservation, wetlands, parking demand and traffic.

The council’s debate reflected that uncertainty. A motion to deny the rezoning failed after receiving no second, and a subsequent motion to approve passed 3-1. Before the vote, one council member questioned what the town gained by approving the rezoning now rather than waiting until infrastructure was available. The town attorney responded there was “very little benefit to the town,” but also “no detriment,” because the existing development agreement already prevents construction until sewer capacity is available.

That sewer limitation shaped nearly every aspect of the discussion. Town documents state that two existing pump stations require upgrades and that a new Eastern Regional Pump Station must be constructed before the site—and much of the Northeast Gateway area—can be served. The ordinance’s prepared denial findings specifically cite the missing sewer infrastructure, while the development agreement acknowledges the town “would not ordinarily grant zoning approval” under current conditions and prohibits building permits until adequate capacity exists. During a neighborhood meeting in February 2024, the developer likewise acknowledged the sewer issue had “been an ongoing discussion for years.”

Residents argued that several other questions remain unresolved despite the lengthy review process. One Arbor Creek Drive resident said she was surprised to learn how close the development would be to her grandson’s backyard because she did not receive direct notification of the hearing. She estimated the project would require roughly 1,200 parking spaces and urged the council not to view the decision as a foregone conclusion.

Another resident argued the property’s current zoning already allows 244 units by right and that the rezoning effectively adds roughly 214 more units. She also questioned why no tree survey or preservation plan had been presented for a heavily wooded property and said wetlands appeared to run through the proposed road extension. A third resident echoed concerns about wetlands and wildlife habitat while saying nearby intersections are already under strain from NC-540 traffic.

The approved project includes several public improvements alongside the apartment community. The developer has committed to extending Lassiter Road through the property at an estimated cost of $5 million without town funding, constructing a greenway connection and providing a 25-foot landscaped buffer adjacent to existing homes. Building heights will be limited to 35 feet near that buffer and between 60 and 65 feet elsewhere. A Traffic Impact Analysis estimates the project will generate approximately 2,900 vehicle trips per day while limiting the share affecting any single movement through the Sunset Lake and Optimist Farm intersection.

The development agreement also defers frontage improvements along Optimist Farm Road and Sunset Lake Road that would normally accompany a project of this size. Instead, those improvements would be constructed with a future commercial development planned for a commonly owned parcel at the intersection once sewer capacity is available.

For now, however, the practical outcome is unchanged. The rezoning has been approved, but no construction can begin until the town resolves the sewer capacity problem that dominated Monday night’s debate.

Holly Springs, NC, July 14, 2026 — Holly Springs’ recently released 2025 Annual Drinking Water Quality Report (document) shows two PFAS compounds in the town’s water supply at levels above new federal drinking water standards, putting a spotlight on contaminants that have become a growing concern across the Cape Fear River basin. Testing found PFOA at an average of 5.3 parts per trillion and PFOS at 8.7 parts per trillion, compared with a new federal maximum contaminant level of 4 parts per trillion for each compound.

The findings do not mean Holly Springs’ water suddenly became unsafe or that a new contaminant entered the system. PFAS have been present in the Cape Fear River basin for decades, and what has changed is the federal standard against which those levels are now being measured. For Holly Springs residents, the key question is what happens next: the treatment solution has been selected, more than $7 million in funding has been secured, and the project is now in the design phase.

What the Rest of the Water Report Shows

PFAS stand out in the 2025 report because the town’s water otherwise met federal requirements across the other measured parameters. Lead was non-detectable in 90th-percentile tap samples, a result that has held across multiple testing cycles, while copper measured 0.03 parts per million, about 2 percent of the federal Action Level.

Testing for bacteria, turbidity, disinfection byproducts and other regulated contaminants also showed the water in compliance with applicable standards. The town also completed a Lead-Free service line inventory that found public and private service lines in the system are made from non-lead materials.

Taken as a whole, the report shows a water system meeting existing federal requirements while facing a specific challenge created by newly established PFAS standards.

What Are PFAS?

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly known as PFAS, are a large family of synthetic chemicals that have been used in manufacturing and consumer products since the 1940s. They have been used in products including nonstick cookware, stain-resistant carpeting, water-repellent clothing, food packaging and firefighting foam.

The same chemical properties that make PFAS useful also make them difficult to break down, allowing them to persist in the environment for long periods and earning them the nickname “forever chemicals.” PFAS contamination is not new to the Cape Fear River basin, where upstream industrial discharges have contributed measurable levels of these chemicals for decades.

What changed in 2024 was the federal regulatory framework, when the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency finalized the first enforceable national drinking water limits for several PFAS compounds. Holly Springs purchases finished water from Harnett Regional Water, which draws from the Cape Fear River near Lillington, meaning the PFAS levels reported by Holly Springs reflect that source water and treatment system.

A Treatment Solution Is in the Works

Harnett Regional Water has completed a pilot program evaluating treatment technologies designed to reduce PFAS, comparing both effectiveness and cost. The selected solution is Granular Activated Carbon, or GAC, filtration, a widely used technology for removing PFAS from drinking water, and the project is now in the design phase.

Funding has also been secured. Holly Springs applied for and was awarded $7.021 million in Emerging Contaminant funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and North Carolina’s Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, with the money designated for construction of GAC filtration at Harnett Regional Water’s Sanford Water Filtration Facility.

The compliance target is 2031, reflecting a proposed EPA extension from the original 2029 deadline to give water systems additional time to design, permit and construct treatment infrastructure. The 2025 monitoring also satisfies a separate federal requirement for water systems to complete initial PFAS testing by 2027.

Why Nearby Communities May Have Lower Levels

PFAS levels can vary significantly among neighboring communities because those communities do not necessarily draw their drinking water from the same source. Apex and Cary draw water from Jordan Lake rather than the Cape Fear River, and their 2025 reports show PFOA at approximately 1.3 parts per trillion and PFOS at non-detectable levels, below the new federal limits.

Their shared treatment plant has also used powdered activated carbon since 2018, a process that can reduce PFAS in finished water. The difference is largely tied to source water and treatment: Jordan Lake carries a lower PFAS load than the portion of the Cape Fear River used by Harnett Regional Water.

Fuquay-Varina, which also receives water from Harnett Regional Water, has a similar PFAS profile to Holly Springs for the same reason. The planned GAC filtration system is intended to address PFAS at the treatment plant before the finished water reaches customers, regardless of what enters the river upstream.

What Should Holly Springs Residents Do?

For most residents, the report does not call for immediate action. PFAS exposure can come from multiple sources, including consumer products, food packaging and other environmental pathways, with drinking water representing one potential source of overall exposure.

Residents who want to reduce PFAS levels in their drinking water while the new treatment system is being developed can consider certain home filtration systems. Reverse osmosis systems certified to NSF/ANSI Standard 58 and activated carbon filters certified to NSF/ANSI Standard 53 can reduce certain PFAS compounds when properly installed, maintained and replaced according to manufacturer instructions. Boiling water does not remove PFAS and should not be used as a method for reducing exposure.

The Bottom Line

Holly Springs’ 2025 water quality report identifies a real issue: PFOA and PFOS were detected at levels above the new federal drinking water limits. Those contaminants are present in water supplied through Harnett Regional Water and will require additional treatment infrastructure to bring levels below the new standards.

The response, however, is already underway. The treatment technology has been selected, the pilot testing has been completed, more than $7 million in funding has been awarded, and the filtration project has moved into design.

For Holly Springs residents, the annual report is therefore more than a table of test results. It documents a PFAS challenge tied to the region’s source water and shows that a funded treatment project is moving forward to address it.

Holly Springs, NC, June. 25, 2026 — Plans to widen Avent Ferry Road, improve school crossings and add a new traffic signal are moving forward, and Holly Springs residents have an opportunity this week to help shape the project’s final design.

The Town will host an Early Design Public Meeting from 5:30-7:30 p.m. tonight (6/25), at Holly Grove Middle School, 1401 Avent Ferry Road, where residents can review preliminary design maps, meet with Town staff and project consultants, ask questions and provide feedback. For those unable to attend, an online feedback option will be available after the meeting.

The proposed improvements target a busy corridor serving Holly Grove Elementary and Holly Grove Middle schools that has experienced increasing traffic as development has expanded in western Holly Springs.

Preliminary plans include widening Avent Ferry Road to four lanes with a raised median from Ralph Stephens Road to Holly Meadow Drive, adding sidewalks on both sides of the roadway, installing new signalized crosswalks near the schools, adding a traffic signal at the Holly Grove school entrance and converting the Autumn Park neighborhood exit to right-turn-out only. NCDOT says the restricted movement is intended to improve safety and traffic flow on the widened state roadway.

Holly Springs is managing the project on behalf of the North Carolina Department of Transportation, overseeing design, right-of-way acquisition and construction while NCDOT provides funding, design approvals and regulatory oversight. Town officials say the arrangement helps accelerate the project’s delivery.

The project remains in the design phase. Right-of-way acquisition is expected to begin in 2027, with construction anticipated to start in 2029.

The Holly Springs Town Council approved the project’s $1.2 million design contract with Exalt Engineering in September of 2025. The contract, funded through NCDOT as part of a project budget of up to $20.2 million, includes multiple public meetings and outreach to homeowners associations, nearby schools and emergency services as the design continues to be refined.

Holly Springs, NC, Jun. 18, 2026 — Holly Springs will temporarily stop accepting new data center development applications after town leaders unanimously approved a moratorium intended to give officials time to study the industry’s potential impacts on water supplies, electricity demand, infrastructure, and nearby neighborhoods.

The June 16th vote pauses the acceptance, processing, and approval of applications for data centers, cryptocurrency mining operations, data processing facilities, and related uses within both the town limits and its extraterritorial jurisdiction. The moratorium took effect June 17th and will remain in place through June 16th, 2027, unless the town adopts updated regulations sooner.

Notably, the action was not tied to a specific development proposal, and no data center project is currently under review by the town. Instead, town officials described the move as a proactive effort to address an industry that has changed significantly since Holly Springs first adopted data center regulations more than a decade ago.

Development Services’ Planning Division Manager, Sean Ryan, told council that the town’s current definition of a data center was originally added to the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) in 2011 and later refined during the 2020-21 UDO update process. While those regulations addressed data centers at the time, Ryan said modern facilities often have far different operational demands, particularly regarding electricity and water consumption.

Town staff said the study will focus on water consumption, electricity demand, backup power generation, noise, transportation impacts, and compatibility with nearby neighborhoods. Officials will also review how other communities regulate data centers.

Residents who spoke during the public hearing largely supported the moratorium and urged the town to take a cautious approach before allowing future data center development. Speakers raised concerns about water usage, electricity demand, noise impacts, infrastructure capacity, and potential effects on nearby neighborhoods. Several residents also questioned whether the economic benefits often associated with data centers would outweigh the demands such facilities could place on local resources.

Council members from across the board voiced support for the temporary pause, emphasizing that the moratorium is intended to create time for research rather than serve as a permanent policy position.

Mayor Mike Kondratick described the action as a deliberate effort to gather information before making long-term decisions.

“We’re pressing pause,” Kondratick said during the council discussion. “We’re taking a moment to assess and evaluate the impact on our residents and the impact on our resources and make sure we have the right policies in place.”

Under the process outlined by staff, the town’s Land Use Advisory Committee will help review research findings, gather stakeholder and community input, and develop recommendations for potential changes to the UDO. Staff expects the research and engagement phase to take roughly eight to nine months, with additional time needed to complete the formal ordinance amendment process.

While the moratorium allows up to 12 months for that work, town officials noted it could be lifted earlier if updated regulations are completed before the June 2027 expiration date.

For now, the vote signals that Holly Springs intends to take a closer look at how data centers fit into the community before opening the door to future proposals.

What’s Next

The moratorium took effect on June 17th, 2026. Over the coming months, town staff and the Land Use Advisory Committee will study data center impacts, review approaches used in other communities, gather public input, and develop recommendations for potential changes to Holly Springs’ development regulations. Those recommendations will ultimately return to the Town Council for consideration.

Holly Springs, NC, Jun. 16, 2026 — The future of data center development in Holly Springs could take a significant turn tonight as the Town Council considers a proposed one-year moratorium on new applications while also getting its first detailed look at plans for a Festival Street that could reshape part of downtown.

The meeting begins at 7 p.m. in the Town Hall Council Chambers at 128 S. Main Street (map) and includes several community recognitions, including a Juneteenth proclamation, recognition of Holly Springs High School’s state champion women’s soccer team, and consideration of a bridge naming request honoring fallen Wake County Deputy Mark R. Tucker.

The most significant policy item on the agenda (packet) is a proposed 12-month moratorium on applications for data centers, cryptocurrency mining operations, data processing facilities, and related uses within Holly Springs and its extraterritorial jurisdiction. Town staff says the pause would allow time to study whether additional regulations are needed before such projects move forward. Issues identified for review include water consumption, energy demand, backup power generation, noise, transportation impacts, and land-use compatibility. If approved, the moratorium would remain in place while the town evaluates potential amendments to the Unified Development Ordinance and related policies governing these uses.

Downtown development will also be a major focus as council receives its first substantial update on the Avent Ferry Road Festival Street concept, a project identified in the Downtown Area Plan. The proposal would redesign portions of Avent Ferry Road to create a pedestrian-oriented public space capable of hosting festivals, markets, parades, and other community events while continuing to function as a roadway when needed. Early concepts include a curbless street design, retractable bollards, enhanced landscaping, public art, gathering spaces, decorative lighting, improved pedestrian crossings, and infrastructure that would allow temporary street closures during special events.

The meeting will also include recognition of the Holly Springs High School Girl’s Soccer Team (MaxPreps) following the program’s first 7A state championship. The Golden Hawks defeated Weddington 2-1 to capture the title and finished the season with a 20-3-1 record. Mayor Mike Kondratick is expected to recognize the team’s 25 players and coaching staff for the achievement.

Council will also proclaim June 19th as Juneteenth in Holly Springs, recognizing the 161st anniversary of the holiday commemorating the delayed arrival of news of the Emancipation Proclamation to enslaved people in Texas in June 1865. (learn more)

Another notable item is a resolution endorsing the naming of the Holly Springs Road bridge over NC 540 in honor of Deputy Mark R. Tucker. Tucker served 24 years with the Wake County Sheriff’s Office and was killed in the line of duty on February 12, 2004. According to agenda materials, the bridge is located approximately 1.4 miles from where he was killed. The request originated with the Wake County Fraternal Order of Police and requires municipal support before the North Carolina Department of Transportation can consider the designation.

Additional agenda items include end-of-year budget amendments and grant-related funding adjustments, an annexation request associated with the Veridea development area and a related industrial project in Apex, updates to the town’s Engineering Design and Construction Standards, a design change order for the Holly Springs Road Central project, and a July Parks and Recreation Month proclamation.

Together, the data center moratorium and Festival Street discussion highlight two issues likely to shape Holly Springs’ future for years to come: how the town manages growth and how it continues building a distinctive downtown experience.

Holly Springs, NC, Jun. 9, 2026 — A series of development ordinance changes approved by the Holly Springs Town Council on June 2nd may not dramatically alter what gets built in town, but they could change when and how residents participate in those decisions. Through a package of 20 Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) amendments, council members approved changes that move several types of development proposals into a review process that allows public concerns to be raised earlier and considered more broadly before final decisions are made.

What is a UDO?

The Unified Development Ordinance, commonly called the UDO, is Holly Springs’ primary development rulebook. It governs how land can be used and developed throughout town, including zoning, permitted uses, building design, parking, landscaping, open space, transportation connections, and many of the standards that shape future neighborhoods and commercial areas.

Link: Holly Springs Unified Development Ordinance

The most significant change involves moving several land uses from the town’s Special Use Permit process to the Conditional District rezoning process. Staff said the adjustment affects uses that can have substantial impacts on surrounding neighborhoods, including community support facilities, residential care facilities, and data centers. Under the existing process, public hearings occur near the end of project review, and concerns generally must be supported by evidence. The Conditional District process places the public hearing at the beginning, adds Planning Board review, and provides multiple opportunities for residents to weigh in before a proposal returns to council for a final decision.

Senior Planner Cheryl Caines said the change is intended to strengthen public participation while allowing the town to consider broader impacts that extend beyond an individual property. Explaining the difference between the two review processes, she noted that under the Conditional District process, “the feedback that is provided can just be concerns, it doesn’t have to be supported by evidence.” Staff also emphasized that the revised process allows the council to evaluate broader issues, such as infrastructure capacity and community-wide impacts, as projects move through the review process.

One of the most notable amendments involves data centers, a topic that has generated increasing public interest across Wake County and beyond. Data centers are currently permitted in Business Research and Technology districts, but the new rules require such projects to undergo Conditional District rezoning review. That change means future proposals would receive additional public scrutiny and multiple opportunities for citizen input before the council makes a decision.

While council members generally supported expanding public participation, the discussion centered on whether the more extensive rezoning process could impose unintended burdens on nonprofit organizations. Mayor Mike Kondratick said he supports giving neighbors opportunities to comment on facilities that may affect residential areas, but expressed concern that additional application costs could pose obstacles for smaller nonprofits. “I have concerns that we’re kind of building some barriers that might make it difficult to bring, you know, to start a new non-profit in our community,” he said.

Other council members generally supported the change while acknowledging those concerns. Council Member Chris Deshazor argued that the Conditional District process provides needed structure around uses that can significantly affect nearby neighborhoods. “This gives us some structure around what can go in and near a neighborhood,” he said during the discussion. Deshazor also pushed back against the assumption that all nonprofit organizations operate with limited resources, noting that some have substantial financial capacity.

Council Member Kara Foster raised similar concerns about smaller nonprofits and small businesses, suggesting the town may want to revisit the issue in a future amendment cycle to explore accommodations or exemptions for organizations with limited resources. Although no changes were made to the amendment package, several members indicated they would be open to refining the process in the future if concerns emerge.

The amendments also include a range of development standards that received less discussion but will shape future projects throughout the town. New rules require rear-loaded lots to front on active open space rather than passive preservation areas, establish architectural standards for retaining walls, and create additional design requirements for drive-through facilities and car washes. The intent, staff said, is to create more pedestrian-friendly development patterns and improve the appearance of future projects.

Additional changes expand opportunities for neighborhood-serving businesses. Standalone bars will be allowed in Neighborhood Mixed-Use districts under size and location restrictions, while fueling stations may be permitted under standards intended to prevent them from dominating major intersections. Staff said the goal is to provide services closer to residential neighborhoods while maintaining compatibility with surrounding development.

Council also approved modifications to electric-vehicle parking requirements for schools after staff determined that the standards adopted in 2022 did not align well with school operations. The revised requirements reduce the number of EV charging spaces that must be installed initially while requiring additional spaces to be EV-ready for future expansion. Staff said the changes provide flexibility as electric vehicle adoption continues to evolve while reducing upfront construction costs.

The Planning Board unanimously recommended approval of the amendments, and no residents spoke during the public hearing held in May. Council ultimately approved the package unanimously, concluding a discussion that was less about specific development projects and more about how future projects will be reviewed. As Holly Springs continues to grow, the most significant impact of the amendments may be the expanded opportunity for residents to participate earlier in conversations about the developments that shape their community.

Holly Springs, NC, Ju. 5, 2026 — Eight years after Holly Springs voters approved a $40 million transportation bond, town leaders are beginning to shift their attention from finishing those projects to deciding what comes next. During a June 2nd transportation update, council members reviewed the status of major bond-funded projects, discussed emerging transportation priorities, and began looking ahead to the next generation of road, sidewalk, and greenway investments that could eventually be supported by a future transportation bond.

The presentation, delivered by the Assistant Director for Transportation, Carrie Mitchell, highlighted several projects funded through the 2018 bond program, including the Holly Springs Road East widening project, the Main Street right-turn lane, the NC 55 right-turn lane, and Avent Ferry downtown pedestrian improvements. Staff described the projects as long-planned investments intended to improve roadway capacity, traffic operations, pedestrian access, and overall mobility throughout town. With most of the original bond projects now complete or nearing completion, the conversation naturally turned toward what transportation needs remain on the horizon.

Several significant projects are already moving through design and permitting. Holly Springs Road Central has reached 100 percent design and is awaiting construction authorization while right-of-way acquisition continues. Holly Springs Road West has advanced through early public engagement and remains a key piece of the town’s long-term vision because it would complete a four-lane divided connection between Interstate 540 and the NC 55 Bypass. Design work is also progressing on Avent Ferry Road Phase 2, while the Main Street Sidewalk Connection and Utley Creek Greenway Phase II continue moving toward construction. Staff also outlined upcoming pedestrian safety projects and future street improvements outside the current Community Investment Plan.

Council members spent much of their discussion focused on connectivity and traffic flow, particularly along Rouse Road, where multiple developments are expected to contribute to roadway improvements over time. One council member noted that closing the remaining gap of roughly 800 feet near Castle Road could significantly improve traffic flow through the corridor and suggested that staff evaluate the corridor as a whole rather than viewing each project individually. The discussion reflected a broader concern about ensuring that individual development-related improvements ultimately connect into a cohesive transportation network.

The conversation also touched on the realities that follow major transportation projects. Council members asked whether additional signage may be needed to help drivers navigate the newer right-turn lane from Avent Ferry Road onto NC 55 and raised questions about maintenance responsibilities along recently improved road corridors. Staff said they would review those issues and continue monitoring conditions.

While the town is still completing portions of the 2018 bond program, discussion has already begun about future transportation funding. Budget documents presented later in the meeting note that prior bond projects are largely complete and reference the possibility of a future transportation bond referendum. The Town Manager’s budget message states that the council has begun exploring future transportation priorities and that the town’s financial advisor identified potential debt capacity of $100 million to $150 million between 2028 and 2032 using existing revenue sources. During the budget process, the council also endorsed beginning analysis and community engagement around transportation investments that could support a potential 2027 bond vote.

For Holly Springs, the transportation discussion has entered a new phase. Much of the work promised through the 2018 bond is now visible on the ground, but council members made clear that transportation planning is far from finished. As growth continues and new development pushes farther across town, the focus is increasingly shifting from what the last bond delivered to what projects residents may be asked to support next.

Holly Springs, NC, Jun. 3, 2026 — The Holly Springs Town Council unanimously adopted a $139 million budget (document) for fiscal year 2026-27 last night, approving a spending plan that attempts to balance some of the community’s most frequently cited priorities: easing traffic congestion, maintaining affordability, expanding public services, and building the infrastructure needed to support a rapidly growing town. The budget keeps the municipal property tax rate unchanged at 34.35 cents per $100 of valuation, a figure council members noted remains the lowest municipal tax rate in Wake County.

Related story: Holly Springs (NC) Council Expected to Approve Utility, Stormwater Increases in $139 Million Budget Package Next Tuesday (6/2/26)

While the tax rate remains flat, residents will see higher utility bills beginning July 1st. The adopted budget includes an $11.89 monthly increase for a typical residential water and wastewater customer, a $1.30 increase in stormwater fees, and a 69-cent increase in garbage and recycling costs tied to the town’s contract with GFL Environmental. Town officials said those increases are necessary to fund major infrastructure investments, particularly in water, wastewater, and stormwater systems.

Budget Director Corey Petersohn told council that the spending plan continues to focus on three broad priorities identified by both town leadership and residents: managing traffic and improving mobility; enhancing parks, facilities, and events; and managing growth while protecting the environment. The budget also includes 19 new full-time positions and incorporates changes endorsed by council during its May budget workshop, including Saturday service for the Holly Springs Hopper, creation of a voluntary utility bill round-up assistance program, planning for a potential 2027 transportation bond referendum, and an additional $5,000 for nonprofit grants.

Although the budget itself generated little debate, water infrastructure emerged as one of the central themes of the discussion. Earlier in the meeting, a resident questioned whether regional water supplies can keep pace with continued growth throughout western Wake County. The resident described water as “our most essential and finite resource” and raised concerns about future demand from ongoing residential development, the proposed North Carolina Children’s Hospital in Apex, and potential data center projects. They warned that drought conditions and continued development could place increasing pressure on the region’s water resources and called current growth patterns “reckless.”

Council Member Chris Deshazor directly addressed those concerns during the budget discussion. He said one of the most common messages council members hear from residents is that infrastructure investment should come before additional growth, and argued that the utility increases reflect exactly that approach. “One of the things that we always hear, and I think every person that’s on this council has heard it, is that we need to pause development and invest in infrastructure. And that’s what we’re doing with water,” Deshazor said, pointing to ongoing investments intended to secure long-term water capacity for the community.

Mayor Mike Kondratick framed the budget as a response to concerns he heard repeatedly from residents during last year’s election cycle. Transportation and affordability, he said, were among the issues residents raised most often. He pointed to continued investment in traffic management technology, expansion of Hopper service, future transportation planning, Eagles Landing Park, nonprofit grants, and public safety services as evidence that the town is directing resources toward priorities residents have identified. He also argued that maintaining the current tax rate reflects an awareness of the economic pressures facing households while still moving forward with major infrastructure projects.

Beyond the coming fiscal year, the budget documents also highlight several major decisions looming. Among them are future operating costs associated with Eagles Landing Park, staffing and equipment needs for two future fire stations, expansion of wastewater treatment capacity beyond the Utley Creek Water Reclamation Facility’s current 8-million-gallon-per-day expansion project, and the possibility of asking voters to consider another transportation bond referendum. Town officials noted that previous transportation bond projects are nearing completion, with Holly Springs Road Central expected to be the final major project funded through the 2018 bond authorization.

The adopted budget totals $139.2 million, an 18.3% increase over the previous year’s budget, driven largely by community investment and capital projects. The General Fund budget totals $72.9 million. Town documents describe the spending plan as a continuation of the strategic priorities adopted by the council while preparing the community for future transportation, utility, and public safety needs.

Click on the image to view the full budget document

With no opposition from council members, the budget and accompanying tax collection order were approved unanimously, concluding a process that began with the Town Manager’s budget presentation in May and setting the town’s financial roadmap for the fiscal year that begins July 1st.

Holly Springs, NC, May 29, 2026 — During next Tuesday’s (6/2/26) Town Council meeting, Holly Springs leaders are expected to approve a $139 million budget that keeps the town’s property tax rate unchanged while increasing utility, stormwater, and sanitation charges for residents.

The Fiscal Year 2026-27 budget (document) is the centerpiece of the meeting and reflects the town’s continued focus on managing growth, expanding infrastructure, and improving transportation options. The proposed spending plan also includes funding for 19 new full-time positions and increased investment in capital projects throughout the community.

The recommended budget totals $139.2 million, an 18.3% increase over the current fiscal year, with town officials citing increased capital project investments as the primary driver. The General Fund budget would total approximately $72.9 million.

What Residents Would Notice Most

While the property tax rate would remain unchanged at 34.35 cents per $100 of assessed valuation, several monthly household costs would increase if the budget is approved.

According to agenda materials, the typical residential utility bill would increase by $11.89 per month to support water and sewer capacity infrastructure investments. Garbage and recycling collection charges would increase by 69 cents per month, while residential stormwater fees would increase by $1.30 per month, bringing the monthly stormwater fee to $6.50.

Town officials identify three primary investment areas in the budget:

• Managing traffic and improving mobility

• Enhancing parks, facilities, and events

• Managing growth and protecting the environment

During recent budget discussions, council members also expressed support for expanding Hopper microtransit service to Saturdays, creating a voluntary utility bill round-up program to assist residents facing temporary financial hardship, and beginning analysis of potential multimodal transportation investments that could be included in a future transportation bond referendum.

Meeting Information & Location

The Holly Springs Town Council will meet at Town Hall (map) on Tuesday, June 2nd, at 7:00 p.m. The meeting agenda and supporting materials are available on the Town of Holly Springs website (link).

Transportation Investments Continue to Move Forward

Transportation remains one of the town’s largest long-term priorities, and the council will receive an update on projects funded through the 2018 transportation bond program.

Staff is expected to provide updates on completed or nearly completed projects, including Holly Springs Road Widening-East, the Main Street Right Turn Lane project, the NC 55 Right Turn Lane project, and downtown pedestrian improvements along Avent Ferry Road.

Council will also receive status reports on several major projects that remain under development, including Holly Springs Road Central, Holly Springs Road West, Avent Ferry Road Phase 2, the Main Street Sidewalk Connection, the North Main Athletic Complex to Oak Hall Greenway connection, and Utley Creek Greenway Phase II.

Holly Springs Road Project Could Require Eminent Domain Action

One of the most significant non-budget items on the agenda involves the Holly Springs Road Central widening project.

Council is being asked to authorize condemnation proceedings for property interests that have not yet been acquired through negotiations. The action would allow the town to move forward with obtaining the final right-of-way and easement interests needed for the project while continuing discussions with affected property owners.

The project would widen Holly Springs Road from Main Street to Flint Point Lane into a four-lane divided roadway with sidewalks. Construction is currently anticipated to begin in early 2027 following completion of property acquisition and required approvals.

Development Rules Could See Significant Changes

Council is also expected to consider a package of Unified Development Ordinance amendments that would change how certain development proposals are reviewed and approved in Holly Springs.

Among the most notable proposed changes is a shift away from Special Use Permit approvals for certain uses and toward Conditional Zoning District approvals. According to town staff, the change is intended to increase citizen participation and provide greater opportunity for community engagement during the review process for projects that may have significant impacts on nearby residents.

The amendment package would also:

• Allow bars and fueling stations within Neighborhood Mixed Use zoning districts subject to additional standards.

• Clarify requirements for lots that front on open space rather than public streets.

• Make a variety of technical corrections and administrative updates to the ordinance.

The proposal has already completed its public hearing and Planning Board review process. Planning Board members voted unanimously to recommend approval.

Additional Funding and Grant Actions

Council will also consider several grant-related items, including acceptance of outside funding for water infrastructure improvements, police communications equipment, and arts programming.

Among those items are a federal appropriation for the Harnett Regional Water Improvement Project, funding for replacement police radio equipment, and an Arts for Towns grant supporting future cultural programming.

Why It Matters

The June 2nd meeting touches on many of the same issues residents consistently identify as priorities: managing traffic, accommodating growth, maintaining infrastructure, and preserving quality of life.

The budget will determine how the town funds those priorities during the coming fiscal year, while transportation and development decisions on the agenda will help shape how Holly Springs grows in the years ahead.

Meeting Information & Location

The Holly Springs Town Council will meet at Town Hall (map) on Tuesday, June 2nd, at 7:00 p.m. The meeting agenda and supporting materials are available on the Town of Holly Springs website (link).

Holly Springs, NC, May 20, 2026 — Holly Springs Town Council spent much of Tuesday night wrestling with the same question that has increasingly defined growth conversations across town over the last several years: whether infrastructure improvements are keeping pace with continued residential development, particularly in rapidly growing corridors where traffic concerns are already intensifying.

The issue surfaced repeatedly throughout the meeting, from the town’s recommended budget presentation and discussions about long-term utility infrastructure investments to a lengthy debate over Powell Place, a proposed 97-home development off Rouse Road that ultimately was deferred after council members split over whether the project’s transportation improvements were sufficient for the surrounding area.

Council also approved the annexation of the Evanston subdivision property, advanced a broad package of Unified Development Ordinance amendments for further review, tabled the Twin Springs annexation request, and made appointments to several town advisory boards. But the clearest tension of the night centered on how Holly Springs balances housing growth, roadway limitations and long-term infrastructure planning in one of the town’s increasingly pressured southern corridors.

Budget presentation focuses on future infrastructure costs

During the Fiscal Year 2026-27 (FY27) recommended budget hearing, Budget Director Corey Peterson said Holly Springs can now officially claim the lowest recommended property tax rate among Wake County’s local governments for the upcoming fiscal year while still funding major long-term infrastructure investments.

The proposed $139 million budget keeps the property tax rate unchanged at 34.35 cents per $100 valuation, but it includes increases to several monthly utility-related charges. Water and wastewater rates for a typical residential customer would rise by $11.89 per month, storm water fees would increase by $1.30 per month, and garbage and recycling costs would rise by 69 cents per month as a pass-through increase tied to the town’s contractor agreement.

Peterson said much of the increase is tied directly to large-scale utility and environmental infrastructure investments, including expansion of the Utley Creek Water Reclamation Facility, additional water storage capacity, regional partnerships tied to the TriRiver Water Treatment Facility and future drinking water infrastructure projects.

“These are not the kind of investments made overnight,” Peterson told council. “Utility infrastructure is planned over years, if not decades.”

Peterson said five major utility projects now represent nearly $500 million in infrastructure investment for the town.

Mayor Pro Tem Annie Drees later connected the utility rate discussion directly back to resident concerns about growth and development, noting that residents frequently ask town leaders to build infrastructure before approving additional growth.

“One of the things that I’ve been saying and people constantly ask about the water rates, the water rates are increasing,” Drees said. “But one of the things is most interesting is there’s a lot of people that will say stop all growth, stop development and build infrastructure. Well, this is one of the times that as a council we are actually building the infrastructure first.”

She acknowledged the increases were “not an easy pill to swallow” while defending the investments as necessary for Holly Springs’ long-term future.

The budget presentation also highlighted transportation and recreation projects already underway or expected to begin soon, including continued work on Holly Springs Road East, expansion of the Holly Springs Hopper micro-transit system, a future signalized crossing at Sunset Lake Road for the Middle Creek Greenway, improvements at North Main Athletic Complex, and continued development of Eagles Landing Park near Holly Springs High School.

Powell Place debate exposes broader corridor concerns

The night’s most extensive debate came during discussion of Powell Place, a proposed 32.7-acre development at 7051 and 7121 Rouse Road that would include 97 homes consisting of attached townhomes, rear-loaded detached homes and traditional front-loaded detached homes.

Town staff and the applicant repeatedly emphasized that the project had undergone significant revisions since its original public hearing in January, largely in response to traffic concerns raised by residents and council members.

Those changes included approximately 880 feet of road widening along Rouse Road, dedicated left- and right-turn lanes into the development, a proposed reduction in the speed limit to 35 mph pending NCDOT approval, and a $100,000 contribution toward a future traffic signal at Rouse Road and Piney Grove Wilbon Road.

Applicant attorney Jason Barron said the six-month gap between the January public hearing and Tuesday night’s council discussion reflected extensive coordination with staff and efforts to respond directly to council feedback.

“We heard you loud and clear,” Barron said regarding traffic concerns. “Traffic is always a concern in this area.”

Barron argued the development would provide housing diversity and relatively more attainable price points than much of Holly Springs’ recent housing stock. According to the developer, townhomes would likely start in the mid-$300,000 range and detached homes would begin in the mid-$400,000 range.

He also defended the project’s traffic commitments, saying the development itself would account for only a small share of traffic at the nearby Piney Grove Wilbon Road intersection while still contributing significant roadway improvements and signal funding.

“We think it is a substantial commitment towards helping the town alleviate issues that exist as of today,” Barron said.

Still, several council members remained uneasy about the broader transportation conditions surrounding the project, particularly the narrow sections and curves along Rouse Road and increasing traffic pressure throughout the Piney Grove Wilbon corridor.

Council Member Chris Deshazor said he appreciated the applicant’s efforts to respond to council concerns but remained uncomfortable with the roadway conditions and the project’s single entrance point.

“My major concern is that Rouse Road is a two-lane road that has no shoulders,” Deshazor said. “It is a very tight road.”

Deshazor also referenced safety concerns tied to the nearby S-curve along Rouse Road and questioned whether emergency vehicles could effectively navigate the corridor as development continues increasing in the area.

Council Member Sarah Larson echoed concerns about the corridor’s overall transportation limitations, particularly without an immediate traffic signal at Piney Grove Wilbon Road.

“It just seems like there’s not a good option to be able to reduce traffic,” Larson said.

Mayor Mike Kondratick acknowledged broader frustration surrounding traffic and growth concerns while also arguing that the project had substantially addressed the specific requests council made earlier this year.

“I think for the size, this is more than paying for their fair share of that,” Kondratick said regarding the roadway and signal commitments.

After an initial motion to approve the rezoning failed, council voted to defer the case until its July 21st meeting so additional discussion could occur around the broader corridor and transportation questions.

The debate also repeatedly referenced a planned June 1st community conversation focused specifically on the Piney Grove Wilbon corridor. Town officials said representatives from NCDOT and CAMPO are expected to participate alongside council and staff.

Annexations and zoning amendments move forward

Earlier in the meeting, council unanimously approved annexation of approximately 53.8 acres at 6200 Windy Farm Lane associated with the Evanston subdivision project. Staff said the annexation had been delayed previously to allow completion of the property purchase by M/I Homes.

Council also conducted a public hearing on the town’s semiannual Unified Development Ordinance amendments, which include changes involving special use permits, neighborhood mixed-use standards, bars, fueling stations, EV parking standards for schools and additional drive-through standards.

Senior Planner Cheryl Caines said one of the most significant changes would move several uses currently handled through special use permits into the conditional zoning process instead, allowing greater public engagement earlier in the review process.

“With the conditional district rezoning, they’re able to just come with concerns and talk about those with the town council,” Caines said while explaining the proposed process changes.

The amendment package now advances to Planning Board before returning to council for final consideration.

Council also voted to table the Twin Springs annexation request tied to property near Duncan Cook Road because of coordination and timing issues involving Fuquay-Varina’s related review process.

Holly Springs, NC, May 19, 2026 — Holly Springs’ Town Council heads into tonight’s meeting with an agenda that touches many of the same issues residents have increasingly debated across town over the past several years: how fast Holly Springs should grow, how infrastructure keeps pace, what future development should look like, and how much that growth is beginning to cost residents in monthly bills and long-term public investment.

Further Reading: Holly Springs Town Council May 19, 2026 Agenda Packet (here)

The meeting includes a public hearing on the town’s proposed FY 2026-27 budget, multiple annexation requests tied to future residential development, a significant package of Unified Development Ordinance amendments, and final consideration of Powell Place, a proposed 97-home community planned off Rouse Road that has already generated traffic and safety concerns during earlier hearings.

While the topics are different, many of them intersect around the same underlying pressures. Residential growth continues pushing outward into remaining undeveloped areas around Holly Springs, while town leaders are simultaneously trying to expand utility capacity, address roadway concerns, maintain service levels, and adjust development standards that will shape how future projects move through the approval process.

The proposed budget hearing sits near the center of those conversations. The recommended FY 2026-27 budget totals roughly $139 million, net of transfers, and would keep the town’s property tax rate unchanged at 34.35 cents per $100 of valuation. At the same time, however, the proposal includes several increases that would directly affect most households through utility and service bills.

Under the recommendation, a typical residential water and sewer bill would increase by approximately $11.89 per month to support future utility capacity and infrastructure investments. Residential garbage and recycling service would increase by 69 cents per month as part of a contractor pass-through increase, while the monthly stormwater fee would rise by $1.30 to $6.50. Town staff also says the budget funds 19 new full-time positions while continuing investments in transportation, facilities, environmental protection, parks, and growth-related infrastructure needs.

Growth and transportation concerns are especially visible in the Powell Place proposal, which returns to Council with added traffic commitments following earlier public discussion. The project would rezone 32.7 acres at 7121 Rouse Road from Rural Residential to Neighborhood Residential Conditional Zoning District and allow construction of 97 homes, including 42 attached dwellings and 55 detached dwellings.

During previous hearings, roadway conditions nearby became a major point of concern, particularly regarding Rouse Road, Piney Grove Wilbon Road, and Honeycutt Road. In response, the applicant added several transportation-related commitments to the proposal, including approximately 450 feet of additional widening along Rouse Road, dedicated right- and left-turn lanes into the development, and a $100,000 contribution toward a future traffic signal at the intersection of Rouse Road and Piney Grove Wilbon Road. The developer is also requesting a reduction of the speed limit along Rouse Road to 35 mph, though any change in the speed limit would ultimately require approval from NCDOT.

The Planning Board previously voted 6-1 to recommend approval of the project, with the lone dissenting vote tied to concerns about roadway curvature near the proposed entrance.

Tuesday’s agenda also includes two annexation-related items tied to future residential growth areas. One request involves approximately 53.868 acres at 6200 Windy Farm Lane associated with the previously approved Evanston subdivision. Because the development plans to connect to town utilities, annexation into Holly Springs is required before those extensions can occur. Town staff reported no departmental concerns with the request.

The second annexation item, however, reflects some of the growing coordination challenges that can emerge as development projects cross municipal boundaries. The proposed Twin Springs annexation involves approximately 44.1 acres at 5801 Duncan Cook Road, but town staff is recommending that Council close the current public hearing and pause the process while additional work continues with Fuquay-Varina.

According to agenda materials, the delay is tied to uncertainty surrounding Fuquay-Varina’s review schedule and ongoing work connected to a development agreement there. The annexation application itself would remain active and could be returned to Holly Springs later, once the applicant is prepared to move forward again.

Council will also review a broad package of Spring 2026 Unified Development Ordinance amendments that could alter how several higher-impact land uses are reviewed in Holly Springs going forward. One of the largest proposed changes would eliminate the remaining Special Use Permit review process and instead move those uses into Conditional Zoning District review.

Town staff says the shift would allow greater public engagement and provide the Council with more flexibility when evaluating uses that could have significant community impacts. The affected categories include uses such as wireless communication towers, data centers, and wastewater treatment facilities.

The amendment package also includes changes affecting Neighborhood Mixed Use districts and site design standards. Proposed revisions would allow bars and fueling stations in NMX districts under additional conditions, prohibit car washes in those districts, clarify that homes facing open space must front active and improved open space areas, and modify EV parking requirements for K-12 schools. The Land Use Advisory Committee previously recommended approval of the amendments, while Planning Board review is scheduled later this month before final Council consideration.

The meeting will close with appointments to several town advisory boards, including three seats on the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee, four seats on the Tree Advisory Committee, and one junior position on the Tree Advisory Committee. According to the agenda packet, the town received 16 applications for PRAC, four for TAC, and two for the junior TAC opening.

Taken together, Tuesday night’s agenda offers another snapshot of the balancing act Holly Springs continues facing as population growth, infrastructure investment, development pressure, and quality-of-life expectations increasingly collide in the same conversations. The projects and policy changes scheduled for discussion may address different corners of town government, but most ultimately circle back to the same broader question that residents and elected officials continue working through: how Holly Springs grows and what that growth requires of the community, financially, physically, and politically.

Further Reading: Holly Springs Town Council May 19, 2026 Agenda Packet (here)

Holly Springs, NC, May 13, 2026 — Even as residential growth in Holly Springs begins showing signs of slowing after years of expansion, the town is preparing to spend more heavily than ever on roads, utilities, parks, and public infrastructure.

Town Manager Randy Harrington’s proposed fiscal year 2026-27 (FY27) operating budget and community investment plan (document) totals $139.2 million, an 18.3% increase over the current year, driven largely by transportation projects, utility infrastructure expansion, recreation investments, and operational growth tied to a larger and more complex town government. The proposal keeps Holly Springs’ municipal property tax rate unchanged at 34.35 cents per $100 valuation, but residents would still see noticeable increases in monthly utility-related costs.

The recommended budget (document) arrives at a moment when Holly Springs is trying to manage two realities at once. The town continues to absorb the effects of years of rapid development, particularly traffic congestion and infrastructure strain, while new residential permitting activity has begun to slow considerably. Budget documents show that Holly Springs averaged roughly 600 single-family permits annually over the past decade, but permits dropped below 300 in 2025. At the same time, assessed property values are still projected to rise from $13.9 billion to $14.6 billion during the next fiscal year.

Quick Read Summary of Recommended FY27 Budget

Click on the image to enlarge the graphic

Town leaders repeatedly tied the proposal to results from the 2025 community survey, in which residents continued to rate Holly Springs highly overall while identifying traffic and growth management as the town’s biggest concerns.

“With over 95% of residents positively rating their quality of life, and 96% saying that they feel safe in town, that’s an incredible level of agreement on how residents feel about their overall local environment,” Harrington said. “But we know that there are also opportunities for improvement.”

Much of the budget’s largest spending is concentrated around transportation and mobility projects intended to address the town’s most persistent complaint. Construction is expected to begin during FY27 on the central phase of the Holly Springs Road widening project between Flint Point Lane and Main Street, extending the larger effort to build a four-lane divided corridor connecting NC 55 toward Interstate 540. Town documents describe the project as both a traffic-relief initiative and a multimodal safety project, incorporating side paths and pedestrian improvements.

The town is also continuing investment in its Intelligent Transportation System network, which includes traffic cameras, real-time monitoring tools, and traffic signal technology intended to improve emergency response movement through intersections. Holly Springs has already partnered with NCDOT on roughly $2 million in ITS infrastructure, though the system is still operated by the state. The proposed budget funds operational planning work intended to eventually transition control to the town itself.

The budget also continues expanding the Holly Springs Hopper microtransit service, which launched earlier this year and has already carried more than 3,200 riders. More than half of current passengers qualify for fare-free service because they are seniors or individuals with disabilities, and town officials said approximately 65% of operating costs are currently offset through grant funding. The town is considering expanded weekday service hours and possible Saturday operations later this year.

At the same time, Holly Springs is working to improve mobility and is preparing for some of the largest recreation and public facility expansions in its history.

How to share your thoughts on the budget with Council Members

The town council is scheduled to hold a public hearing on the proposed budget on May 19th at Town Hall (map), followed by an additional workshop on May 21st, before planned adoption on June 2nd. Information on how you can participate in the Public Hearing can be found by clicking here.

The proposed budget continues funding tied to Eagles Landing Park, the 56-acre recreation campus under construction on Cass Holt Road across from Holly Springs High School. The project includes a planned 100,000-square-foot recreation center with four indoor courts, pickleball courts, splash pads, turf fields, fitness areas, greenway connections, and an e-sports lounge. The budget adds seven new parks and recreation positions in anticipation of the facility’s opening in late 2027.

“I think it’s safe to say that Eagles Landing Park may be the most anticipated attraction to come in 2027,” Harrington said.

The budget also includes nearly $4 million in improvements at the North Main Athletic Complex, supported in part by approximately $1.8 million in Wake County hospitality tax funding. Planned work includes stadium turf replacement, parking lot resurfacing, scoreboard upgrades, and mechanical system improvements at the complex, which officials said receives nearly 750,000 annual visitors.

Meanwhile, the town’s new Operations Campus is expected to begin opening this summer, becoming Holly Springs’ first major non-public safety or recreation municipal facility developed in more than two decades. The campus will house Public Works, Utilities and Infrastructure, Parks and Recreation, and support staff from multiple departments, and will also serve as the future home of the town’s relocated yard-waste convenience center.

Additional funding is included for Cultural Center renovations through a partnership with Wake County, including roof replacement, HVAC upgrades, restroom renovations, and library modernization. The budget also funds Holly Springs’ upcoming 150th-anniversary celebration, which culminates in the planned “Holly-Hoopla” event in May 2027.

But some of the most financially significant projects in the budget are largely underground and mostly invisible to residents.

Harrington described the expansion of the Utley Creek Water Reclamation Facility and the regional Tri-River Water Filtration Facility partnership as “two of the largest infrastructure projects in the town’s history.” The Utley Creek expansion increases wastewater treatment capacity from six million gallons per day to eight million gallons per day using membrane bioreactor filtration technology, while the Tri-River partnership with Sanford and Fuquay-Varina is intended to strengthen Holly Springs’ long-term drinking water capacity and resiliency.

Town documents state that more than $500 million in utility investments are underway or planned over the next five years, helping to explain why utility-related fees are rising even without a town property tax increase. The proposal increases monthly water and wastewater costs for a typical residential customer by $11.89, bringing the estimated monthly bill for 4,000 gallons of usage to roughly $111.30.

Harrington attempted to frame the scale of municipal water service by comparing it to the cost of bottled water.

“To get the same amount of water, you’d have to purchase 30,240 standard-size water bottles,” Harrington said. “Those 15 pallets would cost you $5,040, and that doesn’t even include the shipping or the removal of any wastewater associated with that.”

The proposal also raises the monthly stormwater fee from $5.20 to $6.50 to help address approximately $2.5 million in identified stormwater repair and improvement needs, marking the first stormwater fee increase since 2021. Garbage and recycling charges would also increase by 69 cents per month due to contractor pass-through costs, while yard waste fees would remain unchanged. Combined, all proposed utility and sanitation increases would raise the average household monthly bill from $126.49 to $140.37, an increase of $13.88 per month.

The budget also expands town staffing, adding 19 new full-time positions, including a fire health and safety officer, an engineering project manager, a planner focused partly on housing affordability and long-range planning, a utility budget analyst, a pretreatment supervisor, and seven parks and recreation positions associated with Eagles Landing Park. The proposal also creates a chief of staff position to help coordinate strategic initiatives and organization-wide operations.

Additional funding is provided for design work for a future fire station on Rex Road, intended to serve rapidly growing neighborhoods in southwest Holly Springs, including areas around Bridgeberry, Avocet, Holly Pointe, and Braxton Village. Construction is currently anticipated to begin in 2028.

Taken together, the recommended budget reflects a town still preparing aggressively for future growth, even as development activity begins to moderate, with officials signaling that long-term infrastructure investment, transportation expansion, and utility capacity upgrades remain central priorities regardless of short-term permitting slowdowns.

How to share your thoughts on the budget with Council Members

The town council is scheduled to hold a public hearing on the proposed budget on May 19th at Town Hall (map), followed by an additional workshop on May 21st, before planned adoption on June 2nd. Information on how you can participate in the Public Hearing can be found by clicking here.