Holly Springs · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Holly Springs public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Nonprofit grant and rental discount policies
The town's share of upcoming Cultural Center renovations — lobby, roof, and mechanical systems — totals about $2.3 million spread over five years starting in FY27.
Replacing the Town's 20-year-old financial software
The Town's 20-year-old financial system is being replaced with Oracle NetSuite — the software that runs accounting, budgeting, utility billing, and purchasing. Residents will notice changes when the new utility billing portal rolls out around 2028.
Consent agenda spending transparency
Dawn Cozzolino criticized bundling major financial items into a single consent vote, arguing the $85.9 million Street and Sidewalk Capital Project Ordinance deserved individual debate since developer contributions cover less than 1% of the cost.
Surging public records requests
Requests jumped 190% over 2025 — 337 in the first five months — plus botnet attacks from the Netherlands posing as a media outlet. The clerk worries the two-person department's manual process won't scale, but software wouldn't save time either.
Nonprofit Grant Funding
The town won $1.789 million in Wake County hospitality tax funding for North Main Athletic Complex projects, but must match 50% — likely from fund balance.
Proclamation Policy Transparency
A 26-year resident asked the Council to publish a clear, written, neutral policy for mayoral proclamations — including criteria, who approves them, and an annual request log — within 60 days.
State Tax Cap Legislation Risk
Proposals in the General Assembly could cap how much towns can raise property tax rates, threatening future funding for big projects like Eagles Landing Park and Fire Station 4. Council weighed whether a 2027 bond could lock in capacity before any caps take effect.
2027 Mayor & Council Retreat planning
Council picked the Rizzo Center in Chapel Hill for Feb. 4-6, 2027 — the cheapest option and easiest for staff to reach. Absent Council Member Foster had emailed other date ideas.
Strategic Plan Updates
Staff proposed new initiatives for Fire Station 5, a housing affordability action plan, wastewater capacity beyond 8 million gallons per day, and Eagles Landing programming. Council asked for tweaks on fire station siting, regional transit wording, community engagement, and senior emphasis. Adoption expected April 21.
FY27 Budget Revenue Slowdown
Property tax growth is projected at 4% instead of the usual 8%, leaving about $1.7 million less revenue growth for FY27. Expected revenue growth of $3.7 million will be mostly consumed by raises, insurance, retirement contributions, and new facility operating costs.
2026 Legislative Agenda
The Council's advocacy agenda pushes for a new U.S. 1 interchange, wastewater expansion funding, a new elevated water tank, housing affordability partnerships with Wake County, and a heavy rescue fire truck for the highways.
Town Financial Health and FY2025 Audit
The town's audit came back spotless with the highest possible opinion, AAA bond ratings from both agencies, and a $23.2 million rainy-day fund — good news for future borrowing on big projects.