budget

Expressed frustration over lack of correspondence from some council members and questioned ongoing accountability after the state audit.

Expressed concern over municipal spending and the vehicle stipend for council members, urging greater transparency.

Criticized town leadership and spending practices following recent state audit findings, calling for accountability.

Offered to volunteer to run a citizen-based oversight committee to independently review PCARD and expense purchases at no cost.

Urged the council to reconsider tax increases, noting seniors are struggling to pay rising property taxes.

Criticized town spending on promotional videos and book publishing while taxes increase.

Questioned the practicality of town spending, including park maintenance costs and past expenditures.

Highlighted departmental spending increases in the budget and questioned the lack of clear performance improvements.

Criticized department spending increases and called for budget cuts, hiring freezes, and a forensic audit.

Expressed opposition to the proposed budget, arguing it harms the middle class and victims of violence.

Urged the council to challenge management to cut spending instead of raising taxes following financial scandals.

Reiterated opposition to the budget during the public hearing, calling it capitalistic and burdensome to the poor.

Expressed opposition to property tax rate increases, citing inflation and urging budget cuts instead.

Urged the council to include a robust housing bond referendum and increase the FY27 housing budget to support affordability.

A state house candidate cautioned against echo chambers in local government and questioned spending on promotional videos rather than core needs.

Supported town investments in sidewalks and side paths, sharing personal experiences relying on e-bikes and transit.

Advocated for increased budget funding for senior services and programs to support older adults on fixed incomes.

Urged adding $1 million in senior service funding to support aging residents and prevent costly crises.

Supported the proposed budget and tax increase, comparing town maintenance to vehicle upkeep and praising local services.

Urged the town to reduce property tax rates and utilize zero-based budgeting to protect seniors on fixed incomes.

Shared findings from town budget priority sessions, emphasizing quality of life, public safety, infrastructure, and keeping taxes stable for fixed-income residents.

Urged the council to fully restore the staff merit pay budget to 5%, noting that staff provide exceptional service despite lean staffing levels.

Raised concerns regarding recent financial reports, transparency, and potential conflicts of interest among town leadership.

Criticized town leadership for lack of accountability and raised concerns over film programming decisions at The Cary Theater.

Requested pedestrian safety improvements at Kildaire Farm Road and Kilmain Road, and asked for transparency on investigation invoices and employee survey costs.

Cautioned against increasing the merit budget due to potential long-term tax impacts and suggested limiting increases to frontline staff.

Thanked the council for the Ramadan proclamation and encouraged careful consideration of community concerns regarding development projects.