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Cary's Budget Process

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Cary’s Annual Budget Development Process

Cary’s process begins long before the introduction of the Manager’s Recommended Budget in May. It is a year-round process. The staff will start this process this fall before referring information to the Council in late winter. The proposed budget is introduced in May and subject to two public hearings. By North Carolina law, a balanced budget must be approved by June 30 each year.

For Fiscal Year 2027 (which began on July 1, 2026) here’s what the schedule looked like to Council.

budget schedule
budget schedule
(Credit: Slide Deck, Town of Cary Council-Staff Retreat, 2/20/26-2/21/26. The Budget Open House occurred in April, 2026.)

Before this year's calendar is established, the staff will work on proposed department budgets. This past year, staff was asked to draft their budgets late in the calendar year to be ready to introduce the first proposals to Council in late February at the Council-Staff Retreat.

The time to make the greatest impact is early. If you have ideas about how to better manage the process or to determine what is important, this fall is the ideal time to reach out.

Examples of what might be suggested:

  • Developing budget scenarios that include cutting spending by an overall percentage for every department.
  • Clearer policy statement on compensation, our Town’s greatest expense. (More than “we pay the best to get the best.)
  • Developing a plan that remains truly revenue neutral when the county revaluation comes up in 2027.

Citizens can contribute ideas to the budget year-round using 311. These messages are combined in the Pulse Report, which is shared with Council members and staff. You can also use three minutes at Public Speaks Out at the beginning of any Council meeting. Sign up to speak HERE.

Link to the Cary Budget HERE

ADDITIONAL NOTE: On June 11, 2026, the Council committed to becoming involved in the 2028 budget process by August, 2026. July was even suggested. As of the August 28 meetings, no budget information has been brought before Council. The August Council Quarterly meeting was cancelled. It has been rescheduled for Tuesday, September 15 at the Herb Young Recreation Center at 1:00 p.m. The agenda will be posted one week in advance.