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
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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…