Town of Cary
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311 serves as the Town's central non-emergency communication hub between citizens and Town Hall. Along with fielding requests, answering questions, and recording feedback, 311 assists citizens in navigating the Town's many departments and services, connecting them with the appropriate staff members and departments to help meet their needs.
Facilities, Construction, and Field Services focuses on vertical asset capital project delivery and is the liaison to General Fund-supported departments for capital project planning and budgeting. The department also performs project management services for Town projects in addition to monitoring the construction of said projects in the field, creating safe and effective solutions for the public by ensuring proper procedures are followed, facilities continue to function at sufficient levels, and that the facility design process is carried out in a fiscally-responsible manner using best practices. In addition, the department focuses on the interpretation and enforcement of standard specifications and details as they apply to new development and Town capital projects.
Finance administers the financial affairs of the Town including cash management, accounting, debt administration, payroll, utility billing and collection, accounts payable and receivable, risk management, and purchasing and provides service to anyone using Town utilities, including citizens, other Town departments, employees, and vendors. Along with developing and executing the Town's budget, the Finance Department produces the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report. This includes general information about the Town, financial statements and the independent auditors’ report as well as statistical information. Thanks to prudent financial decision-making and action by the entire team of Council and staff, the Town of Cary’s bonds are rated AAA--the best possible rating for a local government.
Fire protects the community from the adverse effects of disasters and emergencies by employing highly motivated, well-trained fire personnel who use proactive and cost efficient approaches to emergency response and public fire education; provides fire suppression, emergency medical service in a first responder capacity, and technical rescues. The department is internationally accredited.
Human Resources develops and promotes model personnel and safety programs and practices designed to attract, develop, and retain a well-qualified and diverse workforce for Town government. Responsibilities include advising management on recruitment and hiring, classification and pay, employee relations, performance reviews, equal employment opportunities, employee training and development, benefits administration, and employee safety.
Information Technology supports Town Council and staff through the management and use of technology to provide better and more cost-effective services to the Town. This includes technology support for Town facilities, initiatives, projects, meetings, and events to provide the best experience possible to Cary's citizens, Town Council, and staff.
Inspections and Permits reviews plans and issues permits for building construction; administers and enforces all residential and commercial elements of the NC Building Code -- Building, Fire, Mechanical, Plumbing, and Electrical -- as well as applicable local laws; calculates and collects development-related fees.
Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources provides a variety of cost-effective and high quality recreation, sports, environmental, historical, and cultural arts programs and services by programming and operating the Town’s parks, greenways, recreation, athletic, and cultural facilities for all Cary residents; manages the Town’s four sports and entertainment special venues—WakeMed Soccer Park, Cary Tennis Park, USA Baseball National Training Complex, Koka Booth Amphitheatre. The department is nationally accredited.
Planning and Development Services implements comprehensive growth and land use plans, small area, district and corridor plans, open space/historic resources planning, affordable housing plans and programs, and redevelopment. The department also reviews and manages all development plans and processes, helping clients understand and navigate their projects. Planning and Development Services pursues and coordinates intergovernmental and regional planning and agreements. Department staff is responsible for assembling demographic data, maintaining and enforcing zoning ordinances, processing sign permits, preparing maps, and assisting planning boards and commissions. This department also handles annexations and rezonings.
Police partners with the community to protect life and property via geographic policing districts to help ensure Cary remains one of the nation’s safest cities; includes Police Records, Traffic Safety and School Resource Officer teams as well as a Criminal/Juvenile Investigations Division; operates the Emergency Communications Center (911); provides Animal Control services; leads Project PHOENIX (Promoting Healthy Occupancy through Education, Networking and Information eXchange). The department is nationally accredited.
Public Works maintains and repairs Town buildings, grounds, parks, greenways, streets, and traffic signals as well as water, wastewater, and reclaimed water lines and equipment located off a plant site; collects and properly disposes of garbage and trash, yard waste, and recycling, conducts fleet maintenance for all Town vehicles and equipment; coordinates community litter reduction and beautification.
The Town Attorney’s Office is the legal advisor for Town Council and staff. Attorneys in the Office cannot give legal advice or provide legal representation to private citizens.
The Town Manager's Office includes the Town Manager -- who serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the organization -- along with his deputy and assistant town managers, Economic Development, Learning and Organizational Development, 311, Research and Development, Capital Planning, Community Projects, Marketing, Intergovernmental, Real Estate, Housing, Environment, and Stormwater. The Town Manager is responsible for implementing the policies set forth by the Town Council and exercises management responsibility over all operational departments. Through management of the operational departments, the Manager’s Office ensures the advancement of the vision, goals, and policies of the Town Council and that all local, state and federal laws and regulations are met.
The Town Clerk's Office supports the Town Council and is responsible for giving notice of town council meetings, preparing the council agenda and recording council proceedings, serving as custodian of all permanent Town records, keeping the Town seal, attesting all Town documents, updating the Town’s Code of Ordinances, and keeping records of appointments and terms of the various boards and commissions.
Transportation is responsible for the planning, design, and construction of all Town transportation infrastructure including sidewalks, greenways, and streets; addresses traffic engineering and safety issues; oversees surveying and design-related technical services; and operates the Town’s Traffic Management Center.
Utilities provides an adequate and safe water supply to citizens of the towns of Cary, Apex, and Morrisville as well as the Raleigh Durham International Airport and the Wake County portion of the Research Triangle Park; responsible for water, wastewater, and reclaimed water system planning, design, and construction as well as water conservation and field services; operates and maintains water, wastewater, and reclaimed water treatment, storage and pumping facilities and instrumentation; manages water, wastewater, and reclaimed water regulatory permitting and compliance; oversees pretreatment efforts.