Cary has a council-manager form of government. The town manager is responsible for implementing the policies set forth by the Town Council and exercises management responsibility over all operational staff and departments. The town manager recommends the Annual Budget and ensures that all local, state and federal laws and regulations are met. 

View the North Carolina General Statute here.

In local government, employment agreements for town managers typically outline responsibilities, compensation, and terms of separation. Professional guidance from the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) emphasizes ethical negotiation, transparency, and clearly defined provisions to balance organizational stability with accountability. Learn more here.

View Sean Stegall's 2016 contract

View Sean Stegall's 2025 settlement

State law (G.S. 159-34) requires every local government to have its accounts audited each fiscal year by an independent certified public accountant. The auditor reports directly to Town Council—not to staff—to ensure independence. Cary's financial statements must be prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), and the audit itself must follow generally accepted auditing standards (GAAS). The completed audit is filed with the NC Local Government Commission and made available to the public. 

The Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) is the official, technical audit document with detailed financial statements and 10-year trend data. You can read previous ACFRs here, and read this year’s staff report here. 

This drop-down was updated on February 4 from ‘Land Purchases’ to ‘Information About Town Purchases’ to provide more context on the topics below while maintaining easy access to resources. Original content regarding Land and Trolley Purchases can be found below the ‘Purchasing Rules’ section. 

Purchasing Rules 

When purchasing goods, services, and construction, North Carolina municipalities must follow state laws based on how much money the contract will cost. You can learn more about these rules here: A Citizen’s Guide to Understanding Town of Cary Purchasing Processes. 

Land Purchases 

Two plots of land were purchased by the Town on July 31, 2024 (600 Kildaire Farm Road and 604 Kildaire Farm Road). We are continuing to fulfill records requests regarding these purchases.   

Review the Town’s Delegation of Authority Resolution and North Carolina’s Exercise of Corporate Power Statute for more context on the purchasing authority in Cary.  

Trolley Purchase & Resale 

In 2022, Council approved the purchase of two trolleys for a Downtown Cary Loop service to address parking concerns and offer a unique mobility experience. Because the trolleys would operate as part of the Town's federally funded transit system, they needed to meet Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) vehicle regulations. Upon delivery, the trolleys failed to meet expectations, and staff began evaluating replacement options while storing the vehicles in a secure and safe location. This delayed the Downtown Loop from Fall 2023 to Spring 2024, when service launched using standard GoCary buses. The trolleys were sold in Summer 2025. 

Municipalities invest in strategic marketing to attract tourism, drive economic development, and compete for business investment. Cary's marketing strategy focuses on three objectives: increasing awareness of Cary as a destination for visitors and businesses; sharing Cary's approach and commitment to excellence with other communities; and generating measurable returns through media coverage and economic impact.

Cary provides a competitive, comprehensive benefits program to serve the diverse needs of our employees and their families. The program follows Cary's Code of Ordinance Section 2-92.

Learn more here, and view related records requests on our portal.

The Town of Cary holds regular public hearings on important matters such as the Town budget, comprehensive plan, rezonings, and more. These hearings give residents a chance to share their thoughts before key decisions are made. We believe an informed, engaged community is the foundation of effective government.

Speak at a Council meeting

Watch Council meetings

View Council meeting agendas and minutes

Policies articulate Council’s broad vision on a topic and are established and adopted by Council. Policies are managed by the Town Clerk's Office, and creating, updating, or deleting policies requires Council approval. View Town of Cary’s policies by number. 

Standard Procedures guide direct department actions, particularly when those actions impact other departments. When used alongside a policy, Standard Procedures provide the operational detail needed to implement Council’s general guidance. Standard Procedures are approved by the Town Manager's Office and can be updated more frequently. Examples include the Travel and Training Expenses Standard Procedure and the Procurement Card (P-Card) Standard Procedure. 

Delegation of authority resolution

The Town of Cary has long demonstrated a strong commitment to upholding both the letter and the spirit of North Carolina’s public records laws, which include but are not limited to North Carolina General Statutes chapters 132 and 160A-168. We are focused on ensuring an open, timely, accurate and complete exchange of public information with our citizens, and this commitment is articulated in our public records policy.

Public records related to this incident have been made available to the larger citizenry via a searchable public records portal.