An annexation of by the Town Of Cary may have many effects on neighborhoods and their residents. While we may not be able to exactly state the full impact (which may vary for each property), we are providing below our assessment of costs and benefits.

• Taxes.

An annexation by the Town of Cary would mean an increase of $0.33 per $100 valuation of property for a total of $0.984 per $100.

In addition to the $0.564 Wake County tax rate that you would continue to pay as a resident of Cary, you will have to pay Cary taxes of $0.42/$100. The current fire district rate of $0.09 per $100 would fall away as you would be covered by Cary's municipal fire and police services.

For a $200,000 house this would mean an increase of $660 per year (please note that approx. a third of this amount would be deducted from your taxes and you can also save by using Cary's solid waste collection services - estimated at $125 by the Town of Cary, resulting in a net increase of approx. $300 per year).

• Utilities.

Water and Sewer. Annexation by Cary means that if Cary's infrastructure (water & sewer) is extended into your neighborhood, you could apply for connection to these.

Residents of Cary that choose not to connect to city water and sewer pay a $3 monthly charge for the ability to be connected to these service (note that the Town of Cary cannot force you to connect if your well and septic tank are functional [Click here for Cary's extension and connection policy]. If they fail, and Wake County certifies that you cannot replace these, you will have to connect).

Cary has quoted the average cost of connecting at around what you'd have to pay for a new well / septic system. They range from approx. $2,000 if your property is adjacent to city infrastructure to probably $10,000 and more if you are removed from a main street.

Additionally, you may be required to connect to city water and fill in your old well if a sewer extension is installed within twenty-five feet of your well, costing approximately $2,000 (assuming you are connecting to city sewer infrastructure).

From the Town of Cary website: "In the event that a resident requests sewer service only and the resident is not required to connect to the Town water system, the resident will be required to install a meter on their well or other source of water for the purpose of sewer billing."

"In order to minimize public health and safety risks, such as septic failure, well failure, inadequate water supply for fire protection or substandard water quality from well water, the Town Council may order utility extensions into unserved areas without a request of the property owners in the area."

Connection to Cary's water (click here for current Cary water rates and follow this link for Town of Cary Water Facts) and sewer system (click here for current Cary sewer rates) will cost approx. $28 per month for water and approx. $24 per month for sewer (estimates are based on Draper Aden Associates' 2003 North Carolina Water & Wastewater Rate Report) for a total estimated average utility bill of $52 per month.

Note that this doesn't take into account the water restrictions in effect for residents of the Town of Cary.

Trash Collection. As resident of Cary you will be able to have the town collect your garbage and recycleables for a cost of approx. $7 per month, which may be more affordable than your current provider. However, you would not be forced to change and will be able to keep your existing service (Click here for more information on Town of Cary solid waste collection).

Other

Cary Vehicle Tax. In addition to the Wake County Tax on vehicles ($0.73 per $100 car value) all Cary residents are also subject to the city's car tax of $0.54 per $100 value. On top of that you have to pay a $15 Cary Vehicle Fee.

If you car is worth approximately $15,000 you will pay an additional $91 per year.

Pet Tax. Cary maintains a one-time pet tax that every pet owner must pay (pets need to be registered). The tax is $10 if your dog/cat is spayed/neutered, $20 if not fixed.

Additionally, there is a leash law that residents must obey (click on this link to visit the Town of Cary Animal Control department).

Your Business. Laws and regulations for businesses in the Town of Cary will also apply to us if this goes through. Below is an excerpt from the Town of Cary website:

"Any person maintaining a business on a property that is within the Town must obtain a Privilege (i.e. Business) License from the Town Finance Department.  Therefore, after June 30, 2003, all properties being annexed into the Town with businesses on them must obtain a Town Privilege License and pay a Privilege License Tax unless specifically exempted by state law. If an individual or company is engaged in more than one type of business, separate licenses may be required for each type.

"A Privilege License can be obtained by completing a Privilege License Application. Also, if your business is located in your home, the Town requires that the business be in compliance with its Home Occupation Ordinance. For all Home Occupations, a Town of Cary Home Occupations Form must be returned with the Privilege License Application. "

Please follow this link for annexation benefits as described by the Town of Cary.