Wake Republicans Urge Cary to Withhold Nearly $200,000 Severance

The Wake County Republican Party publicly urged Cary officials on Jan. 6, 2026, to withhold nearly $200,000 in severance payments to former Town Manager Sean Stegall until a state audit of the town’s finances is complete. The request came amid continuing scrutiny of Cary spending after Stegall was placed on administrative leave in late November and resigned on Dec. 13, 2025 amid questions about spending practices.

Party leaders framed the withholding as a temporary step to preserve funds while the state auditor conducts its review. The state audit, now underway, is expected to examine the town’s financial practices and reporting. Local officials have said the audit will inform whether any corrective actions or policy changes are necessary, though details on the audit’s scope and timing remain limited.

The town is also launching its Biennial Citizen Satisfaction Survey, with consultants scheduled to begin contacting randomly selected residents on Jan. 12 and continuing through the end of February. The survey will ask residents to evaluate town services and responsiveness, providing elected officials with fresh data on public priorities and satisfaction levels at a moment of heightened attention to municipal management.

The severance dispute raises practical and political questions for Cary. Withholding the payment would keep funds in town control during the audit, but the town’s ability to delay or alter contractual payments will depend on legal and administrative considerations. Town leaders face a choice between ensuring fiscal safeguards while the audit proceeds and meeting any contractual obligations tied to Stegall’s employment terms.

The episode has implications for residents who rely on stable municipal services and transparent stewardship of public money. An audit that identifies weaknesses in controls or reporting could prompt changes to procurement, budgeting, and oversight structures. The citizen survey underway will give elected officials and staff a baseline of public sentiment that may shape priorities as the town responds to audit findings.

Local elected officials and party leaders have publicly weighed in on the matter, underscoring divergent expectations about transparency and accountability. For Cary residents, the coming weeks will be important: the state auditor’s review and the citizen satisfaction survey together will influence policy discussions at Town Council meetings and inform decisions about municipal governance going forward.