Holly Springs Citizens Academy

Thanks for your interest! Applications for the 2026 Holly Springs Citizens Academy have closed. The Town plans to open applications for the 2027 academy next January.

About the Academy

This Town Council initiative helps community members better understand how Holly Springs services work for them. The seven-week academy covers a wide range of topics, including community safety, budgeting, and yard waste collection. In-person, hands-on, interactive sessions will provide participants with an opportunity to gain firsthand knowledge of what it takes to serve the growing number of residents and businesses that call Holly Springs home. Participants also have the opportunity to ask questions and get to know Town leaders and staff.

During the academy, in-person sessions are held at various Town facilities, with graduation at a Town Council meeting. Each session begins with an introduction, followed by interactive and hands-on activities. Evenings will conclude with a group Q&A session with the staff. Sessions also include an informal meal where participants can enjoy friendly conversations and build relationships. 

Participants must be able to attend all seven sessions held on Thursday nights, 5:30-8 p.m, Feb. 26-April 16. Space is limited. Last year, out of nearly 60 applicants, 24 participants were selected for the academy

Sessions cover: 

• Overview of Town Government & Managing Traffic

  The Holly Springs Citizens Academy begins with an exploration the government structure of Holly Springs, and then it's on to an interactive discussion of how Town staff work to manage traffic. Traffic management was identified as one of residents' top priorities in the most recent Community Survey. Participants will learn why solutions to traffic are so complex and take part in a hands-on exercise that will demonstrate the roadblocks that can arise for funded projects.  

• Shaping Holly Springs: Planning for Residential and Business Growth 

  Holly Springs is one of the fastest-growing municipalities in Wake County. In this eye-opening evening, residents will learn about the tools the Town uses to manage growth and receive a unique opportunity to hear about how we recruit businesses to Holly Springs. Participants will learn about how growth has occurred in Holly Springs, how the Town plans for growth, and the rules that govern how the Town regulates development proposals. Participants will also learn how economic development recruitment is attracting thousands of jobs, increasing commercial investment to balance the tax base, and serving as a major driver for the Town’s economy now and in the future. 

• Community Safety 

  Holly Springs is recognized as one of the safest towns in North Carolina, and its Fire Department holds an ISO #1 rating, ranking it among the best in the nation. Get an inside look at why Holly Springs provides such a high level of public safety for residents. Expect hands-on activities. Last year, participants were shown what a traffic stop looks like from an officer’s perspective and ran lidar and radar on passing vehicles to understand the importance of traffic enforcement. Holly Springs firefighters helped participants try on firefighting gear and experience what it's like to operate a fire hose. 

• An Evening in the Life of a Town Council Member

  This session offers participants an opportunity to step into the shoes of local decision-makers! Begin the night by engaging directly with your elected Holly Springs Town Council members. Then participate in a dynamic, hands-on mock Council meeting where you'll take on the roles of Council members and engaged citizens, considering issues just as they do every month. The evening will also feature a Q&A session with Town Council members and conclude with a tour of Town Hall.

• Parks & Recreation

  Academy participants will experience the behind-the-scenes operations of a dynamic parks and recreation department by learning the benefits beyond the fun and games, and through hands-on safety and planning exercises. As the Town prepares to build the new Eagles Landing Park, learn how tough decisions are made when choosing amenities for the community to enjoy. A VIP tour of the stadium will also be included. 

• Keeping the Town Running (Above & Below the Ground)

  Citizens Academy participants get special access to the facilities where unsung heroes quietly keep the Town running day in and day out. Evening activities include a comprehensive tour of the Town’s wastewater treatment facility and an explanation of the concept of “one water,” covering drinking water, flushing toilets, and reclaimed water. Then on to the Public Works facility to find out how a call to 311 leads to crews being dispatched to respond to the request. Learn about yard waste carts, how to properly place excessive yard waste loads, and more. 

• Money Matters & Community Connections

  Experience the process that goes into weighing the needs of a growing town and building an annual operating budget. During the activity, participants will learn the key elements of the Town’s finances, review realistic funding requests, and gain an understanding of the decision-making process that goes into building a Town budget. Then, dive into how the Town's Communications & Marketing team and 311 staff are building connections with the community.