TOWN OF GARNER / FINANCE GarnerNC . gov neighborhood parks and two dog parks . The municipal parks system includes White Deer Park , comprising 96 acres of passive parkland with a LEED Gold-certified Nature Center , and adjoining Lake Benson Park , which is home to the Garner Veterans Memorial . The Town sponsors numerous special events throughout the year and also operates the Garner Performing Arts Center .
In November 2021 , Garner voters overwhelmingly approved a bond program authorizing the Town to issue up to $ 69 million in Street and Sidewalk Bonds , Parks and Recreational Bonds , Public Safety and Services Facilities Bonds , and Stormwater Bonds . In FY 23-24 , one of the signature projects of this bond program — the Caddy Road Public Safety Station — was completed . The facility houses Garner Fire- Rescue , Wake County EMS and provides touchdown space for the Garner Police Department .
The Town Council approved a $ 60.9 million operating budget for FY 23-24 , which was a 14 percent increase over the previous year ’ s amended budget . The adopted budget included a property tax rate increase of 7.49 cents , bringing Garner ’ s tax rate to 62.7 cents per $ 100 of valuation . The budget targeted not only critical needs of the Town but was focused on improving Town and Garner Fire-Rescue employee pay to retain and attract top talent , anticipate and manage growth , and continue to ensure Town residents and staff are safe and secure in their everyday lives .
The FY 23-24 budget included funds to hire four new police officers to maintain service levels and three fire battalion chiefs cost-shared with Wake County to ensure the Caddy Road Public Safety Station would be fully staffed when it opened .
Garner ’ s local economy remains strong . The town ’ s largest employers include an Amazon fulfillment center that employs over 3,000 people , the Wake County Public School System and numerous retail and distribution-sector employers .
Garner by the Numbers
39,786
POPULATION
24 % growth in past five years
64.8 % HOMEOWNERSHIP RATE
$ 77,496
MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME
45.8 %
PERCENT OF RESIDENTS WITH BACHELOR ’ S DEGREE OR HIGHER
37.6
MEDIAN AGE
Sources : Garner Planning Department , U . S . Census Bureau
POPULAR ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT 2024 | 7