Elect Gary Hartong
Wake County Commissioner At-Large
Bringing New Leadership to Wake County
Gary Hartong, PE is candidate for the Wake County Board of Commissioners At-Large seat for the 2026 election. A resident of North Carolina for 31 years and Wake County for 23 years, Gary has witnessed the unprecedented growth in our capital county and the challenges brought with it. A staunch advocate for infrastructure systems investment, Gary believes that Wake County should prioritize its tax dollars to sustain and improve our infrastructure systems, modernize our schools, and support our small and large businesses that call Wake County home.
Meet Gary Hartong
Gary Hartong, PE is a professional engineer and President of The Wooten Company, one of North Carolina’s leading civil and environmental engineering firms. With more than 25 years of experience, he has led major water, sewer, and community infrastructure projects that strengthen local economies and improve quality of life. Starting as an intern and rising through every level of leadership, Gary built his career on turning smart investments into real, measurable results for communities.
He is an active leader in the engineering profession, serving in national and state organizations that advance strong infrastructure policy and support small-community development. His peers recognized his long-standing contributions by inducting him into the American Council of Engineering Companies College of Fellows — one of the industry’s highest honors.
Gary holds both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in engineering from NC State University. Throughout his career, he has championed practical, future-ready solutions that help towns, cities and counties grow with intention — strengthening small businesses, upgrading essential infrastructure, and ensuring communities are built to last.
Gary's Focus
Gary believes that Wake County will continue to be a vibrant, thriving community based on the foundations of robust infrastructure, modern schools, strong business environment, and fiscal conservancy.
Innovative Infrastructure
Working alongside its 12 municipalities, state agencies and developers, Wake County should ensure that its physical infrastructure—roads, water, sewer, parks, buildings, and broadband—is positioned to provide uninterrupted, high-quality services for its residents and businesses. Long-term capital planning must be strategic, data-driven, and forward-looking to keep pace with growth and evolving community needs. Reliable infrastructure is the backbone of thriving communities, supporting everything from daily mobility to public safety and economic development. By investing wisely and proactively, Wake County can strengthen quality of life and position itself for sustained success.
Fiscal Conservancy
Modern, Safe Schools
Wake County Public Schools is one of the top-performing public school systems in the nation, and the County dedicates nearly 50% of its $2 billion budget to operating more than 200 schools. To keep pace with a growing population, existing facilities should be modernized and optimized, while new schools must be designed with innovative approaches that reduce long-term operations and maintenance costs. The current backlog—$200 million in deferred HVAC maintenance and 70 school closings since 2023— undermines educational stability. Wake County must prioritize proactive investment to ensure safe, efficient, and high-quality learning environments for every educator and student.
Strong Business Climate
Supporting local businesses in Wake County strengthens the community by keeping dollars circulating close to home and reinforcing a stable, dynamic local economy. Small businesses create jobs, provide essential services, and contribute to a vibrant marketplace that reflects the County’s character. Their success often translates into improved public amenities, safer neighborhoods, and greater investment in shared community assets such as parks, schools, and infrastructure. Wake County should also work closely with the State and its municipal partners to continue building its corporate technology, life sciences and biotech, advanced manufacturing, education, and healthcare hubs.
Wake County taxpayers deserve a government that lives within its means, prioritizes core services, and treats every community fairly. Recent financial decisions raise serious questions about whether current tax levels are still justified.
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Excessive Property Tax Collections: In Fiscal Year 2025, Wake County collected $77 million more in property taxes than planned, signaling that taxpayers are being overcharged while families continue to face rising costs of living.
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Overfunded Reserves: The County is maintaining a 30% fund balance reserve, which is double the recommended minimum, on a $2 billion annual budget. While responsible savings are important, stockpiling taxpayer dollars beyond reasonable levels should trigger a reassessment of tax rates—not expanded spending. Another $500 million remains in an untouched infrastructure reserve fund.
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Inequitable Hospitality Taxes: The 1% prepared food and beverage tax and 6% lodging tax, totaling $90 million annually, impact every restaurant and hospitality business across Wake County. Yet half of these funds subsidize the Raleigh Convention Center, with the remainder distributed through a competitive grant process—leaving many communities and small business owners with little to no return on their investment.
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Questionable Giveaways: In November 2025, $7 million in county tax dollars were awarded to 16 non-profit organizations, raising concerns about accountability, transparency, and whether these funds address essential county responsibilities.
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Speculative Housing Spending: The County committed $5 million to a Housing Opportunity Fund in October 2025 focused on select areas of Wake County—without private-sector or philanthropic matching partners—placing the full financial risk on taxpayers.
Wake County should re-examine its revenue sources, lower the tax burden where possible, and refocus spending on core services that benefit all residents. Fiscal discipline, conservancy, and taxpayer fairness must come first.