Cary ends interim era as council confirms Overton with $344,000 pay
The council skipped a national search to retain Overton, who has overseen financial reforms since stepping in as interim manager last December.
By Abigail Brooks ·
Russ Overton officially became the permanent town manager of Cary on Thursday, concluding a roughly 11 month interim tenure.
The council voted to retain Overton rather than conduct a national search for the position. Council members cited his deep familiarity with local operations as the primary reason for the decision. Overton took over the role last December following the resignation of former Town Manager Sean Stegall.
Mayor Harold Weinbrecht stated that the town required a leader who knew Cary very well to maintain its status as a strong community. He described the past 11 months as a difficult period for the organization. Overton received applause at the swearing in ceremony and expressed pride in the team's continued accomplishments.
Overton assumed leadership during a time of financial scrutiny and internal investigations. Councilmember Carissa Kohn-Johnson noted that this environment left him with limited flexibility in his decision making. She stated that he had absolutely no wiggle room while serving as interim manager. The council chose continuity over a fresh start to ensure service stability for residents.
The new administration is implementing recommendations from recent audits. Measures discussed at Thursday's event include reviewing town credit card purchases and reinstating an internal auditor position. Overton will earn an annual salary of $344,000 under his new contract, which took effect immediately after the council vote.
Kohn-Johnson told residents to expect closer examination of spending and policy. She said the council would question every expenditure and review all policies to ensure staff and council behavior match established rules. The contract finalizes the leadership structure that has been in place since the previous manager's departure.
The decision reflects the council's preference for institutional knowledge during a period of financial restructuring. Overton's role now includes formalizing the oversight mechanisms introduced during his interim period. The $344,000 salary represents the compensation approved for the permanent position.
