Full name: Kyrone Nebolisa

Party affiliation: Democrat

Campaign website: N/A

1) In 300 words or less, please give our readers your elevator pitch: Why are you running? Why should voters entrust you with this position? What prior experience will make you an effective member of the Apex town council?

I am running for Apex town council as I have a deep passion to serve my community. As a business owner in the Apex community, I have had the opportunity to interact with the residents of Apex and to give back through my partnerships with the local school system. Through my commitment to the community, I have had the opportunity to volunteer with the Apex Chamber of Commerce and to assist new and existing businesses get settled in Apex/ Voters should entrust me with this position because I love representing my community and fighting for what they think is best for themselves and their families. 

2) What would your priorities be as a member of the town council? Please identify three of the most pressing issues Apex currently faces and how you believe the town should address them. 

My priorities as a member of the Apex town council would be to advocate for families, small businesses and affordable housing. Three of the most pressing issues Apex currently faces is the potential of a data center in our community, electricity billing issues, and the fast pace of growth in our town. I believe the town should address these issues with transparency with the billing issues and have a proactive approach with the growth and zoning of land to prevent data centers from coming to our town.

3) What’s the best or most important thing the Apex town council has done in the past year? Additionally, name a decision you believe the town should have handled differently. Please explain your answers.

One of the most important things the Apex town council has done in the past year is investing in infrastructure projects, affordable housing, and nonprofit support through the use of the American Rescue Plan Act funds. This shows the councils willingness to listen to the community and use the funds where it will benefit the community. A decision I believe the town should have handled differently is the utility billing issue. Because residents were undercharged for some time due to a network issues, the town had to add the charges back to the residents however their was lack of transparency which caused people to get high bills without understanding what happened. The town could have done a catch up approach to allow people to pay the bills over a period of time instead of a lump sum approach. Additionally, more transparency could have helped the town with the issues as well.

4) President Trump is working to ramp up deportations and curtail visas. At the same time, the state legislature has passed laws requiring agencies to cooperate with ICE. What do you think the Apex Town Council can or should do to ensure safe, welcoming communities for immigrants in light of these policies?

Apex is home to families from all walks of life, and immigrants are an important part of what makes our community strong. While federal and state laws can shift, our role at the town level is clear: to make sure every neighbor feels safe, included, and respected.
As a councilmember, I’ll focus on keeping Apex police and resources centered on community safety, not immigration enforcement. I’ll also work to improve language access for town services, support partnerships with local nonprofits and faith groups, and make sure immigrant families feel welcome to engage in town programs and civic life.

5) As climate change leads to more intense rainfall, communities are at greater risk of inland flooding, such as the historic floods in parts of the Triangle this summer, including the 200 year storm that collapsed Olive Chapel Road. How should the Apex Town Council address climate resilience, particularly flooding? 

The flooding that collapsed Olive Chapel Road was a clear reminder that Apex must be ready for stronger storms. As our town grows, we need to plan smarter and invest in ways that keep families and homes safe.

That means upgrading stormwater systems, protecting creeks and green spaces that naturally absorb water, and making sure new developments use the latest flood data. We should also focus resources on neighborhoods already dealing with flooding, so we solve problems before the next big storm.

Climate resilience is about more than infrastructure — it’s about protecting our community and keeping Apex strong for the future.

6) Federal funding cuts this year have hit the Triangle particularly hard, from cancelled grants to layoffs, and local government officials are having to make difficult decisions about what to fund and how. What are your ideas for how the town council can prioritize competing funding needs, close funding gaps, and support impacted residents?

Federal funding cuts have hit Apex and the Triangle hard, and local leaders are having to make tough choices. I believe our priority should always be protecting essential services first — things like public safety, clean water, and infrastructure.
At the same time, we need to focus on programs that directly support people — affordable housing, youth and senior services, and small business support. By building partnerships, pursuing new grants, and involving residents in budgeting decisions, we can stretch our dollars further and make sure Apex invests where it matters most.
Tough times call for smart, people-centered leadership — and that’s what I’ll bring to town council.

7) Describe what sustainable growth and development mean to you. Additionally, what is another municipality you believe has made smart decisions related to growth and development that could be similarly implemented in Apex?

For me, sustainable growth means making sure Apex grows in a way that strengthens — not strains — our community. That means new housing that people can actually afford, roads and schools that keep up with development, and protecting green spaces that make Apex such a special place to live.

We don’t need to reinvent the wheel — towns like Cary have shown how planning ahead, investing in parks, and tying growth to infrastructure can make development work for families instead of overwhelming them. I want to bring that same smart, balanced approach here in Apex.

8) In 2021, a consultant’s report identified “deeply entrenched” racial bias in the Apex police department’s culture. What progress has been made in rooting out racial bias in the Apex PD? What measures have been taken, what else should be done?

In 2021, a report revealed that racial bias was “deeply entrenched” in the Apex Police Department. Since then, the department has taken important steps, including racial equity training for all officers, appointing a Diversity Officer, creating a DEB (Diversity, Equity, and Belonging) Committee, updating policies, and improving recruitment to better reflect our community.

Moving forward, I believe continued progress requires:

  • Stronger community oversight through a Citizen Advisory Board,
  • Ongoing, scenario-based bias training,
  • Transparent reporting on arrests and use-of-force incidents, and
  • Deeper engagement with community organizations to build trust.

With these steps, Apex PD can continue evolving into an inclusive department that serves all residents fairly.

9) Apex has identified a need for 13,000 new homes over the next 10 years, including 3,600 affordable units. While Apex’s 2021 affordable housing plan has made some progress in providing affordable housing, the town hasn’t been able to keep up with an influx of new service workers. What should the town do in order to provide housing for lower income families, especially those who will be building and eventually working in the upcoming NC children’s medical facility?

Apex is growing fast, and service workers and future employees at places like the NC Children’s Medical Facility need homes they can afford. To meet this need, the town should encourage more affordable units in new developments, preserve existing homes, and partner with nonprofits and employers to create workforce housing. Smart zoning, density incentives, and faster approvals can also help get homes built sooner.
Everyone who works and lives in Apex should have a chance to stay here — that’s the kind of growth I support.

10) The Town of Apex has annexed more than 5,000 acres of land into town limits since 2013. It has also taken property by eminent domain and recently lost a lawsuit after it tried to obtain an easement for a sewer line on behalf of a private developer. What are the ethical, environmental, and quality of life considerations town leaders must take into account when acquiring property for the town’s growth?

When Apex grows through annexation or property acquisition, it’s important to balance growth with fairness, the environment, and quality of life. That means respecting property rights, being transparent with residents, protecting creeks and green spaces, and making sure roads, schools, and utilities can handle new development. Thoughtful, community-centered planning ensures that growth benefits everyone without sacrificing the character of our town.

11) If there are other issues you want to discuss, please do so here. 

Apex is growing fast, and we need leadership that keeps our town safe, affordable, and family-friendly. I’m focused on improving traffic, expanding youth and senior programs, supporting inclusive public safety, and investing in climate-resilient infrastructure. By spending wisely and involving residents in decisions, we can ensure growth benefits everyone and protects the character of our community.

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