Full name: Vicki Scroggins-Johnson
Party affiliation: Democrat
Campaign website: vicki4morrisville.com
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 Morrisville’s town council?
Morrisville is at a turning point as it reaches full buildout. Difficult decisions lie ahead as we shape the town’s development and prepare for thoughtful redevelopment. I have worked tirelessly to build a strong foundation for Morrisville and I am prepared to meet the challenges that come next.
I am an innovative, collaborative, and practical leader. Morrisville is a welcoming and vibrant town that has experienced rapid growth over the past 20 years. As the town has developed, investment in infrastructure and services has been essential to ensure a strong foundation for the residents and businesses who live, work, and play here. In alignment with community input, I have expanded Morrisville’s road network, added public safety facilities, extended greenways, upgraded and added new parks, modernized government technology, enhanced public works services, and successfully advocated for new public schools.
I take the responsibility of allocating public funds seriously. I routinely challenge our staff to share the total cost of projects—implementation plus ongoing operating costs. Careful financial planning is necessary to maintain Morrisville’s AAA bond rating, which we’ve held since 2013. Since 2020, the town has seen an exponential increase in construction and material costs. Inflation is a known contributor, but competition from neighboring communities for development and services has also driven project bids higher. Even with outside funding from federal, state, and local grants, the town has had to increase its investment.
I am an effective leader on the Town Council. I listen. I ask tough questions. I ensure projects get completed. I speak up and request changes to processes or projects when they are no longer fit for purpose or become cost-prohibitive. And, as a council, we are getting it done– all while maintaining one of the lowest property tax rates in Wake County.
2) What would your priorities be as a member of the town council? Please identify three of the most pressing issues Morrisville currently faces and how you believe the town should address them.
Morrisville is at a turning point as it reaches full buildout. Difficult decisions lie ahead as we shape the town’s final development and prepare for thoughtful redevelopment. I have worked tirelessly to build a strong foundation for Morrisville, and I am prepared to meet the challenges that come next.
My key areas of focus for 2025 are:
1. Strong Community and Quality of Life
2. Economic Resilience
3. Managed Growth
4. Expanded Road Network and Transit Options
1) Strong Community and Quality of Life
Foster a welcoming, inclusive environment where residents feel connected, safe, and proud to call Morrisville home. Invest in parks, cultural programs, public safety, public works, and community events that enrich daily life.
2) Economic Resilience
Support a diverse and sustainable local economy by attracting innovative businesses, nurturing small enterprises, and preparing for future market shifts. Promote workforce development and strategic partnerships that keep Morrisville competitive.
3) Managed Growth
Guide development with intention—balancing residential, commercial, and environmental needs. Ensure that growth aligns with the town’s long-term vision, infrastructure capacity, and community values.
4) Expanded Road Network and Transit Options
Improve mobility through strategic road expansions, multimodal transit solutions, and regional connectivity. Prioritize walkability, bike infrastructure, and public transportation to reduce congestion and increase accessibility.
3) What’s the best or most important thing the Morrisville town council has done in the past year? Additionally, name a decision you believe the town should have handled differently. Please explain your answers.
What Worked: In 2025, I believe the most important decision, besides maintaining the property tax rate, was to reduce the cost of the Public Works Building project. At the Town Council retreat in January 2025, I challenged the Town Council to reconsider the over budget Public Works project and find an existing building that the town could modify. The Town Council was in support. Staff identified and purchased an existing building. This strategic decision significantly reduced the overall cost of the project from over $30 million to approximately $22 million in total capital expenses.
Public Works Project Benefits: 1) Operational Efficiency; 2) Modern Infrastructure; 3) Cost Savings (including accelerated project delivery); 4) Strategic Location; 5) Supports Morrisville’s expanding infrastructure.
In 2025, the Town lost its future rail station. Early warnings were not shared with Town Council and the community regarding the removal of Morrisville’s planned rail station from the CAMPO regional plan.
What didn’t Work: In January 2025, the Town Council was informed that RTP had effectively secured an Amtrak station just a few miles from Morrisville’s TOD. Because Amtrak spaces its stops strategically, this meant Morrisville would no longer be considered for a rail stop. While securing an Amtrak station is a long and complex process, the Town Council was not made aware of the negotiations in time to advocate for Morrisville before the RTP deal was finalized.
Without a rail stop, Morrisville could pursue a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) station. However, a new BRT station is already being planned for Apex, further limiting Morrisville’s regional mobility options.
The loss of both the rail and bus station will have a significant impact on the TOD and on Morrisville’s long-term transportation strategy. These missed opportunities underscore the need for earlier engagement, transparent communication, and proactive advocacy when regional decisions affect our town’s future.
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 town council can or should do to ensure safe, welcoming communities for immigrants in light of these policies?
Morrisville’s strength lies in its diversity, and I believe our Town Council has a responsibility to ensure that every resident—regardless of immigration status—feels safe, respected, and welcome.
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. How would you like the town council to address climate resilience, particularly flooding?
Morrisville has already taken important steps through its Stormwater Master Plan, which outlines how we manage runoff, protect water quality, and reduce flood risk. But we must go further:
• Accelerate Stormwater Infrastructure Upgrades: We need to prioritize aging culverts, pipes, and detention basins.
• Expand Green Infrastructure: Rain gardens, permeable pavement, bioswales, and tree canopy expansion help absorb stormwater naturally.
• Protect and Restore Natural Buffers: Preserving wetlands, stream corridors, and floodplains is essential.
• Update Development Standards: As Morrisville nears full buildout, we must ensure that redevelopment and infill projects meet modern stormwater standards.
• Engage the Community: Residents play a key role. The Town can expand education on flood preparedness, rain barrel programs, and responsible landscaping to reduce runoff.
• Coordinate Regionally: Flooding doesn’t stop at town borders.
I’m committed to ensuring Morrisville is prepared, protected, and proactive.
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 placed real strain on local governments across the Triangle, and Morrisville is no exception. This year, the Town made the difficult decision to place the Crabtree Nature Park project on indefinite hold and return the associated PARTF grant. While disappointing, this choice reflects our commitment to fiscal responsibility and transparency in the face of rising costs and competing priorities.
To navigate funding gaps and support impacted residents, I believe the Town Council must:-
– Prioritize Core Services and Infrastructure: We must focus our limited resources on essential services—public safety, stormwater upgrades, road improvements, and community programs that directly impact daily life.
– Reassess Capital Projects: As we did with Crabtree Nature Park, we should continue evaluating planned projects against current financial realities. If a project no longer aligns with community needs or budget capacity, we must be willing to pause, scale back, or pivot.
– Strengthen Grant Strategy and Partnerships: While federal grants may be limited, we can pursue state, regional, and private funding opportunities. Strategic partnerships with nonprofits, businesses, and regional boards can help us stretch dollars further.
– Engage the Community in Budget Decisions: Transparency builds trust. We should continue sharing clear information about trade-offs, timelines, and funding sources—so residents understand how and why decisions are made.
– Funding decisions must reflect our values: Protect vulnerable populations, and ensure that all neighborhoods benefit from Town services and infrastructure.
Difficult decisions are part of responsible governance. I’m committed to making those choices with integrity, community input, and a clear focus on Morrisville’s long-term health.
7) Describe what sustainable growth and development mean to you in the context of Morrisville’s population growth and the plans for a new town center. Additionally, what is another municipality you believe has made smart decisions related to growth and development that could be similarly implemented in Morrisville?
Managed Growth to me means that we will guide development with intention. Morrisville has a robust Land Use Plan, Transportation Plan, and Unified Development Ordinance. We need to balance residential, commercial, and environmental needs. We need to ensure growth aligns with the town’s long term vision, infrastructure capacity, and community values.
Morrisville’s Town Center aligns with sustainable growth in the following ways:
1) Provides a central gathering place via the Town Green.
2) Offers Smart Redevelopment transforming underutilized parcels into vibrant mixed-use spaces.
3) Aligns with infill development strategy.
4) Attracts local businesses and entrepreneurs.
5) Prioritizes walkability, bike infrastructure, and regional connectivity.
6) Incorporates sustainable landscaping and stormwater management.
When I think about smart growth, I use Holly Springs as an example. Like Morrisville, Holly Springs was a rural community and did not have a “downtown”. In 2007, Holly Springs Town Council engaged the community and developed the Downtown Village District. From 2008, the town invested in roads, streetscape, a new library, parks, and town hall. They improved access to their town via federal road funding for a “super street” project along NC 55. Today, Holly Springs is thriving due to their strategic vision and implementation of their plans.
8) As with most places in the Triangle, Morrisville is grappling with issues related to affordable housing. How would you like to see the town approach affordability issues over the next few years?
Morrisville has taken important steps to the housing affordability challenge in 2019 with the development of the Affordable Housing Plan and in 2022 with the adoption of the Affordable Housing Policy, which outlines strategies for increasing housing options, supporting workforce housing, and partnering with developers and nonprofits.
But there’s more we can—and must—do.
Over the next few years, I’d like to see the Town Council:
– Leverage Public-Private Partnerships
– Preserve Existing Affordable Housing
– Expand Housing Types
– Coordinate With Wake County and other Regional Municipalities
– Implement Security Deposit assistance for renters
One of the biggest challenges facing our senior residents is aging in place—especially in the face of rising property taxes. While the Town of Morrisville does not have the authority to rebate or reduce property taxes for seniors, Wake County does, through programs like the Elderly/Disabled Homestead Exclusion and the Circuit Breaker. Unfortunately, the eligibility criteria are narrow, and many seniors who need relief do not qualify.
That may soon change. The North Carolina General Assembly has introduced bipartisan legislation aimed at expanding property tax relief for older adults:
– House Bill 59 (HB 59) – Property Tax Relief for Elderly and Disabled Citizens
Expands eligibility for county-administered programs for residents 65 and older and those with permanent disabilities.
– Senate Bill 159 (SB 159) – Elderly Property Tax Appreciation Exclusion
Allows qualifying seniors to defer property taxes on increases in assessed value of their primary residence, helping them stay in their homes as values rise.
I am hopeful both bills will become law, and I will continue advocating for policies that support our senior residents. Aging in place should be a right—not a financial burden. Morrisville must work closely with Wake County and the state to ensure that seniors are not priced out of the community they helped build.
9) With its proximity to Durham, Cary, Raleigh, RTP, and RDU, connectivity and transportation are big issues in Morrisville. What should the town be doing to improve transportation and transit infrastructure, from getting road projects funded to investing in public transit projects?
First, we need to diagnose and adapt to the new project scoring method used by CAMPO (Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization). This scoring system determines which regional road and transit projects get prioritized—and over the past few years, Morrisville’s projects have been delayed while other towns have moved ahead. Understanding how CAMPO evaluates cost-benefit, equity, and congestion relief is essential to positioning our projects for success.
Second, Morrisville has already shown leadership by investing significant local funds to expand NCDOT roads, including McCrimmon Parkway and Morrisville-Carpenter Road. These investments demonstrate our commitment to regional mobility and should be leveraged to attract matching funds and accelerate future phases.
Looking ahead, I believe the Town should:
• Strengthen regional partnerships with CAMPO, GoTriangle, and neighboring municipalities to advocate for shared priorities.
• Expand transit options, including the Smart Shuttle, future bus rapid transit (BRT) connections, and last-mile solutions that serve residents and employers.
• Improve pedestrian and bike infrastructure to support safe, multimodal access across town.
• Ensure equity in transportation planning, so all neighborhoods benefit from improved mobility and reduced congestion.
Transportation is more than roads—it’s about access, opportunity, and quality of life. I’m committed to making sure Morrisville leads with strategy, transparency, and results.
10) What kinds of amenities would you like to see in Morrisville’s upcoming 25-acre town center project?
Morrisville’s upcoming 25-acre Town Center project is a transformative opportunity to create a true civic and cultural heart for our community. The project is being developed in phases, with Phase I covering 10 acres and focusing on mixed-use development—including locally owned businesses, residential units, civic spaces, and event infrastructure.
One of the most exciting features of Phase I is the new 1.5-acre Town Green, a public park designed to be our central gathering place. Originally planned for Phase II, I recommended that it be moved forward because Morrisville has waited long enough for a space that brings people together. The Town Green will include:
– An open lawn area for concerts, festivals, and community events
– Shaded seating and picnic areas for everyday use
– Misting stations to keep visitors cool in warmer months
– A play area for children and families
– An educational garden to promote sustainability and learning
– A farmer’s market zone to support local growers and entrepreneurs
– A performance stage for arts and cultural programming
This project is a public-private partnership, designed to balance economic vitality with public benefit. The next phase is still in the concept stage, but it could include additional mixed-use development, municipal buildings, and expanded park space.
I’m committed to making sure this Town Center reflects Morrisville’s values—welcoming, walkable, and community-driven. Let’s build a place where residents of all ages can connect, celebrate, and thrive.
11) If there are other issues you want to discuss, please do so here.
I humbly ask for your support in my bid for re-election to the Morrisville Town Council, District 4, on November 4th, 2025.
Serving our community has been an honor, and I remain deeply committed to transparency, fiscal responsibility, and inclusive progress. Together, we’ve made meaningful strides. With your support, I’ll continue working to ensure Morrisville remains a vibrant, connected, and resilient place for all.
Comment on this story at [email protected].