The task force, consisting of representatives from the county's municipalities, is charged with preparing and presenting county-wide growth issues, strategies and recommendations to municipal and county governing boards.

The first meeting will include an overview of the task force process as well as county growth needs, trends and critical issues, according to a media release. During the meeting, members will select approximately three to four critical growth issues.

The task force will meet monthly and is expected to complete its work by January 2009. Commissioner Betty Lou Ward will serve as chair of the Task Force, the release said.

The U.S. Census Bureau recently reported that 832,970 people resided in Wake County on July 1, 2007 – an increase of over 205,000 residents since the April 1, 2000 Census count. Last year, Wake County grew by more than 38,800 people, ranking seventh nationally in that category, the release said.

The meeting will be held from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., in the ground floor conference room of the Wake County Public Safety Center, 330 South Salisbury Street, Raleigh.

Get $150+ in coupons in every Sunday N&O. Click here for convenient home delivery.