Leesburg commissioner proposes $150,000 after‑school and summer enrichment program; motion to fund fails

A City of Leesburg commissioner proposed a $150,000 Community Redevelopment Agency‑funded after‑school and summer enrichment program for students in the Carver Heights/Montclair/Wesleysburg CRA area during the Sept. 22 meeting, but the commission did not approve funding after a motion failed for lack of a second.

The presenting commissioner described a program targeted to fifth, sixth and seventh graders, proposing summer and after‑school enrichment focused on math, reading (language arts), civics and the arts. The proposal called for a single program director with an education background, use of CRA funding, volunteer teachers and host sites in CRA churches. The presenter said the intent was to start as a summer program (June–August) and, if successful, continue with after‑school hours during the school year.

Commissioners and staff raised several substantive questions. One commissioner asked whether the program would duplicate services already offered by the Boys & Girls Club; the presenter said program goals and age focus would differ and that previous feedback suggested some local students and parents did not participate in the Boys & Girls Club offerings. Another commissioner asked about enrollment assumptions; the presenter said the goal was about 25 students per grade (approximately 75 total).

City attorney Grant addressed liability concerns, telling the commission that exposure depends on the structure. "I think the more involvement you have, again, with operating a program particularly, there's some chance for that kind of thing to happen," Grant said, adding that providing funding to a nonprofit or other organization generally carries less exposure than the city directly operating the program.

Staff and other commissioners urged more planning. City staff confirmed there were unallocated CRA funds available (staff said roughly $164,000 in unallocated FY26 CRA monies and an additional reserve balance), but several commissioners said they wanted more time for coordination with the Boys & Girls Club, the Lake County School Board and for a clearer oversight and accountability plan. One commissioner suggested delaying a decision by a month or two and focusing first on a summer pilot.

A motion was made at the meeting to accept the educational proposal and include it in the budget, but the motion failed for lack of a second. Separately, the commission approved a $150,000 allocation to update the Carver Heights Montclair CRA master plan.

Why it matters: the proposal sought to use CRA funds to create a locally run youth enrichment option for middle‑grade students. Commissioners flagged duplicate services, oversight and liability as central considerations before committing city funds.

Source excerpts from the meeting transcript are available for the parts of the discussion and the legal staff's remarks.