Leesburg council adopts FY2026 budget, keeps 17.74¢ real‑property tax rate; approves $367.6M CIP and $399K safety kit contract

The Leesburg Town Council on May 20 adopted the fiscal year 2026 budget, approved a six‑year Capital Improvements Program (CIP) and kept the 2025 real‑property tax rate unchanged.

At a public hearing with no members of the public speaking, Liz Weaver, acting deputy management and budget officer for the town, presented the staff recommendation that the tax rate remain at 17.74¢ per $100 of assessed value for tax year 2025. Weaver said, “The FY 2026 proposed budget recommends no change for tax year 2025. The current real estate tax rate is 17.74 per $100 of assessed value.” She told the council that each one‑cent change in the rate is valued at approximately $1,340,000 for the town.

The council adopted the tax ordinance and related fee schedule by roll call vote, 7–0. The roll call recorded Councilmember Krakowski, Councilmember Nacey, Councilmember Steinberg, Councilmember Cummings, Councilmember Wilt, Vice Mayor Seminole Johnson and Mayor Burke as voting aye.

Why it matters: the council's decision sets the town's revenue baseline for the coming fiscal year and keeps the rate at the level included in the town manager's proposed budget. Weaver told the council that lowering the rate to the homeowners’ equalized rate of 16.62¢ would require roughly $1.5 million in expenditure reductions.

Details of the budget presentation and votes

Weaver summarized the town’s taxable real property portfolio for tax year 2025: about $9.5 billion in residential property (71% of the total) and $3.9 billion in commercial property (29%). She said total taxable value increased 17.7% for tax year 2025 and that growth in residential assessments for existing properties rose 6.72%, with new parcels adding 1.2% to residential assessments. Using the proposed rate of 17.74¢, Weaver said the average residential tax bill for tax year 2025 would be $1,118 (an increase she described as $70 per year on average), with variation by housing type.

The council next approved the town’s fiscal year 2026–2031 Capital Improvements Program. Councilmember [motion mover not specified in the record] moved to adopt the CIP. The council approved the CIP in the amount of $367,643,453 by majority voice vote, 7–0.

Later, the council voted on the ordinance to adopt the FY2026 budget and make appropriations for the general, utilities and capital projects funds. Councilmember Cummings moved to adopt the budget, and the motion was seconded by Councilmembers Steinberg and Krakowski. The budget ordinance passed 5–2. The meeting record identifies Councilmember Wilt and Vice Mayor Seminole Johnson as the two members voting no; the other five members voted aye. The motion’s text directed the town manager to take steps necessary to implement the ordinance.

Contract award for event safety equipment

Councilmembers also approved a contract award for mobile vehicle barrier kits. The council voted 7–0 to award a contract to Meridian Rapid Defense Group for $399,257.31 for mobile vehicle barrier kits “to improve safety at public events.” Town staff told the council that the final price was about $30,000 higher than earlier estimates; the council member who introduced the item noted that change before the vote.

What the council did not decide tonight

Council discussion at the meeting did not change the tax rate or budget amounts beyond the motions recorded. No additional actions or amendments were adopted during the vote on the tax ordinance or the CIP.

Votes at a glance

- Ordinance: Set real‑property tax rate for tax year 2025 at 17.74¢ per $100 of assessed value (and amend Appendix B fee schedule). Motion: approve proposed ordinance setting real taxable property rate and certain personal property rates. Outcome: approved 7–0 (roll call recorded Krakowski, Nacey, Steinberg, Cummings, Wilt, Vice Mayor Seminole Johnson and Mayor Burke as voting yes). Notes: staff presentation by Liz Weaver; no public speakers at the hearing.

- Resolution: Adopt FY2026–2031 Capital Improvements Program. Motion: approve proposed resolution adopting CIP. Outcome: approved 7–0. Total CIP amount adopted: $367,643,453 (revised final figure presented at meeting).

- Ordinance: Adopt FY2026 budget and make appropriations for FY2026. Motion: adopt budget ordinance (motion by Councilmember Cummings). Outcome: approved 5–2. Vote record: Krakowski (yes), Nacey (yes), Steinberg (yes), Cummings (yes), Wilt (no), Vice Mayor Seminole Johnson (no), Mayor Burke (yes). Notes: motion authorized the town manager to take implementation steps.

- Contract award: Meridian Rapid Defense Group — mobile vehicle barrier kits, $399,257.31. Motion: award contract. Outcome: approved 7–0. Notes: staff told council final pricing was approximately $30,000 more than earlier figures.

Next steps

The tax ordinance and budget ordinance become effective under the town’s adoption procedures; the town manager is authorized to implement the budget and to take steps necessary to effectuate the ordinances and appropriations. The town will proceed with ordering the mobile vehicle barrier kits and implementing projects listed in the adopted CIP.

Background and context

Town staff noted that the homeowners’ equalized rate (16.62¢) differs from the current levy and that moving to that rate would require service reductions or other budget offsets of about $1.5 million. The council’s votes concluded the town’s scheduled budget and tax‑rate hearings and actions for this fiscal cycle.