Leesburg council finalizes FY26 budget markup, delays cybersecurity hire and trims recurring spending

Leesburg Town Council members completed a final markup of the town’s proposed fiscal year 2026 budget during their meeting, taking a series of straw votes to close a $647,023 gap and reach a balanced spending plan ahead of a public hearing and formal adoption.

Town Manager: “As the mayor mentioned, we are here for the final mark up tonight of your fiscal year 20 26 proposed budget,” the town manager said, summarizing the packet and revenue assumptions. The manager noted the proposed general fund increase was about $5.5 million over the FY25 adopted budget, driven in part by $2 million tied to a recent annexation and another roughly $2 million from Compass Creek real estate receipts. The annexation funds are largely being transferred to the utilities fund to offset in‑town rates for former out‑of‑town customers, the manager added.

Why it matters: The council’s action sets the parameters the town will present at a public hearing on the real‑property tax rate and for final adoption of the FY26 budget and CIP. The votes also change staffing and program timing that affect public safety, parks, stormwater compliance and information‑technology staffing.

Most significant decisions

- Staffing and personnel: By straw vote the council agreed to remove the remaining six months (effectively eliminating) a planned senior engineer position in Community Development and to remove…