Leesburg EAC weighs FY27 budget items: water stations, native plants and festival spending
November 04, 2025 | Leesburg, Loudoun, Virginia
This article was created by AI summarizing key points discussed. AI makes mistakes, so for full details and context, please refer to the video of the full meeting. Please report any errors so we can fix them. Report an error »
Staff reminded the panel that FY27 budget requests are due in December and asked commissioners to submit estimates for one-time and recurring items. Commissioners discussed several proposals: a water bottle filling station for community events, a native-plant installation on the town green, and funding for Flower & Garden outreach and prizes.
Commissioners reported Parks & Rec told them the town cannot support the filling station for 2026 due to budget rules and insisted the item be included in its own budget line even if a sponsor would underwrite the service. Rental figures cited in discussion were roughly $4,000 for a single event and about $5,000 for two units; a purchase would create responsibility for storage, cleaning and maintenance.
Commissioners suggested options: (1) request rental funding for events as a recurring line, (2) include a modest Flower & Garden request (staff noted the commission’s usual line has been $3,500) and reduce that ask to preserve funds for a water-station pilot, or (3) pursue corporate sponsorships if Town procurement rules allow. Staff agreed to ask Parks & Rec events staff (Billy) and Rich for a written explanation of the town’s requirements for sponsorships and whether a sponsor can fund equipment without adding a budget line.
Separately, commissioners agreed to put a native-plant installation on the FY27 request as a one-time item; one commissioner estimated the cost at approximately $4,500. The commission also discussed prize funding for an arts contest tied to COPPA; an initial estimate for artwork prizes and materials was about $3,300.
Next steps: commissioners will collect final cost estimates and staff will seek written guidance from Parks & Rec about sponsorship and budgeting rules so the EAC can finalize and vote on its FY27 requests at the next meeting.
View full meeting
This article is based on a recent meeting—watch the full video and explore the complete transcript for deeper insights into the discussion.
View full meetingSponsors
Proudly supported by sponsors who keep Virginia articles free in 2025
