Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Budget Overview topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Leesburg City workshop outlines FY2027 budget priorities, holds $1.27M in reserve
Summary
City staff presented FY2027 projections at a July 9 budget workshop, highlighting discretionary sales tax growth to $4.00M, planned transfers for police and fire equipment, and a $1.27M unallocated balance left for future capital projects including Susan Street and the marina.
Presenter reviewed Leesburg City’s FY2027 budget projections on July 9, saying the city expects discretionary sales tax receipts to rise from about $3.7 million last year to roughly $4.0 million for FY2027 and describing how those funds will be used.
“Last year we budgeted to bring in $3,700,000,” the Presenter said, and staff proposed using most of the discretionary sales tax to transfer to the general fund for police vehicle leases, to support fire SCBA apparatus purchases and to fund previously discussed capital items. The Presenter and staff said they are leaving approximately $1,200,000–$1,270,000 unallocated to allow flexibility for larger projects later in the fiscal year.
Why it matters: staff framed the holdback as a way to balance finishing ongoing projects (including Susan Street, the marina, and a downtown parking lot) with readiness to take on new capital needs if they arise. Staff estimated unspent DST could combine with future receipts to support projects in '28 with totals noted up to $2.4 million.
Commissioners and staff also discussed gas-tax accounting, building-permit revenue growth, housing assistance, debt service and enterprise funds. On gas tax, the Presenter said $800,000 is being transferred to the general fund to cover the city’s downtown street-lighting costs (paid to Leesburg Electric) and $310,000 to capital projects for pothole and asphalt replacement.
A commissioner questioned several line items and asked for clarification on travel and membership/publication expenses (travel rose from about $38,000 to $75,000 in the draft; publication/membership moved from roughly $7,500 to $30,000). Staff committed to provide line-item detail by the next regular meeting.
On housing assistance, staff described a rent-subsidy program tied to one house and a 12-unit apartment complex. Staff said the program’s goal is to help tenants toward homeownership and that the target turnover length is about one year, but average stay data and turnover metrics were not specified; staff said they will provide those details later.
The Presenter described the debt service fund as an accounting vehicle for bond and loan payments and noted one debt stream (body cameras) will conclude this year. Capital-projects materials show about $18.8 million in ongoing projects with about $2.9 million still to be paid and the $1.27 million DST holdback left for future allocations.
The meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn that carried; no formal votes on budget adoption were taken at the workshop.
