The Leesburg Town Council officially approved its Fiscal Year 2026 budget and six-year Capital Improvements Program on March 25, keeping the town’s real estate tax rate unchanged while investing in public safety, infrastructure, and a few notable local landmarks.
The total budget comes in at $157.1 million, spanning the General Fund, Capital Projects, and Utilities. The real estate tax rate remains at 17.74 cents per $100 of assessed value, but homeowners will still see a slight bump in their bills due to rising assessments. The average residential tax bill is expected to go up by about $70 a year, or roughly $5.87 a month, thanks to a 6.7% increase in home values.
The General Fund, which supports the bulk of town operations, is set at $87 million. Some key staffing additions were approved, including:
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A new Cybersecurity Officer for the IT department
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A Police Lieutenant and Police IT Manager
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A Transportation Engineer
Two historic sites in town are also getting a boost. The Council allocated $100,000 to the George C. Marshall International Center for a future visitor center and $25,000 to the cemetery restoration project at St. James’ Episcopal Church. These funds came from the town’s Unassigned Fund Balance.
The Capital Improvements Program (CIP) looks further ahead, mapping out 75 projects over the next six years, including 12 new ones. Totaling $367.6 million, the CIP ramps up funding for street paving and includes a new Pavement and Bridges Manager to oversee the work.
Coming up next fiscal year: the long-awaited expansion and renovation of the Leesburg Police Department Public Safety Center is expected to wrap up. The Town also plans to open Veterans Park at Balls Bluff and new pickleball courts near Freedom Park.
On the utilities side, $39.7 million has been budgeted for operations and infrastructure, with $8.1 million dedicated to capital projects. As part of the second year of a five-year rate plan, residential utility bills will rise by about 4.1%.
Also of note: the $25 vehicle license fee is officially gone, and personal property tax for qualifying elderly and disabled residents with vehicles has been reduced to zero. The standard personal property tax rate remains at $1 per $100 for motor vehicles and business property.
Mayor Kelly Burk said the Council struck a balance between holding the tax rate steady and making smart investments:
“The investments made by the Council will enhance our public safety and cybersecurity efforts; dedicate additional funding towards paving neighborhood streets; and provide the core Town services that our residents and businesses expect every day.”
You can view the full budget and project details on the town’s website: www.leesburgva.gov/budget
