City employees in Leesburg might soon get a paid day off to enjoy one of the city’s biggest and loudest annual events.
During a budget workshop Tuesday night, city officials proposed adding the Friday of Leesburg Bikefest as a new paid holiday for city staff.
The proposal, which also includes making New Year’s Eve a paid holiday and offering a 4% salary increase to employees, is part of a strategic move by the City Commission to boost morale, retain high-quality talent, and maintain the city’s status as a competitive employer.
While the new holiday perks are an exciting prospect for the workforce, the commission’s initial planning session for the 2026-2027 fiscal year also tackled heavier financial issues, including tax rate adjustments and essential services.
A major focal point of the workshop was the substantial investment required for public safety as the city faces significant growth. The proposed budget allocates funding increases to the police department to bolster recruitment and ensure the city can offer competitive compensation for officers.
Simultaneously, the fire department is slated for a budget increase to address rising operational costs. This move is supported by a proposed 3% hike in annual fire protection assessment fees, which is projected to generate approximately $4.25 million in revenue to sustain emergency services.
The city will continue its budget discussions with three additional workshops scheduled for Thursday, July 9; Tuesday, July 14; and Thursday, July 16. All workshops will begin at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall.